Brumation
(Most) turtles go through a process called Brumation. About a month before the turtles want to brumate, they reject food more. Keep trying to feed them until about around November. Then make sure you have a section to dig in. If they don't dig, then make a hole for them. Cover it up, and put a board over it to stop freezing rain. When they wake up in 5-6 months, they will forget many things like who you are and might not really feel comfortable getting fed from you. They will be very active. They will also be ready to mate. Turtles that just woke up will have also forgotten a lot of things.
However, some turtles do not hibernate. There is a wikipedia link under "Turtle Polling" that will tell you which ones will always hibernate, sometimes hibernate by where they are being kept, and some that never hibernate.
However, some turtles do not hibernate. There is a wikipedia link under "Turtle Polling" that will tell you which ones will always hibernate, sometimes hibernate by where they are being kept, and some that never hibernate.
Don't Disturb Turtles in Brumation.
This is what it looks like when turtles brumate. Even when they brumate, you need to supply fresh water in their enclosure in case they wake up in a winter warm spell. If you find them awake but very tired, put them back in the burrow. Make sure they still can get out. If you find them in the water if it's at freezing temperatures, TAKE THEM OUT! They might cramp up and stay in, or be immobilized in the water. That would not be good.