Wisconsin Fall turkey season to be extended in five turkey management zones

[Woody]

MADISON – Wisconsin’s fall turkey hunting season will be extended in five turkey management zones this fall, under a two-year trial period that has passed legislative review. Turkey hunters in zones 1 through 5 will be able to take advantage of the late season this year.

The regular fall turkey hunting seasons this year runs from Sept. 12 through Nov. 19 in all seven turkey hunting zones. The extended season starts Nov. 30, the Monday following the November gun deer hunt, and runs through Dec. 31 in zones 1 through 5 only. There is no extended season in zones 6 and 7 in northern Wisconsin. The extension does not appear in the printed hunting regulations because it was approved after publication deadlines.

“We are pleased to offer this additional opportunity to our hunters,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank. “The reestablishment of wild turkeys in Wisconsin is a wildlife success story, and both the spring and fall turkey hunts have become tremendously popular. Turkey hunting is often a family activity, and it is helping to introduce new generations of youngsters to the beauty and excitement of Wisconsin’s great outdoors.”

Hunters who received a turkey permit in Zones 1-5 in the fall drawing can use those permits during the extended season in the zone for which they were issued. Permits left over from the fall drawing went on sale August 29. Permits are available on-line at dnr.wi.gov, at any licensed sales vendor or by calling 1-877-WILICENSE (1-877-945-4236).

Leftover permits –which are available only in zones 1, 3 and 4 this year –will be issued on a one per-day basis. The cost is $10 for state residents and $15 for non-residents. Fall leftover permit availability and a turkey zone map can be found on the Wild Turkey page of the DNR Web site.

Following the extended season in 2010, DNR wildlife managers will evaluate the results and the Natural Resources Board will consider whether the extended season should be made permanent.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hull - (608) 267-7861 or Bob Manwell - (608) 264-9248