MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds turkey hunters that the 2025 spring turkey season opens on Wednesday, April 16.
The regular season is open through May 27, and all seven turkey management zones will be open for hunting during the spring season.
To provide a high-quality hunting experience, enhance access opportunities and maintain a healthy turkey population, the 2025 spring turkey season is comprised of six seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday. The season dates are as follows:
- 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
Hunters must bring their spring turkey license, wild turkey stamp and valid harvest authorization with them while hunting. They are encouraged to review the turkey hunting regulations in the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 Combined Hunting Regulationsbefore heading into the field.
Registration Is Required
Turkey harvest registration is mandatory and remains a critical component of turkey management in Wisconsin. Hunters must register their turkey by 5 p.m. the day after recovery online or by phone at 844-426-3734. To register their turkey, hunters will need the harvest authorization number found on their paper or electronic harvest authorization.
Where To Hunt
In addition to public land open to hunting, the public also has access to thousands of acres of private land through the Turkey Hunting Access Program and the Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program. Hunters can find these lesser-known properties and other public land hunting opportunities using the DNR’s Public Access Lands online mapping tool.
Safety Reminders
Camouflage carefully. Hunter camouflage is an important part of hunting turkey, but it may also present a problem. The better camouflaged and concealed a hunter is, the more likely they are to be mistaken for a turkey.
It is especially important to avoid wearing red, white or blue. If a fellow hunter sees a flash of those colors through the brush, they could mistake that for a turkey.
Follow TAB-K:
T – Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
A – Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
B – Be certain of your target; what’s before, what’s beyond it.
K – Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
Youth Turkey Hunt, April 12–13
There is still time to participate in the youth turkey hunt. Youth hunters may use a harvest authorization for any period during the youth hunt, but they must hunt within the turkey management zone indicated on their harvest authorization. A youth hunter may fill one harvest authorization during the youth season. Any harvest authorization not filled during the youth hunt may be filled during the regular turkey hunting season in the corresponding zone and time period.
For more information regarding turkey hunting in Wisconsin, visit the DNR’s Turkey Hunting webpage.
