The Countdown for Wisconsin Bear and Turkey Hunting
Attention all bear and turkey enthusiasts! The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is sending out a friendly reminder: the application deadline for the 2026 black bear and spring turkey hunting seasons is quickly approaching—11:59 p.m., Wednesday, December 10. This is your chance to either snag those coveted harvest authorizations or to buy some preference points for future draws. You can apply through the Go Wild portal or any authorized license agent. And remember, applying is easier than explaining to your buddy why you didn’t uphold your ‘wildlife expert’ reputation!
Why You Should Care About Bear and Turkey Tags
Last year, more than 32,000 intrepid hunters applied for one of the 13,110 bear tags available. That's a lot of folks who are hoping that bear meat will be the highlight of their outdoor adventures! But the real spice is in the turkey tag applications, which are drawn solely through a preference-based system where you could also find yourself regarding an unsuspecting turkey as the main course on your Thanksgiving dinner table. The spring turkey drawing occurs late December, so keep your fingers crossed it works out for you!
Get Ready for the NRB Meeting!
On December 10, while you’re stressing over deadlines, don't forget that the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will be meeting in Madison—maybe you can drop by to calm your nerves and watch decision-makers in action! Meeting kicks off at 8:30 a.m., and they’ll be diving into important topics like elk permits, turkey management, and more. And who knows, you might just hear a discussion about your dream state park where you can pitch a tent or launch your boat!
Fishing Excitement on the Ice
If tagging bears and turkeys isn’t your cup of tea, fear not! The Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo is on the horizon, happening from December 12-14 at the EAA Grounds in Oshkosh. New this year: an additional hangar to accommodate more ice fishing aficionados! You'll discover all the coolest gear that’s ‘ice-tastic’ and have access to seminars and competitions! Kids can even participate in a fish bingo game—because if there’s one thing that correlates with being a good angler, it’s a good bingo game, right?
Embrace Outdoor Adventure Traditions
With all these upcoming events and deadlines, you might be wondering: how do I get my family involved? One great way to enhance family outdoor adventures (and maybe convince everyone that hiking isn’t a punishment) is to explore Wisconsin's stunning landscapes. Adventure tourism in Wisconsin offers abundant options like hiking trails, scenic lakes, and breathtaking state parks. The family can camp, fish, or even partake in winter activities like snowshoeing and ice fishing! Besides, nothing says 'team bonding' like working together to avoid frostbite when you step outside for that early morning hunt!
Time to Take Action!
With deadlines creeping up for those hunting applications, you don’t want to be the person who suddenly realizes they missed the chance to hunt for their 2026 turkey meat sandwich or bear stew. Get those applications in soon—because there’s nothing more adventurous than navigating the wilderness and filling your freezer with home-cooked goodness!
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