MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds families, mentors and young hunters that there’s still time to plan and participate in the 2026 statewide youth turkey hunt April 11-12.
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.
What Youth Hunters Need To Participate
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 time 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 and time period.
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 during the turkey youth hunt. Only one youth hunter per qualified adult can follow the mentored hunting program at any given time. More information on mentoring a hunter is available on the DNR’s Mentored Hunting webpage.
New hunters can commemorate their first harvest with an official certificate. Follow the instructions on the DNR’s First Harvest Certificate webpage and upload information about the experience to receive an official certificate.
Harvest Registration
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 844-426-3734. Hunters will need their harvest authorization number to register their turkey.
Full regulations, harvest registration information and other helpful turkey hunting information can be found on the DNR’s Turkey Hunting and Management webpage.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Published on: Apr 3, 2026 at 7:43 am