Wisconsin Hunting Regulations, Fall 2026-Spring 2027

The Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations are now available for hunters to look through. In addition to this web version of the regulations, a print copy is available at most license agent locations. Both versions contain the same information.

To use the online regulations, you must first choose a Section or click the "View All Regulations" button to see everything. You may then choose a Subsection to narrow your search and then press the View Regulation button to display the regulatory information you selected. If you'd like to see all info related to a section, select the first option ("-") to see everything under that section. You may also press Reset for a brand new search.

Please be aware that hunters are responsible for reading and following all the hunting regulations. Regulations that apply to all species are found within the "General Hunting" and "Licensing Requirements" sections, meanwhile species-specific regulations are found in the respective species sections.

Turkey Season Dates and Bag Limits

Fall Season	Area/Period	Dates	Bag Limit
Fall 2026	Statewide	Sept. 12-Jan. 3, 2027	One turkey of any age or sex per harvest authorization.

Spring Season	Area/Period	Dates	Bag Limit
Youth 2027	The turkey zone for which the harvest authorization was issued	April 17-18	One bearded or male turkey per hunter.
Spring 2027	Period A	April 21-27	One bearded or male turkey per harvest authorization.
Spring 2027	Period B	April 28-May 4	One bearded or male turkey per harvest authorization.
Spring 2027	Period C	May 5-11	One bearded or male turkey per harvest authorization.
Spring 2027	Period D	May 12-18	One bearded or male turkey per harvest authorization.
Spring 2027	Period E	May 19-25	One bearded or male turkey per harvest authorization.
Spring 2027	Period F	May 26-June 1	One bearded or male turkey per harvest authorization.

Licensing Requirements

Licenses/Stamps/Harvest Authorizations

What You Need To Hunt Turkey:

Spring turkey hunting license, if hunting in spring.
Fall turkey license, if hunting in fall.
Wild turkey stamp (valid for spring and fall).
An unfilled turkey harvest authorization valid for the season, period and zone you are hunting.

Note: A person is considered to be hunting turkey if they possess a firearm, airgun, crossbow or bow and arrow and turkey decoys or a turkey call during an open turkey season.

Management Zones

Note: To hunt turkey in a state park that is open to hunting, you must hold a harvest authorization for the general zone (i.e., zones 1–7) in which the park is located.

A downloadable version of the Wild Turkey Management Zone Map is also available.

Registration

Turkey Registration is Mandatory

All harvested turkeys must be registered either online via GameReg or by phone at 844-426-3734 (844-GAME-REG) by 5 p.m. on the day after recovery.

Hunters will need to use their authorization number to register a turkey.
No in-person registration stations are available.
Hunters will be given a harvest registration confirmation number for their records when registration is complete.

Turkey Hunting Regulations

*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.