Our wild turkeys are calling
Nonresidents
Nonresident Spring Turkey permits sold out January 14th. Nonresident Youth and Landowner spring turkey permits are available for purchase.
Residents
Resident spring turkey permits are available now through May 31, 2025. Nebraska residents may purchase up to two spring permits.
Nebraska is a great turkey hunting destination. Since their reintroduction in the Pine Ridge in 1959, wild turkeys have been wildly successful in Nebraska. Just 28 Merriam’s were released at the time, and their numbers increased quickly and steadily. Reintroductions and transplants over the following decades led turkeys to establish across the state.
Hybrid Merriam’s — a cross with a game-farm variety — has thrived in Nebraska’s open landscape. Its success means most turkeys are a mix of two or more breeds. Turkeys in the panhandle and Niobrara River valley are most consistent in showing plumage characteristics of the Merriam’s subspecies.
Recent hunting season changes reflect changing wild population numbers, but hunters in pursuit of turkeys can still find opportunities, affordable permits and public access.
Several recent changes have been made to address a wild turkey population decline over the past 10 years in Nebraska.
Hunters will find good turkey opportunities on more than 1 million acres of publicly accessible land in Nebraska.
Proper identification of the sex of a turkey before the shot is taken is a legal requirement during the spring turkey season, when only males and bearded females may be harvested. Correct reporting of the age and sex of turkeys by hunters after the kill is valuable in managing wild turkeys. Each fall and spring, Game and Parks staff survey a portion of turkey hunters and ask them questions about the hunt. The reported age and sex information is used in making turkey management decisions for the following year.
The head and neck of male birds are scantily feathered compared to the female, and a hen lacks the distinctive fleshy folds of skin that mark the male. Bumps called caruncles, the snood (a protuberance hanging over the beak) and the dewlap (protuberance hanging from the neck) take on either a brilliant, deep red color or a pale blue color during the gobbler’s breeding display. A bristle or filament beard extends from the midline of the gobbler’s upper breast.
Male turkeys and some females (about five percent) have beards. Growth rate is normally 4-5 inches per year, so it is common for juvenile males to have beards less than 6 inches long and for age two and older males to have beards greater than 6 inches in length. Normal wear and tear causes beards to wear and break so beard length varies considerably in older birds and may be less than 6 inches on occasion.
The breast feathers of a hen are fringed in white or buff, making hens appear frosted or light gray. Male breast feathers are fringed in black, making them appear darker than the female.
Juvenile birds of both sexes have small “button” spurs. The males’ spurs continue to grow, becoming pointed, curved and sharp.
Because of the sequence of feather replacement, the middle feathers of a juvenile bird’s tail are longer than the other tail feathers. Adults’ tail feathers are of equal length.
The following pictures can be used to help you in determining the age and sex of your turkey. Because of the sequence of feather replacement, the middle feathers of a juvenile bird’s tail are longer than the other tail feathers. Adults’ tail feathers are of equal length.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has produced a series of educational turkey hunting videos. Learn more about equipment, techniques, turkey biology and more.
Each year, turkey hunter surveys are conducted at the end of the spring and fall seasons. The information obtained is summarized online. Our surveys go back to 2015.
Hunting permits
Purchase hunting, big game and turkey permits, as well as supertags and combo lotteries.
Telecheck
The Nebraska Telecheck Program allows hunters to check deer or antelope by telephone or online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, other than during the nine-day firearm season.
Rules, orders & regulations
Find the current orders, rules and regulations for Nebraska's fish, game and park spaces.
