Turkey & Bear Hunt Application Due Saturday

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds wild turkey hunters that applications for the 2023 season are due by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 10. These applications include the youth hunt as well as the special hunting permit for those with disabilities.

Applications for the black bear 2023 season are also due by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 10.

Hunters can apply for harvest authorizations or purchase preference points toward future drawings at GoWild.wi.gov or through an authorized license agent.

Turkey harvest authorizations are issued through a preference-based drawing system. All turkey hunters must possess a valid spring turkey license and wild turkey stamp when they acquire their spring turkey harvest authorization. A 2023 spring turkey license is $15 for Wisconsin residents and $60 for non-residents. The 2023 wild turkey stamp is $5.25. Licenses will go on sale March 1, 2023.

Preliminary estimates show bear hunters harvested approximately 4,100 bears during the 2022 black bear season. Final harvest totals will be available at a later date. In the meantime, DNR staff and the Bear Advisory Committee are currently determining the 2023 harvest quotas. The drawing for 2023 harvest authorizations will take place in early February.

Applicants selected in the drawing are notified by mail shortly after the drawing and may purchase their 2023 Class A bear license beginning in March 2023. Applicants may also check their status online through their Go Wild customer account.

The 2023 spring turkey season is as follows:

Youth Hunt – April 15-16
Period A – April 19-25
Period B – April 26-May 2
Period C – May 3-9
Period D – May 10-16
Period E – May 17-23
Period F – May 24-30

The season structure for the 2023 bear season is as follows:

Zone A, B and D:

Sept. 6 to Sept. 12 – with the aid of dogs only
Sept. 13 to Oct. 3 – with the aid of dogs, aid of bait, and all other legal methods
Oct. 4 to Oct. 10 – with the aid of bait and all legal methods not using dogs

Zone C, E, and F: