Alright, bowhunters, it’s time to dust off those broadheads and start dreaming of that gobble echoing through the Ohio woods. Whether you’re chasing a bearded monster in the spring or stalking a crafty fall bird, 2025 is shaping up to be another thrilling year for turkey hunting in the Buckeye State.
Here’s the lowdown on when you can draw your bow, with a little hunter’s humor to keep your spirits high—because we all know turkeys have a PhD in making us look foolish.
Spring 2025: The Gobble Games Begin
Spring turkey season is the main event for most of us bow fanatics, and Ohio’s got it dialed in for 2025. Here’s when you can hit the woods:
- Youth Season (April 12-13): If you’ve got a young archer in the family, this is their shot—literally. From April 12 to 13, kids 17 and under get first crack at the birds. It’s the perfect excuse to skip chores and teach them the fine art of missing a turkey at 20 yards (we’ve all been there).
- South Zone (April 19-May 18): Covering 83 counties, this kicks off April 19 and runs through May 18. That’s a solid month to outsmart a tom who thinks he’s smarter than your decoy—and let’s be honest, he usually is.
- Northeast Zone (May 3-June 1): For those in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties, your season starts May 3 and stretches to June 1. A little later, sure, but those Northeast birds are worth the wait—plump and ready to test your patience.
The spring bag limit is one bearded turkey, so pick your shot wisely. You’ve got from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset to make it happen, and don’t forget to check your bird by 11:30 p.m. that day—because nothing says “hunter’s life” like fumbling with your phone in the dark after a long day in the blind.
Fall 2025: The Mystery Hunt
Now, fall turkey hunting with a bow? That’s where the real adventure kicks in. As of right now—March 24, 2025—the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) hasn’t dropped the official dates for fall 2025.
But if history’s any guide, we’re looking at an October start, likely wrapping up by late October or early November.
In 2024, it was October 1-27; 2023 gave us October 14-November 12; and 2022 stretched from October 8 to November 13.
See the pattern? It’s like trying to predict when your buddy’s finally going to show up to deer camp—close enough to plan, but keep your calendar flexible.
read.. Mastering Wild Turkey Breeding Season
Fall’s a different beast: you can take a turkey of either sex, and you’re allowed to bring a dog along to flush ‘em out. That’s right—Fido can join the hunt, turning it into a two-man (or one-man, one-dog) operation. Just imagine the stories around the campfire when your pup out-hunts your $500 bow setup.
Bag limit’s still one, so don’t get too trigger-happy with those arrows.
Gearing Up: Bowhunter’s Arsenal
Ohio’s cool with all the classics—longbows, recurves, compounds, and crossbows—so pick your poison. Minimum draw weight’s 40 pounds for traditional bows, 75 for crossbows, and your arrows need broadheads with at least two cutting edges, three-quarters of an inch wide.
Mechanicals are fair game too, which is handy when that tom struts just out of your comfort zone. License up, grab your turkey permit, and you’re good to go—unless you’re one of those lucky exempt folks, in which case, hats off to you for dodging the paperwork.
A Little Hunter’s Humor
Spring hunting’s all about that gobble that gets your heart racing—until you realize it’s coming from the wrong side of the property line. Fall’s more like a chess match with a bird that’s seen it all and isn’t impressed by your calling skills.
Either way, turkeys have a way of reminding us that the woods are their turf, and we’re just visitors with fancy sticks and strings.
Keep your sense of humor handy—it’s the best weapon when that bird you’ve been working for two hours decides to fly off with a smirk.
Plan Ahead, Stay Sharp
For spring, you’re locked and loaded with those 2025 dates—mark your calendar and start scouting now. Fall’s still a bit of a tease, so keep an eye on the ODNR website for the official word. Whether you’re in the South Zone’s wide-open spaces or the Northeast’s thick cover, Ohio’s turkey woods are calling.
Get out there, enjoy the chase, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll have a bird to show for it instead of another great story about “the one that got away.”
Happy hunting, bowhunters—may your arrows fly true and your turkeys be just a little less clever than usual!