(DNR) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced preliminary totals for the 2025 spring turkey season. Wisconsin turkey hunters registered 50,287 birds this season, a 14% increase from the five-year average.
The 2025 spring turkey season started on April 12 with the two-day youth hunt for hunters under 16 years old. A total of 3,981 birds were registered during the youth hunt, an increase from 3,967 in 2024.
The regular season is divided into six separate one-week periods, opening April 16 and closing May 27. These separate periods help maximize hunter opportunities while minimizing interference for a more sustainable harvest.
A total of 246,068 authorizations were available this spring, and hunters applied for or purchased 228,844 of them. The robust participation and harvest numbers demonstrate ample opportunities across the state.
The deadline to apply for next spring’s (2026) turkey season is Dec. 10. Hunters can apply for harvest authorizations online through the Go Wild license portal.
Learn more about turkey hunting in Wisconsin on the DNR’s Turkey Hunting webpage.
