Wisconsin's new proposed turkey season structure

[DonBo]

It's Senate Bill LRB-2804/2

Summary:

1. Provides simplification of turkey hunting regulations, and seasons 2. Creates greater turkey hunting opportunity by providing more days a field 3. Allow turkey hunters more flexibility in scheduling their hunts, providing a quality hunting experience for all 4. Requires the DNR to issue over the counter turkey licenses, stamps, and a tag to each qualified resident or nonresident that applies for the license, eliminating the need for a preference system. 5. Over the counter sales will ensure that anyone applying for a turkey tag will receive one 6. Eliminates the short 5 day spring periods and replaces them with a continuous six week season just like the fall. 7. Codifies the DNR administrative rules setting the fall and spring hunting season, the seven hunting zones, the hours of the spring hunt, and the start and end season dates in the statutes. 8. Allows a valid turkey license to be used in all seven turkey hunting zones for the entire season in both the spring and fall. 9. Permits the DNR to issue additional zone specific turkey tags, at a fee, when the resource can sustain additional hunting opportunity. 10. Establishes fees for the additional tags at $9.75 for residents and $14.75 for nonresidents, as is current law. 11. Allows hunters to register their wild turkey carcasses via the telephone or Internet. 12. Permits qualified students enrolled at a public or private university in the state to be eligible for a resident turkey hunting license.