Gearing up for a season of gobblers and camo, Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is set to open the 2025 spring turkey hunting season on Wednesday. Running through May 27, all seven of Wisconsin’s turkey management zones will be open to hunters, according to a release from the Wisconsin DNR.
To promote a quality experience and manage the turkey population sustainably, the DNR has structured the season into six consecutive seven-day periods from Wednesday to Tuesday. Hunting enthusiasts are required to be armed with not just their shotgun or bow but also their spring turkey license, wild turkey stamp, and a valid harvest authorization while in pursuit. Hunters, both seasoned and newcomers alike, are strongly advised to thoroughly review the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 Combined Hunting Regulations, to avoid having to regretfully learn any rules through any misadventure.
With the requirement to register turkey harvests firmly in place, hunters must swiftly register their turkeys by 5 p.m. the day following the catch via an online portal or by calling 844-426-3734. When doing so, the process will demand them to provide the harvest authorization number, an essential part of wildlife management tracking efforts.
Hunters looking to spot a good locale can roam across the vast acres of both public lands and private territories enrolled in the Turkey Hunting Access Program and the Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program. For those eager to further expand their hunting grounds, the DNR’s Public Access Lands online mapping tool offers a digital path to discovering these and other prime hunting spots where turkeys roost and forage.
When decking out in camouflage, hunters are reminded to be cautious—effective concealment increases not just your chances with turkeys, but also the risk of a mistaken identity among fellow hunters. It is essential, therefore, to avoid wearing anything red, white, or blue while in the brush, lest you are mistakenly identified as the intended quarry. Observing the four-point TAB-K safety principles: treating every firearm as if it is loaded, always pointing the muzzle in a safe direction, being certain of your target and its surroundings, and keeping your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot—are non-negotiable precautions.
Although the general season is approaching, the youth turkey hunt took place from yesterday to today. This special event allowed junior hunters to fill one harvest authorization, with any unfilled permits remaining valid for use during the regular season within the designated zones and time periods.
