Are You Ready For Spring Turkey Season 2021?
The 2021 spring turkey hunt is almost here. Make sure you have what you need to make the most of the spring season. Rules, regulations and shooting hours are available on the DNR website and in the Hunt Wild mobile app.
All turkey hunters will need:
- A 2021 spring turkey hunting license
- A 2021 turkey stamp
- A 2021 turkey harvest authorization for the zone and time period you’re hunting
Youth hunters may use a harvest authorization for any time period and hunt in the zone indicated on their authorization. The 2021 spring turkey season will run from April 21 through June 1, with six seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday. All seven turkey management zones will be open for hunting.
Successful hunters should remember that harvest registration remains a critical component of wildlife population management and 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 their harvest authorization number to register their turkey, located on a paper or digital copy of their harvest authorization.
Youth Turkey Hunt Set For April 17-18
Youth under the age of 16 may hunt during the spring turkey youth hunt April 17-18. Hunters under the age of 12 and youth without hunter safety can participate in the youth turkey hunt under the mentored hunting program. Youth must be accompanied by a qualified adult 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 time 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 can be found on the youth hunt page on the DNR website.
Wisconsin's Public Lands Are The Perfect Place To Pursue Birds This Spring
Each year, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts use Wisconsin's public lands for a variety of activities, ranging from birdwatching to hunting. For those interested in exploring all Wisconsin has to offer, the department has several tools available to help users find a new favorite spot in the wild.
The DNR’s free Hunt Wild mobile app gives hunters the tools they need to plan their time in the field, combining public lands mapping, rules and regulations, shooting hours and the option to link their Go Wild account.
Through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, public access to nearly 40,000 acres of private land is available through the Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) and the Turkey Hunter Access Program (THAP). More information and interactive property maps for VPA-HIP and THAP are available on the DNR website.
Hunters who would like to pursue turkeys in a state park must hold a harvest authorization for the turkey management zone in which the park is located. Spring turkey hunting is allowed in select state parks during the two-day youth hunt and the first two time periods of the regular season. For more information regarding hunting in state parks, click here.
The Fort McCoy spring turkey hunting season is managed separately from the State of Wisconsin spring turkey hunt. Hunters who do not receive a harvest authorization through the Wisconsin spring turkey drawing are eligible to apply for a spring permit at Fort McCoy. Applications can be obtained from Fort McCoy by calling 608-388-3337 or visiting mccoy.isportsman.net (EXIT DNR).