DNR encourages kids to participate in youth turkey hunt April 12-13

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds families, mentors and young hunters that there’s still time to plan and participate in the 2025 statewide youth turkey hunt April 12-13.

Each year, the youth turkey hunt gives hunters under 16 the opportunity to feel the excitement of turkey season and gain valuable hunting experience before the regular turkey season begins.

Youth hunters must have a spring turkey license, wild turkey stamp and valid harvest authorization. All of these are available online through Go Wild or at any license sales agent around the state.

Youth hunters may use a harvest authorization for any period during the youth hunt, but they must hunt within the turkey management zone indicated on their harvest authorization. Harvest authorizations not filled during the youth hunt may be filled during the regular hunting season in the corresponding zone.

During this two-day youth hunt, the bag limit is one male or bearded turkey.

To participate in the mentored hunt program, youth hunters must be accompanied by a qualified adult 18 years of age or older. An adult cannot accompany more than two youth hunters at one time. Only one youth hunter can follow the mentored hunting program if the adult is attending to more than one youth hunter. More information on mentoring a hunter is available on the DNR’s mentored hunting webpage. (https://dnr. wisconsin.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/mentor).

New hunters can commemorate their first harvest with an official certificate. Follow the instructions on the DNR’s First Harvest Certificate webpage (https://apps. dnr.wi.gov/harvestcertificate/Home/Index/TURKEY) and upload information about the experience.

Full regulations, harvest registration information and other helpful turkey hunting information can be found at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/turkey.

Harvest registration is a critical component of wildlife population management, and turkey registration is mandatory for all turkey hunters, including youth hunters.

Hunters must register their turkey by 5 p.m. the day after recovery online via GameReg or by calling 1-844426-3734. Hunters will need their harvest authorization number to register their turkey.