Hunters are eagerly anticipating the approaching Wisconsin turkey season as they get ready to take on the task of pursuing this elusive bird. Hunters must be well informed before entering the field since several laws are in place to safeguard the turkey population, such as a drawing system for harvest authorizations and limitations on hunting techniques. There are several options for individuals to participate in this well-liked activity, from youth hunts to specific opportunities for hunters with disabilities.
Hunters in Wisconsin are looking forward to the opportunity to test their abilities and take in nature’s splendor as the 2023 turkey season draws near. We will explore the latest dates, rules, licenses, and details on the Wisconsin Turkey Season 2023.
Wisconsin Turkey Season 2023
In Wisconsin, the next turkey hunting season has been declared. The youth hunt and six more phases will be part of the season from April through May. In Wisconsin, a spring turkey license will cost $15 for locals and $60 for non-residents. There will also be an extra $5.25 charge for the wild turkey stamp. Bonus spring turkey permits will be made available for all zones and periods where permits are still available. In December, the application window for the 2023 season will close.
Spring Season
| WI Spring Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Period-A | 19-Apr-23 | 25-Apr-23 |
| Period-B | 26-Apr-23 | 2-May-23 |
| Period-C | 3-May-23 | 9-May-23 |
| Period-D | 10-May-23 | 16-May-23 |
| Period-E | 17-May-23 | 23-May-23 |
| Period-F | 24-May-23 | 30-May-23 |
Fall Season
| WI Fall Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| All State | 16-Sep-23 | 17-Nov-23 |
| Zones 1 to 5 | 18-Nov-23 | 7-Jan-24 |
Youth Season
| WI Fall Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Hunt | 15-Apr | 16-Apr |
Bag Limits
The bag restriction for spring turkey hunting in Wisconsin is one bearded or male bird per authorization, while the bag limit for autumn turkey hunting is one turkey of any sex or age per authorization.
| WI Turkey Seasons | Bag Limits |
|---|---|
| Spring Turkey | One bearded or male turkey per harvest authorization. |
| Fall Turkey | One turkey of any age or sex per harvest authorization. |
| Youth Turkey Season | One bearded or male turkey per harvest authorization. See page 17 for more details. |
Hunting Licenses and permits
| WI Turkey Licenses & Stamps | Non-resident | Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Wild turkey stamp | $5.25 | $5.25 |
| Spring turkey hunting license | $60 | $15 |
| Fall turkey hunting license | $60 | $15 |
| Bonus harvest authorizations | $15 | $10 |
Hunting Regulations
- Turkey hunting requires a spring or autumn hunting license and a year-round wild turkey stamp. You also need unfilled turkey harvest permission for the hunting season, duration, and zone.
- It’s crucial to understand that you are considered hunting turkey during an open turkey hunting season if you carry a gun, crossbow, or bow and arrow coupled with turkey decoys or a turkey call.
- Hunting is only permitted in certain locations known as turkey management zones; therefore, knowing which zone you are in and having the necessary permits, licenses, and stamps to hunt is crucial.
- After harvesting a turkey, it must be registered at gamereg.wi.gov or by phone at 844-426-3734 (844-GAME-REG) by 5 p.m. Hunters must register turkeys with their permit number. Online or phone registration is required as there are no registration booths. Hunters should save their harvest registration confirmation number after registering.
- Wild turkey hunting has several rules. Wild turkey hunters must utilize a shotgun, muzzle-loading shotgun, crossbow, or bow and arrow. Hunting wild turkeys with any equipment that records or amplifies bird cries or noises is illegal. Hunters holding a Class A or B disability hunting permit that allows hunting from a stationary vehicle for more than one year or who are deaf or very hard of hearing, as a medical practitioner attests, are excluded from this requirement. Except for the fall turkey season, dogs are not permitted to hunt. Wild turkeys cannot be lured with live or electronic decoys. Finally, suppose a hunter or member of their party has a turkey decoy or calling device in the field during the spring turkey season. In that case, they cannot possess a firearm, bow, or crossbow without a turkey hunting license, stamp, and valid, unused harvest authorization.
- Hunters must enter a cumulative preference lottery for a turkey harvest authorization. Turkey management zones get a restricted number of harvest authorizations through lottery. Applicants who have been unsuccessful in prior lotteries are drawn first. Hunters may apply for one turkey management zone per application. Early December to early January is the turkey drawing application period. Hunters may search for “turkey questions” on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website for further turkey drawing information.
- After the drawing, license sales sites and the Go Wild website sell spring and bonus autumn harvest authorizations. This procedure gives hunters more first-come, first-served authorizations. Hunters may search “turkey” on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website for further information.
- Hunters without weapons, bows, or crossbows may call turkeys for other hunters without a license. If the caller charges, they must have a guiding license. Anyone may call turkeys for a fellow hunter without paying.
- Residents and non-residents under 15 with a spring turkey license, stamp, and harvest permission for spring 2022 may participate in the Youth Turkey Hunt. The Hunting Mentorship Program governs 11-year-old and untrained hunters. If a youngster doesn’t harvest a turkey during the youth hunt, they may utilize their unfulfilled spring 2022 turkey hunting harvest permit in the zone for which it was given. The two-day youth hunt requires adults 18 or older to accompany young hunters.
- Disabled spring turkey hunters may hunt on private property with appropriate licenses. Hunting from a stationary vehicle requires a Class A, C, or Class B permit for more than one year. This hunt requires a sponsoring landowner and application. This handicapped turkey hunt on private property is not eligible for the spring turkey drawing. Hunters may search dnr.wi.gov for “disabled turkey hunter” for information or special hunt applications.
- Wisconsin hosts “Learn to Hunt Turkey” events before spring turkey season. These competitions teach novice turkeys and hunters. Search “LTH” on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website to learn more about these occurrences.
- Baiting turkeys is illegal in Wisconsin. Hunters may lawfully hunt over standing crops and wildlife food plots. This means hunters cannot use corn or other bait to entice turkeys to make hunting easier. Instead, they must use their hunting abilities and turkey behaviour expertise to catch one. Hunters must know and obey these rules to stay safe and lawful.
WI Turkey Zones Map
FAQs related to WI Turkey Season
What is the process for Wisconsin hunters to receive a turkey harvest authorization for Spring 2023?
To get a turkey harvest permission, formerly known as a carcass tag or permit, during the Wisconsin Spring 2023 turkey hunting season, hunters must participate in a preference-based lottery. Hunters must submit a $3 application by December 10 via Go Wild, any DNR service location, or a licensed agent. Go Wild allows candidates to monitor the progress of their applications, and those who are accepted will get a postal notification. Bonus turkey harvest authorizations will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis after the drawing.
What is the process for obtaining a physical copy of a turkey stamp in Wisconsin?
Hunters no longer need a paper copy of the permit to lawfully harvest a bird after acquiring a turkey stamp via Go Wild. However, anyone may still get a hard copy of the stamp for collecting needs via mail or at any DNR service facility. Visit the collector stamp website to acquire other stamps as well. Make a brief inquiry about this.
What are the rules for using bait and dogs while hunting turkeys in Wisconsin?
Using bait to hunt wild turkeys is forbidden in Wisconsin. Hunting dogs for turkey hunting is permitted throughout the state during the autumn hunting season for hunters with a turkey harvest permission, stamp, and license. However, dogs cannot be used for turkey hunting during the spring hunting season.
What is the process for registering a harvested turkey in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, hunters must register their harvested turkeys by 5 p.m. the following day. The harvest permission number is required for registration to be successful and may be obtained by calling GameReg or registering online. Stations for in-person registration are no longer accessible. Visit the turkey hunting homepage for further details.
