Hm Turkey
Julie Followell
Occurs in woods mixed with open country; often forages by scratching in leaf litter. Females and adult males typically form separate flocks; female flocks can be up to 30 in summer, larger in winter.
Turkeys are dark overall with a bronze-green iridescence to most of their plumage. Their wings are dark, boldly barred with white. Their rump and tail feathers are broadly tipped with rusty or white. The bare skin of the head and neck varies from red to blue to gray.
Turkeys travel in flocks and search on the ground for nuts, berries, insects, and snails. They use their strong feet to scratch leaf litter out of the way. In early spring, males gather in clearings to perform courtship displays. They puff up their body feathers, flare their tails into a vertical fan, and strut slowly while giving a characteristic gobbling call. At night, turkeys fly up into trees to roost in groups.
Wild Turkeys live in mature forests, particularly nut trees such as oak, hickory, or beech, interspersed with edges and fields. You may also see them along roads and in woodsy backyards. After being hunted out of large parts of their range, turkeys were reintroduced and are numerous once again.
Farm to Family by Butterball turkey is raised with no antibiotics ever and healthy diets designed to give them the nutrients they need. Our turkeys are raised by farmers who care about providing you with the best turkey products they can.
NOTE: A person authorized to purchase a license for a permit or harvest authorization issued under a cumulative preference drawing may transfer their awarded permit or harvest authorization to another who meets the required qualifications on the Authorization Transfer webpage.
After the preference drawing is complete, all remaining turkey harvest authorizations, now called bonus harvest authorizations, will be sold over the counter. Bonus harvest authorizations will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Each zone will have a designated sales date. The first zone went on sale on March 18. Hunters may buy leftover harvest authorizations on a one-per-day basis until they are sold out or the season is over. Visit the Spring Bonus Harvest Authorizations page or Fall Bonus Harvest Authorizations page for more information.
Since March 2019, Fort McCoy hunting and fishing permits are no longer available through Go Wild. Instead, hunters should use Fort McCoy's license system, iSportsman, for on-base hunting and fishing privileges.
Spring turkey harvest authorizations are issued through a preference-based drawing system. Harvest authorizations are issued by evaluating every combination of zones and time periods the applicant would accept. Applicants can choose two-time period-zone combinations and one zone they'd get any time (if the first two choices are unavailable). A harvest authorization can only be issued if that time period and zone are listed on the application. For the greatest chance of receiving a harvest authorization through the preference drawing, applicants should diversify their options by listing all time periods and zones they would be willing to accept.
The drawing issues one harvest authorization to as many applicants as possible. The remaining harvest authorizations will be sold after the drawing as Bonus Authorizations. Under no circumstances can a harvest authorization be exchanged for a different time period or zone. Please refer to the Turkey Hunting Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the turkey drawing and preference point systems.
The Mentored Hunting Program allows hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, to obtain a hunting license and harvest authorization without first completing Hunter Education. The hunter must be accompanied by a licensed hunter, hunt within arm's reach of their mentor and comply with all of the requirements under the Mentored Hunting Program. This one-on-one mentoring opportunity gives first-time hunters a chance to try hunting. It enables veteran hunters to pass on their passion for the outdoors and help keep Wisconsin's hunting heritage strong.
The Learn to Hunt Program is an educational opportunity outside of the regular hunting season, designed to help inexperienced hunters of all ages have a high-quality, safe, and rewarding first-time hunting experience under the guidance of qualified Hunter Education instructors and hunting mentors. Participants will receive both classroom and field instruction before hunting. All participants will be paired with a qualified mentor to provide the highest level of education and safety. Many Learn to Hunt events are sponsored by local conservation clubs and organizations under the supervision of the DNR.
Wisconsin provides a variety of hunting permits for those with disabilities. This opportunity is intended to help people with disabilities enjoy the state's natural resources. Turkey hunters with a Class A, B, or C disabled hunting permit may apply for the Wild Turkey Hunt for People with Disabilities using Forms 2300-271 and 2300-271A. Applications are only valid on designated private land. Applications must be completed and submitted by Dec. 10. Any hunter applying for a disabled hunt on private land may not apply for a harvest authorization through the regular spring turkey drawing.
Wisconsin's annual Youth Hunt is designed to allow young hunters to hunt and gain valuable experience without competing against more veteran hunters. The Youth Hunt is open to resident and nonresident hunters under age 16 with a valid spring turkey license, stamp and harvest authorization. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. All youth hunters must have completed Hunter Education unless participating in the Mentored Hunting Program. Youth Hunters can use a harvest authorization for any time period, but they are limited to the turkey management zone associated with their approval. All other spring turkey hunting regulations apply.
With support from the USDA, the DNR partners with private landowners to lease public access to hunting habitats across Wisconsin for the Turkey Hunter Access Program (THAP) and the Voluntary Public Access (VPA) Program. Additionally, through the Managed Forest Law (MFL) and Forest Crop Law (FCL) programs, private forest lands are open to the public for recreation, including turkey hunting.
It's a good idea to wear a blaze orange cap or gloves while walking. Find a hunting spot that allows you to rest your back against a tree or other object as wide as your shoulders. This helps protect you from not only an errant shot but from the good vision of the turkey. See the printable Turkey hunting safety tips.
To hunt wild turkey in Wisconsin, you need a turkey harvest authorization (formerly known as a carcass tag/permit), a turkey license and a wild turkey stamp. An annual turkey stamp, a spring turkey license, a fall turkey license and a fall turkey harvest authorization can be purchased through Go Wild and are included with a Conservation Patron License or a Senior Citizen Recreation Card. A spring turkey harvest authorization can be obtained through the spring turkey drawing or purchased as a bonus harvest authorization. Visit the turkey hunting webpage for more information.
Spring turkey harvest authorizations (formerly known as carcass tag/permit) are distributed using a preference-based drawing system. Hunters must submit a $3 application to receive a turkey harvest authorization. Applications are available at any DNR service center, licensing agent or online through Go Wild. The application deadline is Dec. 10. Application status can be checked through Go Wild. Successful applicants will be notified by mail. After the drawing occurs, bonus turkey harvest authorizations will be sold over the counter on a first-come, first-served basis.
The spring harvest authorization drawing takes place in late January. Successful applicants will be notified by postcard. Application status can also be checked through Go Wild at a DNR service center or by calling 1-888-WDNRINFO (1-888-936-7463).
New for 2018, one fall turkey harvest authorization is included with each fall turkey or conservation patron license at no extra cost. Hunters will choose the zone they would like to hunt at the time of purchase. Select zones will have bonus fall turkey harvest authorizations available for sale starting in August.
While hunting turkeys, you must have a valid copy of your license, stamp and harvest authorization (formerly a carcass tag/permit). This includes a DNR-issued Conservation Card, a Go Wild validated WI driver's license, a Go Wild digital file or a paper printout.
It is required by law to register your turkey by 5 p.m. the day after harvest. The harvest authorization number (formerly known as a tag number) is required to register your harvest successfully. Register online or over the phone through GameReg. In-person registration stations are no longer available. Visit the turkey hunting webpage for more information.
When you purchase a stamp through Go Wild, you purchase electronic permission. A physical copy of the turkey stamp is no longer necessary to legally harvest a bird, but many people still want the stamp for collection purposes. You can get a physical copy of your turkey stamp at any DNR service center or request it is mailed. Visit the collector stamp webpage for more information on obtaining a copy of your stamp or purchasing additional stamps.
The bag limit for the spring season is one bearded or male turkey per spring turkey harvest authorization (formerly known as a carcass tag/permit). The fall season bag limit is one turkey of any age or sex per fall turkey harvest authorization.
Preference points are awarded to applicants who applied for but did not receive a turkey harvest authorization (formerly known as a carcass tag/permit) the previous season. The more points you have, the higher you rank in your preferred category. Preference points are cumulative but expire if you do not apply at least once in a 3-year period. Points are returned to zero upon receiving a turkey harvest authorization or expiration.
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