Spring Turkey Youth Hunt

Alex Reas (12 years old) of Rhinelander successfully harvested his first spring turkey during the 2009 season. Congratulations Alex!

The 2009 youth hunt will take place April 11 and 12th.

2007 marked the first year Wisconsin youth were able to participate in an annual spring turkey youth hunt. The hunt is designed to give youth hunters, ages 12 - 15 that have successfully completed a hunter education program, an opportunity to hunt turkeys and gain valuable hunting experience.

Youth Hunt Rules and Regulations

• Open to youth hunters 12 - 15 years of age (residents and non-residents) who possess a hunter education certification of accomplishment and a spring turkey license, stamp, and a valid carcass tag for the spring 2009 season.
• Youth are allowed to hunt on April 11 and 12th, regardless of what time period their permit is issued for. They may only hunt in the Turkey Management Zone their permit was issued for, and may only harvest one male or bearded turkey total, during this 2 day hunt. If they have more than one tag, it does not matter which tag they use, as long as it is for the zone they will be hunting in. All other spring turkey hunting rules and regulations apply.
• A youth who does not successfully harvest a turkey during the 2 day youth hunt may use their unfilled carcass tag during the time period and in the zone for which the carcass tag was issued. A carcass tag that was used to tag a turkey during the 2 day youth hunt may not be reused to harvest and additional turkey during the time period for which the carcass tag is valid.
• Hunters shall be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
• One adult may not accompany more than 2 hunters and all other spring turkey hunting regulations apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I hunt in a park unit designated as a disabled only hunting zone?

  Answer: Only disabled hunters are allowed to receive permits in designated disabled only hunting zones (5B, 10B, 11A, 12A, 15B, 25A). If a youth disabled hunter ages 12-15 receives a disabled only park hunting permit, they are allowed to go hunting in the park during the youth hunt.

• Does the adult whom is accompanying the youth hunter need to be licensed?

  Answer: No license is required to accompany another hunter or call for another hunter. Adults do need to keep in mind they are not allowed to possess a firearm, bow or crossbow during the youth spring turkey hunt, even with a valid license.

• I didn’t receive a permit through the preference drawing, how can I still participate in the youth hunt?

  Answer: Spring turkey permits that remain after the preference drawing will be made available for purchase until the time period and zone quotas are met. Leftover permit typically go on sale in late March. To participate in the Youth Hunt a permit, license, and stamp must be purchased. Youth may only hunt in the Turkey Management Zone their permit was issued for during the Youth Hunt.

• How close do the adult mentor and youth hunter need to be while hunting?

  Answer: "Accompany" means within visual and voice contact without the aid of any mechanical or electronically amplified device, except for a hearing aid. Please keep in mind turkey hunting is a unique sport and requires extra safety precautions. Hunting mentors are highly encouraged to be within an arms reach when accompanying a new turkey hunter.

For more information on this topic, send mail to: Assistant Upland Ecologist

Questions for Wildlife Management