Wild turkey hunters and black bear hunters have until close of business on Dec. 10 to apply for available permits for the 2014 hunting seasons.
Spring 2014 turkey season
Preliminary permit levels for the 2014 spring turkey season are set at the same level as in 2013. Final permit levels are not set until after the close of the fall turkey season, but will likely not differ significantly from preliminary permit levels.
The 2014 season officially begins with the April 12-13 Youth Hunt. The regular season begins on the following Wed., April 16, and consists of six 7-day time periods, ending on May 27. The drawing for permits will take place in late December or early January.  Successful permit applicants can expect to receive a postcard by late January and they may check their status through the Online Licensing Center on the DNR website starting in late January.
Permit winners may then purchase their required 2014 Spring Turkey License ($15 Wisconsin residents/$60 non-residents; go to dnr.wi.gov and search for “first-time buyer” to see if you qualify for reduced license costs) and 2014 Wild Turkey Stamp ($5.25). Conservation Patrons and Senior Citizen Recreation Card holders do not need to purchase a turkey license or stamp. Permits remaining after the initial drawing will be available for purchase in late March.
Applications to conduct a Spring Wild Turkey Hunt for People with Disabilities on private land must be submitted using DNR Forms 2300-271 and 2300-271A. Forms need to be submitted by Dec. 10th to the local DNR Wildlife Biologist or county office within which the hunt will take place. Any hunter who applies for a disabled turkey hunt on private lands may not also apply for a regular permit.
Black bear
Bear hunters are reminded that harvest permits are strictly limited, and hunters must apply for several years before receiving a permit.
Harvest numbers from the 2013 black bear season are not finalized, but hunters harvested more than 3,800 bears in during the season. DNR staff and the bear advisory committee are in the process of determining 2014 quotas.
Bear hunters can apply for a permit or purchase a preference point for future years. In order for bear permit applicants to retain their accumulated preference points, they must apply at least once during any three consecutive year period or they will lose all previously accumulated preference points.
If a zone is selected at the time of purchase and the hunter is selected in the February drawing, their preference points will be reset to zero, even if they do not purchase the harvest permit. Winners in the drawing will be notified by mail shortly after the drawing and may purchase their 2014 Class A bear license beginning in early March.
The 2014 bear season runs from Sept. 3 – Oct. 7 with bait hunters starting first in all zones. Apply online, at license agents, DNR service centers or by phone.
Applications for the permit drawing cost $3 and may be purchased through: the DNR website (dnr.wi.gov, key words ‘Online Licensing Center’); at any DNR Service Center; at all authorized license agents; or by calling toll-free 1-877-WI LICENSE (1-877-945-4236).