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Turkey Hunting Regulations

Turkey

*Be aware that the general hunting regulations also apply, in addition to the species-specific regulations below. Read the info in the General and Licensing Requirements section in the Wisconsin Hunting Regulations.

General Turkey Hunting Regulations

It is illegal to:

  • Hunt wild turkeys by any means other than a shotgun or muzzle-loading shotgun, crossbow or a bow and arrow.
  • Hunt wild turkeys with any ammunition other than an arrow, bolt or shot shell that consists of more than one projectile.
  • Use recorded or electrically amplified bird calls or sounds or possess any type of device that produces recorded or electronic amplifications of bird calls or sounds while hunting wild turkeys.
    Note: This does not apply to hunters possessing a Class A or B disabled hunting permit which authorizes hunting from a stationary vehicle and which is issued for more than one year or to hunters who are deaf or severely hard of hearing as verified by a medical professional.
  • Hunt wild turkeys with the aid of dogs, except during the fall turkey season.
  • Use live or electronic decoys for the purposes of enticing wild turkeys.
  • Possess a firearm, airgun bow or crossbow during the spring turkey season without also possessing a turkey hunting license, stamp and valid, unused harvest authorization if you or a member of your hunting party possess a turkey decoy or calling device while afield.
Spring Harvest Authorization Drawing System

Turkey harvest authorizations are distributed by a drawing using a cumulative preference system that determines when applications go into the drawing. For more information on the turkey drawing, visit the website and click the “Turkey Hunter FAQ” tab.

Bonus Fall Or Spring Turkey Harvest Authorizations

Spring harvest authorizations that are not awarded through the drawing, as well as bonus fall harvest authorizations, will be sold at license sales locations and at gowild.wi.gov. For more information, click the “Turkey Hunter FAQ” tab on this page.

Assisting Other Hunters

No license is required to call turkeys for another hunter if the caller does not possess a firearm, airgun, bow or crossbow. However, a guide license is required if a fee is charged.

Baiting Turkeys

It is illegal to use bait to hunt turkeys. However, hunting over agricultural crops and wildlife food plots planted and left standing is legal.