2010 spring turkey, black bear permit application deadline Dec 10

Weekly News Article Published: December 1, 2009 by the Central Office

MADISON – Turkey and black bear hunters have until close of business Dec. 10 to apply for available permits for the 2010 spring turkey season and the 2010 black bear season.

Final permit levels for the spring turkey hunting season are set at 225,420 total permits (not including State Park & Disabled Only Hunting Zones). This is a slight increase from 225,120 total permits available for the 2009 spring season.

Total permit availability for the 2010 black bear season has not been determined yet. It is possible there will be more permits available for 2010. Permit levels will be taken up by the state Natural Resources Board at its Jan. 27-28 meeting.

Hunters registered 3,907 black bears in 2009. This number is preliminary and likely will change when all registration stubs are collected and entered. Hunters registered 2,955 bears in 2008.

Applications for each of these two permit drawings cost $3 and may be purchased at all authorized license agents, through the Online Licensing Center of the DNR Web site, Wisconsin DNR Service Centers, or by calling toll free 1-877-LICENSE (1-877-945-4236). Applications postmarked after the Dec. 10 deadline or filled out incorrectly will not be considered for the drawing.

Spring 2010 turkey season

Turkey hunters are reminded that turkey management zones have been consolidated. The number of turkey hunting zones has been reduced to seven large zones instead of the previous 46-zone structure. There is still the same amount of total turkey hunting area. Each of the new zones combine a number of the smaller zones to give hunters more flexibility to move about in search of wild turkeys.

The 2010 spring turkey season officially begins with the April 10-11 Spring Turkey Youth Hunt. The regular turkey season begins on April 14 and consists of six, 5-day time periods that end on May 23.

The drawing for permits will take place in late January-early February. Successful permit applicants can expect to receive a postcard by mid-February.

Permit winners may then purchase their required 2010 spring turkey license (Resident $15; Nonresident $60) and turkey stamp ($5.25) or bear license ($49). Conservation Patrons and Senior Citizen Recreation Card holders do not need to purchase a turkey license or turkey stamp. A carcass tag will be printed at the time of purchase

Permits remaining after the initial drawing for spring turkey will be issued for sale one zone per day on a first-come first-served basis after March 10, 2010 at a date to be specified later.

Youth turkey hunt April 10-11

The fourth annual Spring Turkey Youth Hunt will be held April 10-11, the weekend prior to the opening Wednesday of the first regular season.

Thanks to the new Mentored Hunting Law, the spring turkey youth hunt will be open to youth 10-15 years of age (residents and nonresidents), with or without hunter education certificate of accomplishment. There are special rules and regulation for those participating in the Mentored Hunting Program and interested hunters should carefully review these rules prior to heading out into the field.

A spring turkey license, stamp, and a valid permit (carcass tag) is required to hunt during the spring youth turkey hunting season. All other existing rules and regulations in regard to turkey hunting zones, hours of hunting, bag limits and more, apply. See the regulations pamphlet for details.

Applications for special turkey hunts for hunters with disabilities also due Dec. 10

As a reminder to those hunters with disabilities who wish to turkey hunt next spring on private lands, there is an alternate opportunity available using a separate application and authorization form.

Applications to conduct a Spring Wild Turkey Hunt for People with Disabilities on private land shall be on department Form 2300-271 and 2300-271A. Forms need to be submitted by Dec. 10 to the local DNR Wildlife Biologist or department office for the county within which the hunt will take place. Please note that any hunter applicant who applies for a disabled turkey hunt on private lands using the above forms may NOT also apply for a permit through the regular spring turkey hunting drawing. For additional information, please visit the Wild Turkey page of the DNR Web site.

Free turkey hunter education clinics begin in February

Free turkey hunter education clinics will again be offered statewide, occurring February through April. Clinics cover turkey biology and behavior, turkey hunting methods, regulations, safety precautions, and hunter/landowner ethics. Clinic sites and dates are still being finalized. Information on where clinics will be held will be available on the DNR’s Wild Turkey website in early January, at DNR Service Centers, or by calling (608) 261-8458. Additional clinics may be added after the initial listing. Hunters that initially do not find a clinic in their area should periodically check the Internet or at a DNR Service Center for updates.

Black Bear

The 2010 black bear hunting season runs Sept. 8 through Oct. 12.

Hunters are not permitted to use dogs and can only hunt over bait or by other means in Zones A, B and D during the Sept 8-14 period; dogs, bait and other means may be used Sept. 15-Oct. 5, and dogs only may be used Oct. 6-12 in these zones.

In Zone C where dogs are prohibited, hunters may hunt bear over bait or by other means Sept. 8 through Oct. 12.

In 2009, hunters registered 1,519 bears in Zone A; 869 bears in Zone B; 683 bears in Zone C; and 829 bears in Zone D. There were 7 unknown bears recorded.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Fandel (for Spring Turkey Info) (608) 261-8458; Linda Olver (for Bear Info) (608) 261-7588

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