2023 Spring Turkey Season Opens April 19

Thursday, April 13th, 2023 -- 7:34 AM

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters that the 2023 spring turkey season opens next Wednesday, April 19.

The 2023 spring turkey season will run from April 19 through May 30 and includes six, seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday. All seven turkey management zones will be open for hunting. 

With the spring hunt almost here, hunters should brush up on turkey hunting regulations in the Fall 2022-Spring 2023 Combined Hunting Regulations. For answers to frequently asked questions, visit the DNR’s Turkey Hunting in Wisconsin webpage.                                 

Registering your turkey harvest remains a critical component of wildlife population management. Turkey registration is mandatory. Hunters must register their turkey by 5 p.m. the day after recovery at gamereg.wi.gov or by phone at 1-844-426-3734. Hunters will need the number found on their paper or electronic harvest authorization to register their turkey.

Youth under the age of 16 may hunt during the spring turkey youth hunt April 15-16. Hunters under the age of 12 and youth without a hunter education safety certificate can participate in the youth turkey hunt under the mentored hunting program. A qualified adult must accompany the youth and follow the youth turkey hunting and mentored hunting program rules.

Youth hunters must possess a valid spring turkey license, stamp and harvest authorization. A harvest authorization for any period can be used during the youth hunt weekend, but youth hunters must hunt within the turkey management zone indicated on their harvest authorization. More information about Wisconsin youth hunts can be found on the DNR’s Youth Hunt webpage.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.