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.
The youth turkey hunt in Wisconsin is a special weekend set aside just for young hunters to gain valuable experience hunting wild turkeys. This youth-only season occurs one weekend before the start of the regular spring turkey hunting season
Overview of the Youth Turkey Hunt
The youth turkey hunt is open to resident and nonresident hunters 15 years of age or younger. To participate youth hunters must have completed a hunter education course or be part of the mentored hunt program. They must also have the required licenses stamps, and harvest authorizations.
An adult 18 or older must accompany the young hunter in the field, with a limit of two youths per adult. The youth turkey season is two days long and runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset each day.
Bag Limits and Other Regulations
During the youth hunt, the bag limit is one male or bearded turkey. All other spring turkey hunting regulations and rules apply. Youth hunters are limited to hunting in the turkey management zone listed on their harvest authorization permit.
When is the 2023 Youth Turkey Hunt?
For 2023, the youth turkey hunt weekend in Wisconsin will be on April 15-16. This is one week before the start of Period A of the regular spring turkey season, which opens on April 22, 2023.
The youth turkey hunt dates are set each year by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The 2023 youth hunt was confirmed at the 2022 Conservation Congress spring hearings.
How to Take Part in the Youth Turkey Hunt
Youth hunters must have a valid spring turkey hunting license and stamp. They also need to apply for and receive a harvest authorization permit for the zone they want to hunt.
Online registration for the youth turkey hunt begins in January. The application deadline is usually in early April, about 2-3 weeks before the hunt weekend. Hunters are notified by email if they receive a permit.
Adults mentoring youth hunters on the special weekend do not need a turkey hunting license or harvest permit unless they plan to carry a weapon and hunt turkeys themselves.
A Special Opportunity for Young Hunters
The youth turkey hunt gives young hunters a great opportunity to go after these challenging birds on their own terms, without having to compete against adult hunters. With proper preparation and mentoring, it can lead to a successful and memorable hunt.
Connecting kids to hunting and the outdoors at a young age also helps ensure the future of the sport. The youth turkey hunt weekend has introduced many young hunters to turkey hunting and set them on the path to becoming responsible hunters and conservationists.
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.
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 |
Wisconsin Youth Season Turkey Hunt | A Boy’s First Gobbler – TURKEY POSSE ’24
FAQ
What days are youth hunt in Wisconsin?
| Archery and Crossbow* | Sept. 13 – Jan. 4, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Youth Deer Hunt | Oct. 11-12 |
| Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities** | Oct. 4-12 |
| Gun | Nov. 22 – 30 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec. 1-10 |
What day is youth turkey season?
Youth Spring Turkey Hunt: March 23 – March 24 and May 6 – May 12, 2025.
What are the rules for youth turkey hunting in Wisconsin?
Youth Turkey Hunt Rules and Regulations
Open to residents and non-residents who are 15 years of age and younger and possess a spring turkey license, stamp and valid harvest authorization for spring 2022. Youth ages 11 and under and youth without hunter education must hunt under the Hunting Mentorship Program.
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 is the youth wild turkey hunting season?
The youth wild turkey hunting season is from April 17-18, 2021. Get in touch with experts and guides in turkey hunts to prepare for your hunt and attain success outdoors, regardless of whether you are planning your first turkey hunt or have gone through the experience before.
When is the 2024 youth turkey hunt?
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds families, mentors and young hunters that there’s still time to plan and participate in the youth turkey hunt happening statewide on April 13-14, 2024. Photo credit: iStock/Lightwriter1949
Where can I find information about turkey hunting in Wisconsin?
General information regarding turkey hunting in Wisconsin is able on the DNR’s Turkey Hunting In Wisconsin webpage. Registering your turkey harvest remains a critical component of wildlife population management. Turkey registration is mandatory.
When is New York State’s wild turkey hunt youth weekend?
New York State’s annual Wild Turkey Hunt Youth Weekend takes places April 23-24. The hunt is open in all parts of Upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary, and in Suffolk County. Shooting hours each day are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon.
What is a youth turkey hunt?
The youth turkey hunt is a great opportunity for the next generation of turkey hunters to become active outdoors. It’s suitable for those showing an interest in hunting or continuing a family tradition. (DNR assistant turkey and pheasant ecologist, Alissa Kakatsch, stated:)
How do you register a turkey for a youth Hunt?
To register a turkey for a youth hunt, hunters must register their harvested turkey by 5 p.m. the day after recovery. This is a mandatory process for wildlife population management. Hunters can register their turkey at gamereg.wi.gov or by calling 1-844-426-3734. They will need their harvest authorization number to complete the registration process.