News

Mar 02, 2024

Be Aware And Stay Safe During Spring Turkey Hunting Season

Contact: DNR Office of [email protected] MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds turkey hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to be aware and stay safe

Contact: DNR Office of [email protected]

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds turkey hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to be aware and stay safe during the 2023 spring turkey season April 19 through May 30, 2023. The youth turkey hunt is April 15-16, 2023.

Hunters and public land users may be sharing fields and forests during the season and need to be aware and alert of others in their area. Hunters should follow safety rules, and non-hunters enjoying public lands should consider wearing blaze orange.

Hunter camouflage is an important part of hunting turkey, but it may also present a problem. The better camouflaged and concealed you are, the less likely another hunter will be able to see you, and the more likely you could be mistaken for a turkey.

Wearing the wrong color could put turkey hunters at risk. It’s especially important to avoid wearing red, white or blue. If a fellow hunter sees a flash of those colors through the brush, you could be mistaken for a turkey.

To dress for success and safety, follow these tips from the National Wild Turkey Federation:

HUNTER SAFETY REMINDERS

In addition to watching your wardrobe, the DNR reminds hunters to practice the four rules of firearm safety (TAB-K) before taking to the field. Any hunting incident can be attributed to a violation of one or more of these rules. They are:

Not knowing your target is the most frequently broken rule.

Hunters also are encouraged to practice these additional safety tips:

Some turkey hunters use a fanned turkey tail to conceal themselves, often referred to as “fanning.” A technique gaining popularity is reaping, where the hunter hides behind a fan as they move toward the turkey, often prompting the bird to challenge them.

Although this technique is legal in Wisconsin, it presents potential safety risks. Hunters should take the following safety measures if they choose to give reaping a try:

PUBLIC LAND USERS

If you are out enjoying public lands, please be mindful of what you’re wearing before heading out to state fields, trails or forests during spring turkey season.

Avoid a hunting incident by wearing blaze orange clothing and avoiding wearing red, white and blue.

The regular turkey hunting season ends May 30. More information on the 2023 spring turkey season, including safety tips, is available on the DNR’s website.