Louisiana's turkey hunters have notched up impressive numbers for the second year in a row, bringing in over 3,500 turkeys during the 2025 season. This figure comes close to the state record set in 2024, a testament to both the skill of the hunters and the robustness of the turkey population in the region. According to a report by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), hunters took home a total of 3,576 birds, falling just short of the 3,695 reported the previous year, a record since mandatory harvest reporting began in 2009.
The success of this year's hunt is particularly noteworthy considering the new restriction placed on the harvest of juvenile males, or jakes, which was limited to a single bird for youth hunters only. The change, which aims to support youth engagement while allowing jake populations to thrive, seems to not have significantly derailed the upward trend in harvest numbers. In 2024, hunters reported 434 jakes, whereas only 111 were reported in 2025, as stated in a report by the LDWF.
The recent rise in turkey populations and corresponding harvest numbers can be traced back to a strategic decision made by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in 2018. Acting on recommendations from the LDWF staff, they pushed the start of the turkey season back, intending to better the reproduction rates and, by extension, bolster the populations across the state. "This year is the fourth year of elevated reported turkey harvest," LDWF's Small Game/Turkey Program Manager Cody Cedotal said. "Reported harvest of adult males in 2025 exceeded that of 2024 by 204 birds. This four-year pattern clearly indicates increased turkey populations in many areas of the state and provides additional evidence that the season change is working," Cedotal told LDWF.
Despite less than ideal weather conditions, the beginning of the 2025 season saw above-average harvest levels, particularly during the youth weekend and the initial two weeks of the regular season. The last two weeks, however, saw a slight decline when compared to the 2024 season—something hunters need to carefully consider planning their future expeditions. "Many hunters again indicated increased encounters with jakes, which is an indicator of good reproduction in some areas of the state," said Cedotal. "Weather conditions were somewhat wet in April and very wet thus far in May in many parts of the state. Hopefully, a drier trend will prevail throughout remainder of May and into June to improve nesting and brood rearing conditions," he explained ON LDWF.
