Skip to main content

Novice Turkey Hunting Weekend

strutting tom turkeyNovice Turkey Hunting Weekend occurs on the same weekend as Youth Spring Turkey Hunting Weekend – the Saturday and Sunday before the opening day of the spring turkey season on May 1.

To participate, you must:

  • Be 16 years of age or older and have successfully completed a Hunter Education Course. Hunter Education Courses from other states are accepted.
  • You also must purchase your first hunting or combination license within one year of the first day of the Novice Turkey Hunting Weekend.

The “one-year” requirement must be met for both days of the Novice Turkey Hunting Season.  Depending on the date of purchase, a person may qualify for just one day of the two-day Novice Season.  Please plan ahead and keep these dates in mind when purchasing your first hunting or combination license.

License Requirement

As novice hunter, you are required to hold a valid Vermont resident hunting or combination license and a turkey hunting license, or a Vermont non-resident hunting or combination license and a turkey hunting license.

You must also obtain a Novice Turkey Hunting Weekend tag, which is available wherever licenses are sold, or from the department’s on-line licensing system

Get Your Tag Online

Limit

One bearded turkey.

Need to Know

  • You must be accompanied by an unarmed adult (18 years of age or older) who also holds a valid Vermont resident hunting or combination license or Vermont non-resident hunting or combination license. Landowner license exception does NOT apply to novice deer hunting weekend.
  • Shooting hours for the weekend are one half hour before sunrise to 5 p.m.  

  • The Novice Turkey Hunting Weekend tag is only valid for the Novice Turkey Hunting Weekend.

  • If your are going to hunt on private land, prior permission from the landowner is required.

  • A hunter accompanying a novice shall accompany no more than two novice hunters at one time.

  • You must report the turkey within 48 hours. 

Report Your Turkey Harvest Online

Regulations

See Vermont Fish & Wildlife Regulations for specific rules about turkey hunting.

Nice to Know

This turkey does not count towards your regular season spring limit of two bearded turkeys.

See also: