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For up-to-date information on North Carolina licenses, regulations and other wildlife resources, please visit the agency’s website NCWildlife.org.
Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo Classification: Big Game Abundance: Common throughout state
Species Profile (pdf)
When early European settlers arrived in America turkeys were plentiful in North Carolina and were probably found throughout the entire state. By the turn of the century, however, few turkeys remained.
The decline was primarily due to unregulated and heavy market hunting, rapid deforestation and habitat destruction throughout the state. This decline continued into the 1960s.
Turkeys are once again common in North Carolina, thanks to a restoration program implemented by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission that involved live-trapping and relocating wild turkeys from sites in North Carolina and other states to areas in the state where the bird had previously disappeared.
The male eastern wild turkey has dark plumage with striking bronze, copper and green iridescent colors. On the inside of their legs, males have pointed growths known as spurs that they use when battling other males for mates.
Males also have a growth of bristle-like feathers known as the “beard” that extends from the chest. It is not uncommon, however, to find females with a beard. The head and neck of adult males is largely bare and varies in color from red to blue to white, depending on the bird’s mood. Females are usually duller in color than males, which help camouflage them while they are nesting.
The eastern wild turkey thrives best in areas with a mix of forested and open land habitats. Forested areas are used for cover, foraging, and for roosting in trees at night. Open land areas are used for foraging, mating, and brood rearing.
Since 1953, 6,031 wild turkeys have been released on 358 restoration sites across the state. Almost three-fourths of these birds (4,443) have been relocated just since 1990. Wild turkey restoration is now complete in North Carolina.
Since 1989, 1,744 wild turkeys have been acquired from other states (AL, AR, CT, IA, MI, PA, SC, VA, & WI) through the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Super Fund Program to supplement in-state trapping efforts. These birds were acquired at cost of $925,727 ($608,000 was funded by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and $309,477 was funded by the NC State Chapter, NWTF). An additional 150 birds were acquired from West Virginia in a trade for 100 river otters.
The wild turkey population has increased from an estimated 2,000 birds in 1970 to an estimated 265,000 birds in 2015.
Wild turkeys now exist in all 100 counties in the state and all 100 counties now have a spring gobbler season.
The reported wild turkey harvest has increased from 144 birds in 1977, when mandatory reporting began, to 8,846 birds in 2004. The first winter harvest in over three decades was held in nine counties in January of 2004 with 181 birds being reported for a combined total harvest in 2004 of 9,027 birds.
Visit the Publications page for more information about turkeys in North Carolina!
Wild Turkeys Released (restoration ended in 2005)
1950 - 1969
176
1970 - 1979
379
1980 - 1989
943
1990 - 2005
4,443
Total
6,031
Estimated Population (updated every 5 years)
Year
State
1970
2,000
1980
7,500
1985
14,000
1990
28,000
1995
85,000
2000
130,000
2005
150,000
2010
260,000
2015
265,000
2020
270,000
Wild Turkey Density Maps (PDF)
You can also call 800-I-GOT-ONE (800-446-8663) to report your harvest.
Review a list of your previous harvests with authorization numbers. You can also print a personalized harvest certificate for display.
Maps that have been compiled by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission as an aid to hunters, trappers and fishermen who use the two million acres of North Carolina game lands.
Black Bear
2022-2023 Seasons
White-tail Deer
2022-2023 Season/ Urban Archery
White-tail Deer Seasons
Limits Deer Urban Archery Season
Deer Zones Maps
Wild Turkey
*LIVE Current Season Reported Harvest Totals*
Spring Harvest Summaries By County
Spring Harvest Summaries By Game Land
Spring Harvest Summaries By Weapon Type
Spring Harvest Summaries By Youth Hunt Only
2019
2018
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
2016-2020 Turkey Hunting and Harvest Estimate Maps
1949-2019 Turkey Estimated Harvest and Hunter Trends
NOTE: All files are in PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader® to read reports. If you don't have Reader, use this link to get the latest version.
If you would like to participate in the annual Deer Hunter Observation Survey which is used to collect fall turkey observations, please use the following survey/enrollment form.
Deer Hunter Observation Survey Results, 2014-2017 (pdf)
Deer Hunter Observation Survey Results (Short Summary), 2014-2017 (pdf)