Wild turkey hunt expanded

Release

Department of Natural Resources

April 02, 2026

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The government is adding an extra week to the annual wild turkey hunt.

The season will now begin on the first Monday in May and run for three weeks.

“The wild turkey hunting season has been very successful,” said Natural Resources Minister John Herron. “Expanding the season will offer more opportunities to hunters and will contribute to local economies through tourism, licence fees, and outfitting and guiding services.”

The annual hunt began in 2021 to manage the growing population of wild turkeys. It was expanded in 2023 to include non-resident licences and expanded again the following year to include youth aged 12 and older.

Another change this year allows people born in New Brunswick, who are active members of the Canadian Forces or Royal Canadian Mounted Police with a principal residence outside the province, to apply for the resident wild turkey draw.

The application period for the non-resident licence draw will now close on the last Friday of November in the year prior to the hunting season. This is meant to allow for enhanced promotion efforts at hunting and fishing trade shows, attracting more non-resident hunters.

02-04-26

Related topics

Environment and natural resources, Tourism, recreation and outdoors