Wisconsin DNR: Deadlines Approaching For Bear & Turkey Applications
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds bear and turkey hunters that applications for the 2025 black bear and spring turkey hunting seasons are due by 11:59pm on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024.
Hunters can apply for harvest authorizations or purchase preference points toward future drawings through Go Wild or an authorized license agent.
Black Bear Harvest Authorizations
The drawing for 2025 black bear harvest authorizations will occur in February. Applicants selected in the drawing are notified by mail shortly after and may purchase their 2025 Class A bear license beginning in March 2025. Applicants may check their status online through their Go Wild customer account.
State law requires bear permit applicants to apply at least once during any period of three consecutive years to retain their accumulated preference points; otherwise, all accumulated preference points will be lost. When an applicant is selected in the drawing, their preference points will be reset to zero, even if they do not purchase the harvest permit.
Nearly 135,000 people applied for a bear hunting license or preference point for the 2024 season. To help hunters make hunting plans, a full breakdown of the 2024 bear license drawing results and license wait times is available online.
