[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/top-5-turkey-hunting-states\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/top-5-turkey-hunting-states\/","headline":"Top 5 Turkey Hunting States","name":"Top 5 Turkey Hunting States","description":"Spring is upon us! \u00a0Chirping birds now compliment the early morning cup of coffee, fresh scented rains wash away winter\u2019s...","datePublished":"2015-03-30","dateModified":"2018-11-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/author\/hagosto\/#Person","name":"Hector Agosto","url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/author\/hagosto\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d7bfedbdc5ef3ed8f8df91eb37e1ffbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d7bfedbdc5ef3ed8f8df91eb37e1ffbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Legendary Whitetails","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/logo-legendary-whitetails.png","url":"http:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/logo-legendary-whitetails.png","width":522,"height":226}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/TurkeyStrut.jpg","url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/TurkeyStrut.jpg","height":970,"width":1408},"url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/top-5-turkey-hunting-states\/","about":["News"],"wordCount":1919,"keywords":["News"],"articleBody":"Spring is upon us! \u00a0Chirping birds now compliment the early morning cup of coffee, fresh scented rains wash away winter\u2019s paleness, temperatures begin to warm, and best of all, the rising sun acts as an orchestra conductor, sounding off thunderous toms and yelping hens!\u00a0 Ahhh, another hunting season has arrived.The restoration of wild turkey populations across the country is one of the greatest feats of modern conservation.\u00a0 They currently exist in all 50 states, yup, you can actually book a turkey hunt while vacationing in Hawaii!\u00a0 While so many states offer great turkey hunting opportunities, I set out to ask some of the leaders in the field to give me a list of their Top 5 Turkey Hunting States.\u00a0 The results were clear, and they indicate the abundance of turkeys throughout the U.S., as 18 separate states were listed out of a possible 30 different choices from the six \u201cseasoned\u201d turkey hunters.\u00a0 Take a look and see how your state faired.\u00a0 However, don\u2019t be discouraged if it’s not listed, it\u2019s probably just because they haven\u2019t hunted there yet.The Top 5 Turkey Hunting Destinations:Florida \u2013 Having the earliest season in the U.S. and only place to chase Osceolas, it’s no surprise that\u00a0Florida stood apart\u00a0as\u00a0a must-hunt\u00a0destination\u00a0on 5 out of the 6 hunters’ lists.Missouri \u2013 The heart of the Eastern Turkey range and source of many transplanted birds that contributed to population restoration success across many states, especially in the Great Lakes Region. \u00a0The abundant population and generous two bird limit\u00a0ranked Missouri\u00a0high on 3 out of the 6 lists.Kansas \u2013 It\u2019s as good of a turkey hunting state as it is a deer hunting state.\u00a0 Kansas offers the chance to chase 3 subspecies within state lines: Easterns, Hybrids, and Rios\u2026no wonder it ranked within the Top 5 on 3 out of the 6 hunter\u2019s lists.Nebraska \u2013 A premiere destination to chase Merriams\u2019 and Hybrids.\u00a0 Tags are over-the-counter for residents and non-residents alike, and they offer a special early archery season, which put Nebraska in the Top 5 on 3 out of the 6 hunters\u2019 lists.South Dakota \u2013 Narrowly edging out Kentucky for the final spot in the Top 5, South Dakota\u2019s strong Merriam\u2019s population makes it a popular destination for those chasing a grand slam.\u00a0 The diverse landscape and multiple subspecies allowed\u00a0South Dakota to crack the Top 5 on 2 out of the 6 hunter’s\u00a0lists.Below you can see how the pro\u2019s ranked their favorite turkey hunting states.Aaron Warbritton \u2013 The Hunting PublicMissouri \u2013 There\u2019s something special about hunting on your family farm that\u2019s been around for 3+ generations.\u00a0 It may not always be the best turkey hunting, but it\u2019s certainly where I enjoy hunting the most.\u00a0 I took my first deer and turkey off this property and it\u2019s where I get to spend a lot of time hunting with my family and friends. \u00a0Nowadays, taking youth hunters out is by far my favorite way to experience the hunt.Rounding out his Top 5:TennesseeKansasWyomingFloridaFollow The Hunting Public Crew\u00a0on YouTube for daily updates as they’ve kicked off their Public Land Turkey Tour in Alabama this week!Pat Reeves \u2013 Driven with Pat and NicoleMinnesota \u2013 Our favorite Turkey State is Minnesota. The reason I love it so much is because I have a true vested interest and love for the reintroduction of the wild turkey back into Minnesota. Back in the way early days before I started my filming career, I worked for the Minnesota Department of Natural Recourses as a Turkey Trapper. For several years I helped spread turkeys throughout Minnesota and even around the current area we live and hunt. \u00a0Thus,\u00a0I take great pride in knowing that I have\u00a0helped reintroduce a true success story in Minnesota and\u00a0other sportsman can enjoy the same passion. Every time I hear that early morning first gobble I think back to those early days sitting in the blind waiting for turkeys to show up so we could rocket net them and relocate them to their new home in different parts of Minnesota.I also love my home state because it\u2019s a place I can take my kids and the state has made it easy for kids to get a license without any costs. I also feel that my success in my home state is reflected on how easy it is to scout and locate turkeys and turkey sign before the hunt starts.Rounding out his Top 5:FloridaSouth DakotaTexasIllinoisCJ Davis \u2013 Montana Decoy CompanySouth Carolina –\u00a0It’s my home state and where I learned to turkey hunt, killed my first and will always be special to me. I love hunting the pines and hardwood bottoms. The turkeys are tough, but you learn to become a better turkey hunter. I love the challenge.Rounding out his Top 5:GeorgiaMontanaKentuckyAlabamaDr. Grant Woods \u2013 Growingdeer.tvMissouri \u2013 Missouri is my favorite state – LOTS of public land with LOTS of turkeys!\u00a0 Missouri turkeys respond well to calls and you can find places where they aren’t pressured.\u00a0 Great springtime fishing also! \u00a0One negative to MO is that you\u00a0can only hunt until 1pm in the afternoons.Rounding out his Top 5:KansasNebraskaFloridaOklahomaJosh Dahlke \u2013 ScoutLookNebraska \u2013 The Cornhusker State offers a variety of habitat and terrain types for the adventurous traveling turkey hunter. From the magical Pine Ridge on the west side of the state, to the Missouri River on the eastern border, hunters have much to experience in Nebraska. Turkey numbers are high and you\u2019ll find thriving populations of the handsome Merriam\u2019s subspecies in the northwest, along with beautiful hybrids spread throughout most of the state. Tags are over the counter for residents and nonresidents in the state of Nebraska, and hunters can kill up to three birds, making it a rich destination for savvy turkey friends who want to kill multiple birds during one trip. An early archery season starts in late March, which is a great opportunity for avid bowhunters who can\u2019t wait until mid-April to go after gobblers. For even earlier hunting, look to the Winnebago Indian Reservation on the east side of the state. All things considered, Nebraska is a tough state to beat when it comes to chasing spring strutters.Rounding out his Top 5:WisconsinFloridaSouth Dakota (Black Hills)MaineAdam Keith \u2013\u00a0Land & LegacyMissouri \u2013 There aren’t many things I find more exciting than chasing big ol\u2019 Easterns in my home state. With Missouri having one of the highest populations of turkeys in the nation, a two bird limit, and a 3 week season, it\u2019s a \u201cmust-hunt\u201d state for any turkey hunter!Rounding out his Top 5:KansasNebraskaFloridaKentucky "},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Legendary Whitetail's Blog"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/top-5-turkey-hunting-states\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Top 5 Turkey Hunting States"}}]}]