What Can You Hunt in the Spring? [A Guide]

While many may associate fall with the best hunting opportunities, plenty of unique challenges and rewards come with a spring hunt; whether you're after some decent gobblers or elusive predators, the range of opportunities as a species can be just as exciting as any other seasonal hunt. 

We're here to help you get out in the field sooner rather than later! This guide answers the question of "what can you hunt in the spring," offers tips for success, and provides regulations to remember as you plan your hunts.

Spring Hunting Opportunities: What to Hunt and Why 

Spring is the season of renewal that brings fresh growth and often signals the beginning of hunting in warmer temperatures. While many associate spring hunting with the loud gobble and strutting of toms, hunters have plenty of opportunities to stay active, refine their skills, and experience the outdoors in a whole new way this month.

Predator hunting also picks up, with coyotes, foxes, and bobcats becoming more active as they search for food. You can also target wild hogs and certain small game species in some zones.

Spring is the ultimate timing for off-season skill building, allowing you to practice your calls, tracking, stealth hunting, and other bushcraft in an often less-pressured hunting period. 

Let's look at what you can pursue during the "off-season" — although, as hunters, we know there really isn't an "off" season if you plan your year the right way.

Spring Turkey Hunting 

As you probably already know, spring is prime turkey season, which is why many hunters looking for an accessible, affordable, and exciting hunt head out into the woods with their calls and decoys. Due to the widespread dispersion of turkeys and the differing species, such as Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam, and Osceola turkeys, there are almost limitless public land opportunities across many states. 

Colorado, for example, is an excellent place to hunt Merriam and Rio Grande turkeys in the spring.

Springtime means mating for turkeys, and if you're lucky, you'll witness one of the most stunning mating displays with strutting, drumming, and the showcasing of an impressive plumage. Hunters use turkey calls and decoys to draw in a dominant bird chasing a female. During this time, male turkeys will be highly responsive to hen calls, so it's time to take out the old calls and start practicing yelps, clucks, and purrs. 

Check the Rules

Bag limits typically range from one to three bearded birds per season; however, they can go higher in some states. Most states also have weapon restrictions, with shotguns and archery equipment being the most common methods.

You'll be required to report your harvest and tag birds, and you may only be allowed to hunt during daylight hours. Always check your local wildlife department for up-to-date regulations, get a license, and check the hunter-education requirements for your chosen state. 

Predator Hunting 

With an increase in game species activity, such as birthing and feeding, you'll notice an increase in predator behaviors. Coyotes, foxes, and bobcats can be hunted during this time.

While many may consider it a secondary hunt or an opportunistic take when hunting other game, a dedicated predator hunt can be one of the most rewarding and thrilling spring hunt opportunities. 

Protect Other Animals and Help Landowners

Predator hunting is essential to the ecosystem and protects livestock and game species. Spring is the prime calving season when fawns are born and game birds such as turkeys and pheasants nest, making both agricultural and wild species especially vulnerable.

Due to the expansion of predator territory, human intervention is necessary to maintain a balance between predator and prey species. To get started, consider contacting private landowners who run cattle or sheep to inquire whether hunting coyotes on their land to protect the calves would be possible. 

Use Calls

Calling is one of the most effective methods of finding and hunting coyotes.

Mouth calls mimic distressed prey sounds like rabbit squeals, fawn bleats, or rodent chirps. Electronic calls can be highly effective, but check regulations as they are illegal in every state.

Since there's potential that you'll hunt predators at night, a low-light scope is essential, and a flat-shooting and reliable firearm such as a .223 Remington will get the job done. 

Small Game Hunting

Depending on your state, you may find some exciting spring small-game hunting opportunities, such as squirrels or rabbits.

Hunting small game is a great strategy to maintain your hunting fitness, especially shooting and stalking skills, in a fast-paced environment. It can also be an entry point for a beginner or young hunter looking to enter the sport without excessive costs or gear requirements. 

For small game success, you'll need to target wooded areas, brush fields, and routes that often align at the edges of farmlands, where species can target nutrient-rich food sources. Signs such as chewed nuts, stripped bark, and worn trails, especially near water sources, will indicate the presence of a small game.

Head out early in the morning for a squirrel hunt and around dusk to target rabbits. 

Spring Waterfowl Hunting 

Waterfowl hunters looking for a little more action before swapping out the shotgun for a rifle will find an opportunity in a snow goose hunt. These special hunts, available in certain states, are designed to control overpopulated snow goose numbers, which can cause damage to fragile ecosystems.

While not available in every state, there are plenty of opportunities to scratch your end-of-season waterfowl itch in states such as Arkansas (where some waterfowl hunts go as late as mid-February) and Missouri (where the light geese Conservation Order hunt typically runs through April). 

Bear Hunting 

Along with turkeys, a black bear hunt would have to be one of the more common North American hunts associated with the spring hunting window.

As bears leave their hibernation, they search for food to replenish energy sources and gain weight. Due to their food focus, scout areas high in vegetation, such as south-facing slopes, berry patches, and waterways, such as riverbanks and green zones. Any sign of scat, claw marks on trees, and worked trails will help confirm the presence of bears.

Baiting (where it's legal) is a popular strategy for getting bears to frequent specific locations you can monitor with a trail cam. Spring is also the time when sows emerge with their cubs, meaning target identification is essential to avoid provoking sows with young.

Always hunt with a partner wherever possible, carry bear spray and a backup firearm, and always let others know of your intended hunting plans and location. 

Feral Hog Hunting 

Due to their destructive nature, hog hunting can generally be found year-round in most states, such as Wisconsin, where hog hunting is encouraged.

Hogs cause massive damage to ecosystems, farmland, and native wildlife, and the population is growing due to the lack of natural predators. Their aggressive rooting behavior destroys native plant life and destabilizes soil, and they eat almost anything, meaning they compete with native species for food and resources. 

As the weather warms, hogs will become more nocturnal and are likelier to be out and about at dawn and dusk. Consider targeting agricultural areas in fields, pastures, or new wallows created during Spring rainfall. 

What Gear Do You Need for a Spring Hunt?

While specific tools, firearms, and calls should depend on the species you plan to hunt — such as turkey calls, predator calls, or snow goose decoys — there are some must-have items that every hunter should carry for their Spring hunts.

The first is lightweight clothing that you can layer to provide sufficient warmth in the early mornings but remove to cool down as the sun rises. Start with a moisture-wicking base, insulating layers to hold in body warmth, and a waterproof outer layer for rain and wind protection.

Additionally, insulated boots are essential to maintain warmth and dryness, especially after heavy rains that can fall during spring. 

If you're not sure you have everything you need for a successful hunt, use your HuntWise Pro or Elite subscription for up to 40% off hunting items from our partners!

Let HuntWise Guide You to Spring Hunting Success

Spring hunting provides a unique and exciting way to stay active in the field while taking advantage of special seasons and conservation opportunities. Whether you're calling in gobbling turkeys, controlling predator populations, pursuing spring bears, or hunting invasive hogs, there are plenty of ways to sharpen your skills.  

To make the most of your spring hunts, download HuntWise — your all-in-one tool for scouting, weather tracking, and planning successful hunts year-round. With detailed mapping and layers, landowner data, and hunting predictions, HuntWise helps you hunt smarter and more efficiently every season.

If you're thinking of getting out for a hunt while you wait for deer season to come around again, it's the perfect time to get to know HuntWise! 
Download the app, start your free trial, and start planning.