Spittin' and Drummin':

Mississippi's 2025 Turkey Season Forecast

Mississippi’s spring turkey season opens on Saturday, March 15, and runs through May 1. Young hunters aged 15 and under get an early start with a special youth season beginning March 8.

The last few years have been exceptional for Magnolia State turkey hunters. In both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the statewide estimated harvest exceeded 35,000 gobblers—marking the first back-to-back years of such high numbers since the 1990s. With another strong hatch recorded during the summer of 2024, Mississippi’s turkey population is at one of its highest levels in a generation. While turkey numbers will vary from property to property, the overall forecast for the 2025 season is highly optimistic across nearly every region of the state.

Below is a region-by-region breakdown of what hunters can expect this spring:

North Mississippi

Northern Mississippi continues to boast some of the highest turkey numbers in the state, thanks to its ideal mix of hardwoods and open fields. The summer of 2024 produced one of the best hatches in the past decade, and winter sightings have been notably high. However, hunters reported seeing fewer jakes last spring in MDWFP’s Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey (SGHS), suggesting that while turkey numbers will be strong, a large portion of legal gobblers this season will be older, more experienced birds. 

The Delta

Turkey populations along the Mississippi River are heavily influenced by flooding, but recent years have seen relatively stable conditions. As a result, turkey numbers behind the Mississippi River levee are as strong as they have been in a long time. SGHS participants reported hearing an average of six gobblers per 10 hours afield last spring—27% above the 10-year average. While it may be difficult to surpass last season’s harvest totals on some of the Delta’s premier hunting clubs, 2025 is shaping up to be another excellent year for turkey hunters in the region.

East-Central Mississippi

Since 2020, east-central Mississippi has experienced a string of solid hatches with no major downturns. As a result, turkey numbers have steadily increased, positioning this region for a strong 2025 season. Similar to northern Mississippi, hunters should expect an abundance of turkeys, with many legal toms being older birds. 

Southwest Mississippi  

Turkey populations in southwest Mississippi have surged in recent years. In 2024, harvest rates among SGHS participants skyrocketed by 75%, driven by an exceptional hatch in 2022. Strong hatches in both 2023 and 2024 have further bolstered turkey numbers, making this one of the best regions for hunting in 2025. Expectations should be sky-high for hunters in southwest Mississippi this season.  

Southeast Mississippi

Like its southwestern counterpart, the Piney Woods of southeast Mississippi have seen a dramatic recent increase in turkey populations. The 2022 hatch was outstanding, and 2024’s hatch was equally impressive. Over the past five years, jake sightings have been on the rise, which should translate to a greater number of gobbling turkeys in 2025. Hunters in the Piney Woods can expect one of the best turkey seasons in recent memory—perhaps even a return to the "good old days."

Final Thoughts

Mississippi’s 2025 spring turkey season is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years. With strong turkey populations across nearly every region, hunters should have ample opportunities to experience an exciting and successful season.

For more information on Mississippi’s turkey hunting regulations, visit MDWFP’s website.