Welcome, fellow hunters! it is time to plan your early Michigan turkey season. We all know that in Michigan, there are over 4.5 million acres of public land that are open to hunting. If you're eager to bag a bird in Michigan, you're in the right place! This post is your ultimate guide to the Michigan Turkey Season Dates and Regulations.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie to the sport, it's essential to know the ins and outs of the season to ensure a successful and legal turkey hunt. So, let's get started!
Michigan Spring Turkey Season
The Spring Turkey Season in Michigan is not fixed every year, but usually starts from April to June.
Spring turkey season: Apr. 20 to Jun. 7, 2024
Bag Limit: one bearded turkey
Michigan Fall Turkey Season
Fall turkey season: Sept. 15 – Nov. 14, 2024
Bag limit: one turkey (any sex)
🔔Note:
If you're looking to hunt spring turkeys in Michigan, you'll need to go through an application process to get a hunting license and quota. The application fee is $5.
Spring turkey application period: Jan. 1 – Feb. 1, 2024
Drawing results available online: Mar. 11, 2024
Click HERE to check your drawing results and see if you are lucky enough to be selected for a limited-quota license for the Spring turkey hunt.
What if you miss the application? No worry, here's the thing: just getting selected in the application drawing isn't the only way to score a hunting license. If you did not apply for it or are not selected, you can also buy a leftover turkey hunting license from any licensing agent, either online or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app for another hunt period. Another option is to buy a Hunt 0234 license.
Michigan Turkey Breeding Season
Southern areas: Late February to early March
Northern areas: April
Michigan Hunting License
| Licenses | Age up to 9 | Junior age 10-16 | Resident age 17-64 | Resident senior age 65+ | Nonresident* age 17+ |
| Mentored youth license | $7.5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application for license drawing | N/A | $5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Base license | N/A | $6 | $11 | $5 | $151 |
| Spring turkey license | N/A | $15 | $15 | $6 | $15 |
| DNR Sportcard | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 |
How to buy a Michigan hunting license?
To buy a hunting license for turkey hunting, you can visit the official site, and do the following:
- If you don't have an account, register an account and profile on the online Licenses&Permits system.
- Hove over the Hunt tab, select the license you want and add it to the shopping cart.
- Pay for the license and then you can print it out.
Hunting Hours In Michigan
Actual legal hunting hours (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. The actual time may vary differently in different zones, no more than 20 minutes.
Where And How To Hunt Turkey In Michigan?
To find public lands or private lands for hunting in Michigan is easy. There is a mapping application called ''Mi-HUNT'' that offers up-to-date information and helps you find your favorite locations.
By viewing the mapping system, you can find any available hunting areas. Each of them is marked with specific hunting seasons and game species so that you can find the best locations for your hunting plan.
There are a lot of public land and private lands where you can hunt turkey in Michigan. Before the hunt, you should know how to apply for the hunting application. Here is the step:
Step 1: check the following table and choose the nearby Turkey Management Unit that you want to hunt with your desired season
dates.
| Turkey Management Units | Season Dates | License Quota | Hunt Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | April 20 - May 3 | 5,500 | 0101 |
| B | April 20 - May 3 | 1,000 | 0102 |
| E | April 20 - May 3 | 1,700 | 0103 |
| F | April 20 - May 3 | 5,000 | 0105 |
| J | April 20 - May 3 | 4,000 | 0107 |
| K | April 20-26 | 4,000 | 0108 |
| K | April 27 - May3 | 4,500 | 0109 |
| M | April 20 - May 31 | 6,000 | 0110 |
| ZA | April 20-26 and June 1-7 | 1,200 | 0111 |
| ZA | April 27 - May 10 | 1,800 | 0112 |
| ZA | May 11-31 | 1,800 | 0113 |
| ZB | April 20-26 and June 1-7 | 650 | 0115 |
| ZB | April 27 - May 10 | 975 | 0116 |
| ZB | May 11-31 | 975 | 0117 |
| ZC | April 20-26 and June 1-7 | 600 | 0119 |
| ZC | April 27 - May 10 | 900 | 0120 |
| ZC | May 11-31 | 900 | 0121 |
| ZD | April 20-26 and June 1-7 | 10 | 0123 |
| ZD | April 27 - May 10 | 15 | 0124 |
| ZD | May 11-31 | 15 | 0125 |
| ZE | April 20-26 and June 1-7 | 500 | 0127 |
| ZE | April 27 - May 10 | 750 | 0128 |
| ZE | May 11-31 | 750 | 0129 |
| ZF | April 20-26 and June 1-7 | 1,300 | 0131 |
| ZF | April 27 - May 11 | 1,300 | 0132 |
| ZF | May 11-31 | 3,000 | 0133 |
| ZF | May 11–31 | 3000 | 0133 |
| ZZ | April 20 – May 31 | 50,000 | 0301 (Private land only) |
Step 2: Take note of the Unit Hunt Number. You will need it when purchasing your hunt application.
Step 3: Go to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and then click on Drawings. Follow the steps to enter your information, select the Turkey Spring, and choose the available Hunt Number you want in your county.
💡: It costs $5.00 for a general application. After checkout, you will successfully purchase an application to hunt turkeys in Michigan. Besides the official website, you can also purchase an application at any license agent or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
Michigan Turkey Season Regulations
To ensure a legal hunt in the Michigan turkey season, you will need to learn about some regulations and abide by the following rules.
- Releasing Turkeys: You can't let wild turkeys escape. Violation could mean up to 90 days in jail, a fine ($50-$500), and losing your hunting license.
- Unlawful Hunting Methods: Don't use any fancy electronic devices, decoys, dogs, or bait to catch those turkeys. That's just not cool. You could get up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $50 to $500, and lose your hunting license too.
- Illegal Taking or Possession: If you take more turkeys than you're allowed to, there could be some serious consequences. You could get up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $200 to $1,000, and even have to pay restitution of $1,000 per turkey.
- Tagging Violations: Make sure you tag and validate your turkey properly too. If you don't, you could get up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $50 to $500, and lose your hunting license.
- Violating Application Regulations: Make sure you submit your turkey hunting applications on time. If you don't, you could get up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $50 to $500, and lose your hunting license.
- Using Illegal Firearms: You gotta use the right firearm. You can't use any firearm that doesn't fire a fixed shotgun shell or a muzzleloading shotgun. And the shotgun shells can only have no. 4 or smaller shot or no. 4 or smaller loose shot. Or you will face up to 90 days in jail, a fine ($50-$500), and license loss.
Michigan Hunting FAQs
How many licenses can I apply for?
You can apply for one spring turkey hunting license from January 1 to February 1 for a specific management unit during specific season dates.
How much is an application drawing?
An application is $5.
How do I know if I was successful in the drawing?
You can check if you were successful in the drawing on March 11 by visiting Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, or by calling 517-284-9453. If you're selected in the drawing, you can purchase the license. If you're not selected, you can buy a leftover license starting March 18.
What happens if I didn’t apply for the drawing?
If you didn't apply for the drawing, you can buy a leftover license or a special Hunt 0234 license starting March 25.
Where can I buy a license?
You can buy licenses from license agents, online, or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. You can purchase one spring turkey license.
How many turkeys can I harvest with a license?
You can harvest only one turkey in the Spring and Fall turkey season.
What is Hunt 0234 license?
Hunt 0234 is a special turkey license that doesn't require a drawing. You can buy it on March 25 at 10 am EST, and you can hunt turkeys throughout the whole season.
What is a kill tag?
A kill tag is a license that must be attached to a harvested wild turkey. You cannot harvest a wild turkey without the physical kill tag in your possession. Also, you can't just use your friend's kill tag or let them use yours.
What equipment can I use to hunt a spring turkey?
You can use specific types of firearms like bows and arrows, crossbows, or shotguns that fire fixed shells. However, it's illegal to use or carry any other type of firearm while hunting.
Do I need to wear orange while spring turkey hunting?
No. For Spring turkey hunting, you don’t need to wear orange clothing and gear.
Can I use my hunting dogs to hunt a turkey during the spring season?
No. You cannot hunt turkey with dogs during the spring season.
Can I bait turkeys during the spring turkey hunting season?
No. You cannot use bait during the spring turkey hunting season.
Can I use mechanical, electronic or live decoys to hunt a spring turkey?
No. You cannot use mechanical, electronic or live decoys to hunt a spring turkey.
Where can I find public hunting lands near me?
You can find places to hunt by visiting Michigan.gov official website. It has an interactive map application called Mi-HUNT to help you find any private or public lands for turkey hunting.
Can I hunt from a vehicle?
No, you may not hunt or pursue wild animals from a car, snowmobile, aircraft, drone, motorboat, personal watercraft, ORV or other motorized vehicle, or by a sailboat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the turkey season dates and regulations in Michigan is crucial for a successful and enjoyable hunting experience.
If you want to have a great time turkey hunting in Michigan, you need to know the important dates and rules. Make sure you understand the different types of licenses and age groups, so you can hunt legally and have fun.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced hunter, it's important to follow the rules to avoid any problems. So, grab your gear and check out the regulations before you head out on your hunting trip. Happy hunting!
Not sure what ma agement unit to apply for without a guide
Hi, thanks for the comment. There are 14 management units you can apply to hunt turkey in Michigan. You can choose the one that nears your location. We have updated the post to add more infomation on how to apply to hunt in specific management unit. Please check it out again!