Youth turkey season kicks off April 8. Here’s how to get the most out of it

Chances are, your kid (age 17 and under) is probably pretty good at making weird, high-pitched sounds that ruffle feathers and drive you nuts. The good news is, you can pair that hidden talent with some clever coaching and camouflage for one joyous week in April where kids rule the roost—at least when it comes to turkey hunting. 

Here's what you’ll need: 

• Kid (age 8 to 17)
• Hunting license and turkey tag
• Shotgun
• Calls
• Camo
• Tick repellant (optional, but highly recommended by this author)

Idaho's general season youth turkey hunt runs Wednesday, April 8 through Tuesday, April 14 and is a great opportunity for kids to get an early shot at turkey hunting. Getting the kids out this week is a fun way for parents, grandparents, and other adults to mentor a youngster without affecting your own hunt. The general youth turkey hunt is only open to licensed youth who are 8 to 17 years old on April 8.

Turkey hunting is also a gateway to other types of hunting. As one of the calendar year’s earliest hunt opportunities, it's also a good primer to see if your budding hunter is ready or excited for next fall's big game hunts.

Going after thunder chickens (as the kids say) is exciting, inexpensive, and doesn’t require a bunch of specialized gear. Turkeys are often found in fairly accessible places where long hikes into rugged country aren’t in the syllabus, which means it's also easy to pack one out if you have a successful hunt.

Give this exercise a try.

Ask your kid if they’ve ever wanted to talk to a bird. Then ask your kid if they’ve ever wanted to talk to a giant bird while playing in the dirt. 

Most expert kids will agree that the answer is usually “yes.”

Talking to a tom turkey with calls is one of the most thrilling pursuits in the world of hunting. Think about it. Short of maybe archery elk and waterfowl, there aren’t too many species out there willing to engage us as hunters in fruitful conversation. And giving a youth hunter a portal into that interspecies banter might just win them over for life. 

Where to start

Turkeys are found throughout Idaho, but most general seasons are in the Panhandle, Clearwater, Southwest, and Southeast regions. You can see a map of them on page 21 of the 2026-27 Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer Seasons and Rules booklet.

Turkeys tend to congregate at lower elevations in early spring, often near agriculture lands, and follow the snow line up in elevation as spring progresses. 

Hunters should scout out hunting areas before the season, and make sure you get permission on private land before you hunt. When in doubt, check a map or app so you know who owns the land. Savvy hunters typically introduce themselves to landowners before the season starts. 

Follow the rules, kids

Licensed youth who 17 years or younger on April 8 may participate in the general youth turkey hunt. Resident hunters under 12 and nonresident hunters under 18 must be accompanied by a licensed adult (18 years of age or older) to participate.

Adults who accompany youth hunters must also be licensed and be within normal conversation or hearing range without shouting and without the aid of electronic devices.

No hunter education certification? You can still hunt with a "Passport"

Fish and Game offers first-time hunters the Hunting Passport so they can try hunting for a year without hunter education certification. Those who have previously held a hunting license in any state are ineligible.

• The minimum age to hold a Hunting Passport is 8 years of age; there is no maximum age.
• Anyone hunting under the Passport Program must be accompanied by a mentor at least 18 years of age who possesses a valid Idaho hunting license.
• Holders of a Hunting Passport must purchase general season tags, appropriate permits and validations to participate in hunting. All hunting rules, seasons and weapon restrictions also apply to the holder of a Hunting Passport.

For more information about turkey hunting, see the 2026-27 Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer Seasons and Rules booklet available online, at all Fish and Game regional offices, and at license vendors.