In some areas, turkey season is here. In others, it won’t be long. While most turkey hunters hunt in-state as residents, some choose to travel to distant lands. The allure of hunting turkeys in new places is part of the adventure, and they enjoy seeing more of God’s creation.
Of course, those planning an out-of-state turkey hunt might be on a budget, and thus, it’s important to know expected costs. Turkey hunting licenses and tags are part of that, and so, the following are some of the states that offer non-resident turkey hunting licenses and tags for $150 or less.
Editor’s Note: This was the researched licensing structure but check your wildlife agency or DNR website for the latest and most accurate hunting licensing requirements. Furthermore, additional licensing options might be available, including short-term licenses that are more economical. Contact your state agency with questions that can’t be answered online.
Best Budget States for Turkey Hunting
- Connecticut
Those who plan for a short hunt should know the following. According to Connecticut Department of Energy and Environment Protection (https://portal.ct.gov/deep/hunting/2025-connecticut-hunting-and-trapping-guide/wild-turkey-hunting), you need a “three-day, out-of-state bird hunting license or non-resident firearms hunting license or non-resident small game and deer archery permit and a game bird conservation stamp.” ($135)
Turkey Subspecies: Eastern wild turkeys
Regular Season Dates: April 30 to May 31, 2025
- Maine
One of the best turkey hunting states in the Northeast, Maine (https://www.eregulations.com/maine/hunting/licenses-fees) offers an excellent chance at big-woods birds. Non-residents hunting with a firearm need a non-resident hunting ($115) or non-resident small game hunting ($75) license and a spring or fall turkey hunting permit ($20). Non-residents hunting with a bow need a non-resident archery ($75) or non-resident six-day archery ($26) plus the $20 turkey permit.
Turkey Subspecies: Eastern wild turkeys
Regular Season Dates: April 28 to May 31, 2025
- Massachusetts
In Massachusetts (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/wild-turkey-hunting-regulations), out-of-state turkey hunters need a big game license, turkey permit, and safety sticker. A non-resident big game license is $108.50 and non-resident turkey permits are $25.
Turkey Subspecies: Eastern wild turkeys
Regular Season Dates: Zones 1-13 are April 28 to May 24, 2025
- Montana
Montana (https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/turkey) turkey hunters are destined for great sights and sounds in the backcountry. They can hunt these western birds with a combination of a base license ($15) and turkey license ($115 without an upland game bird license or $57.50 with upland game bird license).
Turkey Subspecies: Merriam’s wild turkeys, Hybrid turkeys, and Eastern wild turkeys (very small, isolated population)
Regular Season Dates: April 15 to May 31, 2025
- New Hampshire
Although a small state, New Hampshire (https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/turkey-hunting-new-hampshire) offers big turkey hunting adventures. This destination is better than some and lesser than others, but it offers respectable turkey hunting opportunities. A non-resident hunting license is $113. The turkey permit is $31.
Turkey Subspecies: Eastern wild turkeys
Regular Season Dates: May 1-31, 2025
- New York
New York (https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/turkey) isn’t just a city, it’s also a state, and it provides some excellent turkey hunting. Of course, out-of-state hunters need a non-resident hunting license and turkey permit. The license is $100, and turkey permit is $20.
Turkey Subspecies: Eastern wild turkeys
Regular Season Dates: May 1-31, 2025
- North Carolina
Another solid turkey hunting destination, North Carolina (https://www.eregulations.com/northcarolina/hunting/license-information) doesn’t charge a lot to chase thunder. The hunting license is $119, but a 10-day license is $95. Costs do vary with certain border states, especially those with reciprocating license fee structures.
Turkey Subspecies: Eastern wild turkeys
Regular Season Dates: April 12 to May 10, 2025
- Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/huntingandtrapping/get-started-hunting/turkey-hunting.html) has a rich turkey hunting tradition. The non-resident hunting license is $101.97, which includes certain tags, such as a spring turkey tag. It’s good for one license year.
Turkey Subspecies: Eastern wild turkeys
Regular Season Dates: May 3-31, 2025
- Rhode Island
One of the cheapest states in the nation, non-resident turkey hunters can access Rhode Island’s (https://www.eregulations.com/rhodeisland/hunting/licenses-fees) awaiting turkey hunting adventures for less than $100. The non-resident hunting license costs $55 and non-resident turkey permit is $21.50.
Turkey Subspecies: Eastern wild turkeys
Regular Season Dates: April 24 to May 18, 2025
- South Dakota
South Dakota (https://gfp.sd.gov/license-types/) has great deer hunting, but it has strong turkey hunting, too. That said, it’s an application process, and not everyone draws a tag. It’s $121 for a Black Hills or Prairie Spring turkey license (for one male turkey in the spring).
Turkey Subspecies: Merriam’s wild turkeys, Rio Grande wild turkeys (small populations), and Eastern wild turkeys (small populations)
Regular Season Dates: Dates vary greatly
- Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas (https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/hunting-licenses-and-permits/hunting-licenses), but that isn’t true for the price of admission. Here, you can hunt turkeys at a reasonable price point. The non-resident spring turkey license is $126. Hunters also need the Upland Endorsement, which is $7.
Turkey Subspecies: Rio Grande wild turkeys and Eastern wild turkeys (in the easternmost counties)
Regular Season Dates: Dates vary greatly
- Vermont
Most people don’t think of Vermont (https://www.eregulations.com/vermont/hunting/2025-license-fees) as an out-of-state hunting destination. That said, it offers some hunting opportunities to consider. If going here, the non-resident hunting license is $102 and it’s $38 for the turkey license. Bowhunters need the additional bow license.
Turkey Subspecies: Eastern wild turkeys
Regular Season Dates: May 1-31, 2025
- Wisconsin
Wisconsin (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/GoWild/nonresident.html) offers great deer and turkey hunting alike. The latter isn’t too expensive, either. The spring turkey application is $3 and license is $65, but the overarching hunting license is also needed. A turkey stamp is $5.25.
Turkey Subspecies: Eastern wild turkeys
Regular Season Dates: April 16 to May 27, 2025 (broken into week-long periods)
Other Solid States
While some states don’t make the “under $150” price of admission, others are close to it. The following are some of the states that provide both good turkey hunting action and license/tags for $200 or less.
Maryland (https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/pages/hunt_trap/wildturkeyhunting.aspx) is a good turkey hunting state. It costs non-residents $160 for a license and $40 for a turkey permit.
Minnesota (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/turkey/index.html) is home to some good turkey hunting opportunities, too. It’s broken down into several seasons, but each of these offer ample opportunities. A non-resident small game hunting license is $90.50. A spring license, fall license, or archery permit is $96.
Oklahoma (https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/resources/turkey) is on the rise. It’s been overlooked more than other states. Therefore, it’s been quietly offering top-tier gobbler action. The state has Eastern, Rio Grande, Hybrid, and a few Merriam’s turkeys. Of course, the annual hunting license is $176, and turkey permit is $10, which makes it slightly more expensive.
Virginia (https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/licenses/) is a state that’s on the rise in multiple hunting categories, including chasing turkeys. The non-resident hunting license is $111. The non-resident turkey license is $86. Additional permits and stamps might be needed, situation depending.
Washington (https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/hunting/small-game) is another overlooked state, but it has some turkeys in small pockets in the westernmost, southern, and northeastern counties. To hunt here, you must purchase a small game license, which is $183.50. Additionally, one must obtain a turkey transport tag, which is $44.50. Additionally permits might apply.
Go Turkey Hunt
Regardless of the state you choose, an out-of-state turkey hunting adventure can be quite enjoyable. With the proper planning, hunters can give themselves the best chance to fill tags and success in the turkey woods.
Check out the video below for some mountain turkey hunting action.
