COLUMBUS, Ohio – Young hunters across the Buckeye State had a highly successful weekend in the woods, significantly outpacing previous years’ results during the 2026 special youth turkey season.
According to data released today by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, youth hunters checked a total of 1,941 birds during the two-day season on April 18-19.
Strong Growth in Harvest Numbers
The 2026 results represent a notable increase in hunter success compared to previous seasons. The harvest of 1,941 turkeys is well above the three-year average (2023-2025) of 1,681 birds and marks a significant jump from the 1,625 turkeys checked during the 2025 youth weekend.
The youth season was open to hunters aged 17 and younger in Ohio’s South Zone, which covers 83 of the state’s 88 counties.
Top Performing Counties
Highland and Tuscarawas counties led the state in activity, with several other southeastern and southern counties showing strong numbers:
- Highland & Tuscarawas: 65 birds each
- Guernsey: 62 birds
- Monroe: 57 birds
- Meigs: 56 birds
- Adams, Gallia, & Harrison: 55 birds each
Northeast Zone Kickoff
While the South Zone has concluded its youth weekend, young hunters in the Northeast Zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties) are preparing for their turn. Their special youth-only season is scheduled for this coming weekend, April 25-26.
General Season Opens This Weekend
The successful youth weekend serves as the unofficial kickoff to the general spring turkey season.
- South Zone: Opens Saturday, April 25, and runs through May 24.
- Northeast Zone: Opens Saturday, May 2, and runs through May 31.
Key Regulations for Hunters:
- Limit: The season limit is one bird per hunter.
- Legal Harvest: Only bearded turkeys may be taken.
- Permits: As of April 19, the Division of Wildlife has issued 6,472 youth turkey permits.
- Game Check: Successful hunters must check their turkey by 11:30 p.m. on the day of the harvest using the HuntFish OH app, the online licensing system, or by calling 1-877-TAG-IT-OH.
For full details on regulations and licensing, hunters are encouraged to visit wildohio.gov or consult the 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet.
