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H U N T I N G S E A S O N

P e r i o d A : A p r. 1 5 - 2 1 P e r i o d D : M a y 6 - 1 2 -

P e r i o d B : A p r. 2 2 - 2 8 P e r i o d E : M a y 1 3 - 1 9

P e r i o d C : A p r. 2 9 - M a y 5 P e r i o d F : M a y 2 0 - 2 6

Y o u t h H u n t : A p r. 1 1 - 1 2

Wisconsin’s regular spring turkey season is split into six one-week periods April 15-May 26. Turkeys are unique compared to other upland game birds in that they are pursued during their breeding season. To avoid disrupting breeding activities, the season is split into six one-week periods and seven geographical zones across the state, plus Fort McCoy.

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C O N T A C T

ALAINA GERRITSA L A I N A . G E R R I T S @ W I S C O N S I N . G O V

Andy

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S E A S O N O U T L O O K

Turkey hunting remains the second-most popular hunting season in the state, behind deer hunting. During the 2019 spring turkey season, a total of 213,078 harvest authorizations were issued, with 135,421 awarded through the drawing and 77,657 sold over the counter.

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During the 2019 spring turkey hunting season, permitted hunters harvested 38,556 turkeys. The spring harvest has consistently been around 40,000 birds for the past several years.

3 8 , 5 5 6H A R V E S T

Upland staff believe turkeys entered into fall and winter in good condition, which should likely lead to good production this spring. Staff expect hunters will have lots of opportunities for hunting this spring, pending the severity of the remainder of the winter weather. So far, winter has been relatively mild. Since their reintroduction, turkeys have proven themselves to be incredibly hardy birds able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Turkeys may also lose considerable percentages of their body weights over winter and survive into spring.

Hunters across the state are excited for the spring hunting season, which has drawn consistent interest in recent years. This spring, the number of hunters applying for the spring drawing reached 134,189.

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H U N T E R P A R T I C I P A T I O NS E A S O N S U P P O R T

T U R K E Y M A N A G E M E N T Z O N E S

W O N D E R I N G W H E N A N D W H E R E T O H U N T ?

A B C D E F Total

1 24% 17% 15% 12% 14% 15% 17.3%

2 24% 20% 16% 14% 15% 12% 18.3%

3 26% 18% 17% 14% 17% 17% 19.6%

4 24% 19% 14% 16% 13% 18% 18.5%

5 22% 18% 16% 11% 14% 11% 15.9%

6 27% 21% 16% 15% 11% 12% 17.9%

7 20% 16% 11% 9% 7% 7% 12.0%Ft. McCoy 30% 42% 29% 15% 19% 27% 27.1%

Total 24% 18% 16% 13% 14% 14% 18.1%

H U N T E R S U C C E S S R A T E S

There are still bonus harvest authorizations to be had in many periods and zones, especially in southern zones. These authorizations go on sale from March 16-20, depending on zone.

Zone 1: Monday, March 16 Zone 2: Tuesday, March 17 Zone 3: Wednesday, March 18Zone 4: Thursday, March 19Zone 5: Friday, March 20Zone 6: Friday, March 20Zone 7: Friday, March 20

Click here to find out which zones and periods have leftover harvest authorizations available.

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M I S S T H E A P P L I C A T I O N D E A D L I N E ?

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The 2019 spring harvest success rate, uncorrected for non-participation, was 18.1%. This comes despite some reports of uncharacteristic turkey breeding behavior during the early and middle time periods, which may have resulted in some toms being less responsive to calling.

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In 2019, favorable weather conditions led to a 49% increase in harvest, with 1,953 birds registered during the Youth Hunt. This year’s Youth Hunt takes place on April 11 and 12.

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