Update: The Wisconsin Turkey Draw for 2025 spring season tags is now closed. You can still secure Bonus authorization (leftover) tags, which we detail below. If you missed the draw you can start tracking your hunt deadlines for free with OnPoint – never miss an application! Available on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Wisconsin offers tremendous turkey hunting opportunities to sportsmen, both in quality and quantity. Both spring and fall hunting seasons are available, with the spring being the most sought after. Residents and nonresidents acquire tags in the same method, which is through the Wisconsin Spring Turkey Application. Below we’ll cover how the application works, including the Wisconsin turkey zones, available seasons, and other important information.
Turkey hunting is a popular sport in Wisconsin, with thousands of hunters eagerly awaiting the start of turkey season each year. As a Wisconsin resident and outdoor enthusiast, you may be wondering, when does turkey season start in Wisconsin? Read on for a complete guide to the turkey hunting seasons, rules, and regulations in Wisconsin
Overview of Turkey Seasons in Wisconsin
There are two main turkey hunting seasons in Wisconsin – spring and fall. Here is a quick overview:
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Spring Turkey Season – Runs from mid April to late May. This is the more popular season with the highest hunter participation. Hunters must apply for a harvest authorization in a drawing held in December.
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Fall Turkey Season – Runs from mid September to January depending on hunting zone. No application required, harvest authorizations can be purchased over-the-counter. Typically lower hunter participation than spring.
Turkey hunters can choose to participate in one or both seasons Let’s take a closer look at when each season starts
When Does Spring Turkey Season Start?
The Wisconsin spring turkey season is highly anticipated by hunters. Here are the key dates for 2023:
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Youth Spring Hunt – April 15-16, 2023. For hunters under age 16.
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Week 1 – April 17-23, 2023
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Week 2 – April 24-30, 2023
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Week 3 – May 1-7, 2023
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Week 4 – May 8-14, 2023
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Week 5 – May 15-21, 2023
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Week 6 – May 22-28, 2023
The season opens statewide on the third Monday in April. It is divided into six one-week time periods to distribute hunting pressure. Specific season dates may vary slightly each year, so be sure to check the DNR website for the latest updates.
When Does Fall Turkey Season Start?
The fall turkey season in Wisconsin has a more complicated structure than spring. Season dates depend on which turkey hunting zone you are hunting in. There are seven turkey zones in the state.
Here are the opening dates for the 2023 fall turkey season by zone:
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Zones 1-5 – September 16, 2023
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Zones 6-7 – September 23, 2023
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Statewide – November 18, 2023
Fall turkey hunting starts in mid-September in the northern zones, then opens later in southern zones. The late November date is for a special extended season across all zones.
How to Get Your Turkey Harvest Authorization
To hunt turkeys in Wisconsin, you need a harvest authorization in addition to your hunting license and stamp. Here’s how to get your authorization for each season:
Spring – Apply in the preference point drawing held in December each year. Deadline is December 10. You can also purchase leftover bonus authorizations in March.
Fall – Purchase over-the-counter starting in mid August. No drawing required. Your authorization will be valid for one of the seven turkey zones.
Be sure to apply early to increase your chances of drawing for the spring hunt. Follow the DNR website and social media for exact dates when bonus authorizations go on sale each year.
Turkey Hunting Rules and Regulations
When headed out to hunt turkeys, be sure you understand the rules and regulations:
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Shooting hours – 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Hours are set by DNR for each zone.
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Bag limit – One bearded turkey in spring, one turkey of either sex in fall. Two turkeys max per year.
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Tagging – Must tag turkey immediately upon harvest and register by 5pm the next day.
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Hunting zones – Harvest authorization is zone specific. Cannot hunt outside of your assigned zone.
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Hunter orange – Required when moving between hunting sites. Helps other hunters see you.
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Dogs – Allowed for fall turkey hunting only. Prohibited in the spring season.
Refer to the DNR turkey hunting regulations for additional rules. Safety is paramount when hunting turkeys.
Apply Now for 2023 Spring Turkey
If you want to hunt wild turkeys next spring in Wisconsin, be sure to get your application in for the harvest authorization drawing by December 10, 2022. Apply through GoWild or at DNR service centers. Then you’ll be all set when spring 2023 turkey season opens on April 17!
The spring gobbler hunt is a special time to be in the Wisconsin outdoors. With a harvest authorization in hand and knowledge of the season dates and rules, you’ll be ready to head out on opening day. Good luck tagging your tom turkey this year!
Wisconsin Turkey Season Dates
The Wisconsin Spring Turkey hunting season is divided into six individual periods, each one week in length. Turkey tags are valid only for a specific period within the season. The first period typically opens in mid-April, and the final period usually ends in late-May. Each period is one week in length, beginning on a Wednesday and ending the following Tuesday. Below is a table of the 2025 Wisconsin Spring Turkey Seasons.
| Period | Dates |
|---|---|
| Youth Hunt | April 12-13 |
| Period A | April 16–22 |
| Period B | April 23–29 |
| Period C | April 30 – May 6 |
| Period D | May 7–13 |
| Period E | May 14–20 |
| Period F | May 21–27 |
When is the Wisconsin Spring Turkey Application?
The Wisconsin Spring Turkey Application deadline is the same each year, with applications due no later than December 10th. To receive reminders for this application or others, add it to your OnPoint Account via the web, Apple, or Android app. If you miss the spring turkey deadline, you can still get a tag when leftover tags go for sale, detailed below.December 10th, 11:59PM CTWisconsin Spring Turkey Draw Deadline0000Days00Hours00Minutes00Seconds
Wisconsin is divided into seven turkey hunting zones. Tags are specific to an individual hunting zone. Below is the Wisconsin turkey hunting zone map.
When Is Turkey Season In Wisconsin? – The Midwest Guru
FAQ
What are the dates for the fall turkey season in Wisconsin?
- Youth: April 13 & 14.
- Spring Open Zones: Period A: April 17 – 23. Period B: April 24 – 30. Period C: May 1 – 7. Period D: May 8 – 14. Period E: May 15 – 21. …
- Fall Open Zones: Statewide: September 14 – November 22. Zones 1-5: November 23 – January 5.
When was the first turkey season in Wisconsin?
The result was Wisconsin’s first modern turkey hunting season in the spring of 1983. Today, research shows turkeys are abundant in Wisconsin, and populations have stabilized statewide after decades of growth and expansion.
What day does turkey hunting season start?
California. SEASON DATES: General Season: March 30 – May 5, 2024. Archery Season: March 30 – May 19, 2024.
Have hunters take in nearly 50000 wild turkeys in Wisconsin?
The 2024 Wisconsin season also marks just the fourth time hunters have taken more than 50,000 wild turkeys in the state. The previous three were from 2007-09, highlighting the long-term resilience and strength of the Wisconsin turkey population.
Where can I Hunt a Turkey in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin offers millions of acres of public land, with much of it open to turkey hunting. Find public lands open for hunting near you on the DNR’s Public Access Lands webpage. Spring turkey hunting is allowed in select state parks during the two-day youth hunt and the first two periods of the regular season.
Do you need a license to hunt a Turkey in Wisconsin?
Hunters must carry their spring turkey license, wild turkey stamp and valid harvest authorization while hunting, and they are encouraged to review the turkey hunting regulations before the season. Turkey harvest registration is mandatory and remains a critical component of turkey management in Wisconsin.
When is the 2024 spring turkey season?
The 2024 spring turkey season will run from April 17 through May 28 and includes six, seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday. All seven turkey management zones will be open for hunting. The 2024 spring turkey season dates are as follows:
How many bearded turkeys can you hunt in Wyoming?
Bag Limit: 1 bearded or male turkey per spring turkey harvest authorization (formerly known as a carcass tag/permit). Season Dates: Dates vary by unit between April 1 and May 31 — see Wyoming Game and Fish Department hunting regulations for full details.
Are all 7 Turkey management zones open for hunting?
All seven turkey management zones will be open for hunting. Hunters are reminded to review the fall turkey hunting regulations and hours. The complete list of rules and hunting hours can be found in the Fall 2024- Spring 2025 Combined Hunting Regulations [PDF].
How many bearded turkeys can you hunt in a season?
Bag Limit: Three bearded turkeys per season; One bird of either sex per hunter on Island of Hawaii. Season Dates: Varies by Game Management Unit, from April 15-May 25 or April 15-30 depending upon unit being hunted. Hunting Licenses: Varies greatly. Check for license fees here.