Blue skies, budding greens, and early morning mist can only mean one thing in Michigan: Spring has arrived.
For hunters, the shift in temperature, the vibrant plantlife, and the chorus of birdsong herald a different kind of season, the start of the Michigan turkey season.
That first electrifying gobble of the season is a moment of pure anticipation. With a vast 7.4 million acres of forest open on public hunting land in the Lower and Upper Peninsula, the 2024 season promises unforgettable hunting experiences for Michigan hunters.
Heres everything you need to know about the Michigan turkey season, plus some expert strategies to bag your bird.
Turkey season is an exciting time for hunters in Michigan. The state offers abundant opportunities to pursue wild turkeys during both a spring and fall season. If you’re new to turkey hunting or just need a refresher this article provides everything you need to know about when turkey seasons start in Michigan.
Overview of Turkey Season Dates
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates turkey hunting seasons and rules. Here are the key dates for spring and fall turkey seasons in Michigan:
-
Spring Turkey Season: Runs annually from mid-April through early June. The 2025 season opens on April 19 and closes on June 7.
-
Fall Turkey Season Runs annually from mid-September through November, The 2024 fall season opens on September 15 and closes on November 14
Specific season dates vary each year, so be sure to check the DNR’s turkey hunting digests for exact open and close dates annually.
When to Apply for a Spring Turkey License
To hunt wild turkeys in the spring season in Michigan, you’ll need to apply for a license through the DNR’s lottery system. Applications open annually on January 1 and the deadline to apply is February 1.
For the 2025 spring turkey season, applications opened on January 1, 2025 and must be submitted by February 1, 2025. You can apply online, by phone, or at license retailers.
Applicants who are selected through the lottery will be notified by email or postal mail by March 17. You’ll then need to purchase your license by March 31. Leftover licenses may go on sale around April 9.
Fall Turkey Licenses
For the fall turkey season, you do not need to apply through the lottery system. Fall turkey licenses go on sale around August 15 each year over the counter on a first-come, first-served basis.
So for the 2024 fall turkey season, licenses will likely go on sale starting August 15, 2024. You can purchase your license online, by phone, or at license retailers.
Turkey Hunting Rules and Regulations
When turkey hunting in Michigan, be sure to follow all rules and regulations established by the DNR:
-
Hunter Orange: Turkey hunters are required to wear hunter orange clothing when moving between hunting sites. Camouflage orange meets this requirement.
-
Tagging: Immediately after harvesting a turkey, you must attach your paper harvest tag or validate your e-tag.
-
Reporting: All turkey hunters must report their harvest, either online or by phone, by 10pm on the day of harvest.
-
Bag Limits: The spring season has a bag limit of one bearded turkey per license. The fall season limit varies by management unit.
-
Legal Hunting Hours: Legal shooting hours are half an hour before sunrise until sunset.
-
Baiting: Hunting turkeys over bait is prohibited.
-
Other Regulations: Be sure to review the full turkey hunting digest each year for complete rules.
Turkey Management Units and Quotas
When applying for a spring turkey license, you’ll need to select a hunt unit. Michigan has nearly 200 turkey management units that each have a limited number of licenses available.
Some units have higher demand than others. Units with historically higher hunter success rates also tend to have more applicants. Consider less popular units to increase your odds.
Fall turkey licenses are valid for the entire Upper or Lower Peninsula. The DNR sets quotas for each peninsula. Once the quota is met, the fall season closes early.
Tips for Securing a Spring Turkey License
As spring turkey licenses are limited, here are some tips to improve your odds of being selected:
-
Apply as soon as possible – Don’t wait until the last minute to apply. Submitting your application early shows you are serious about hunting if drawn.
-
Have a backup unit – Select a 2nd choice unit in case your 1st choice is filled.
-
Avoid popular units – Consider less in-demand units, especially if you’re new to turkey hunting.
-
Apply with a group – Applying with others improves the chances someone in your group will draw.
-
Build preference points – Accumulate a point each year you apply but aren’t selected to improve future odds.
Youth Turkey Hunting Opportunities
The DNR offers special turkey hunting opportunities for youth hunters:
-
Mentored Hunt: Allows youth 9 and younger to hunt with a mentor on a mentored license.
-
Independent Hunt: Lets youth 10-16 hunt during the youth season (April 20-21, 2025) on a general license outside the lottery.
The spring turkey season in Michigan runs annually from mid-April through early June. Hunters must apply in January-February for a limited license. The fall turkey season is open to all with a general license purchased in August-September. Be sure to review turkey hunting rules and tips to make the most of your hunt. With smart preparation, you can have an excellent turkey hunting experience in Michigan.
Use HuntWise for Location Scouting
Experienced hunters have their locations marked and blinds set up well before the season opens. This pre-season e-scouting is invaluable to gaining insights into where the birds are roosting, feeding, congregating, and tracking to water sources or socializing.
With HuntWise, you can find turkey-dense areas in public and private land classifications. You can also access private landowner information to get permission to hunt private land.
The Licensing, Compliance, and Drawing System
The Michigan turkey season is open to residents and non-residents who receive a license through a draw system or general permit. Heres what you need to know.
In many turkey management units (TMUs), licensing is administered through a random drawing system.
Hunters can only apply for one spring turkey license. Licensing opens from January 1 to February 1 and is only valid for your selected TMU. You must be at least ten years old to apply.
If selected, you can purchase the license, and as an applicant, the onus is on you to search the registry to confirm if you have been selected for a ticket.
Hunt 0234 is another licensed option, which is a purchased option that allows greater flexibility as a statewide guaranteed license. This license offers the flexibility to hunt in more than one location. It also allows for more than seven days to find and bring home a tom.
Some leftover licenses are available on March 18 at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to fill the quotas. If you missed out on drawing a tag, this is your chance to purchase a license before the spring season ends.
The bag limit is one bearded turkey for the season. You must have a license to grab your turkey.
When Is Michigan Turkey Season? – The Midwest Guru
FAQ
What are the dates for turkey hunting in Michigan?
Michigan Offers both a Spring and Fall season to ticketed hunters. The Spring turkey season runs from April 20 – June 7. The Fall season runs from September 15 – November 14.
How many turkeys can you shoot a year in Michigan?
Important: A fall turkey license is valid for one turkey (any sex). If licenses remain by Aug. 26, hunters can purchase one license per day until quotas are met.
Can you hunt turkey from a tree stand in Michigan?
Turkeys can be hunted from a raised platform during the spring and fall seasons on private lands. However, due to separate public land regulations, treestands may only be set up and used on public lands in Michigan from Sept. 1 to March 1.
What date is hunting season in Michigan?
- Liberty Hunt: September 14 – 15.
- Early Antlerless (Firearm): September 21 – 22.
- Independence Hunt: October 17 – 20.
- Archery: October 1 – November 14 and December 1 – January 1.
- Regular Firearm: November 15 – 30.
- Michigan Muzzleloader Season (Zones 1, 2, 3): December 6 – 15.
How is spring turkey season determined?
Spring turkey season dates are determined by a formula defined in the Wildlife Conservation Order. Each year, the spring turkey season is: The second to last Saturday in April through a defined number of days thereafter. Return to top How many turkeys can I harvest with a spring turkey license?
When can I get a turkey hunt license in Michigan?
In Michigan, the spring schedule shall last from April 20 to June 7. When can I apply for a limited-quota license for a specific spring turkey hunt unit? A single limited-quota license may be requested between January 1 and February 1 for a particular spring turkey game area. To register, you must be at least ten years old.
How do you manage turkeys in Michigan?
Managing turkeys in Michigan involves the complex interactions of turkey populations, their habitat and their relationship to people. Hunting plays an important role in managing turkeys by regulating their numbers. The goal of the spring turkey hunting season is to maximize hunter opportunity while maintaining a satisfactory hunting experience.
Is turkey hunting legal in Michigan?
In addition to the season dates, bag limits, and licensing procedures, there are several important regulations pertaining to turkey hunting in Michigan. Baiting: It is illegal to use bait to aid in the taking of a wild turkey. Baiting includes placing, depositing, tending, or scattering of bait to lure or attract wild turkeys.
When do turkeys mate in Michigan?
Mating: As a northern state, turkey breeding in Michigan begins in late March and runs until early April to match the increasing daylight hours. Male turkeys (what we know as toms) will attract females by fanning their tails and puffing feathers.
Where can you hunt turkeys in Michigan?
Mid-central Michigan has proven to be a haven for patient hunters, consistently providing successful turkey hunting experiences. Regarding zoning, public hunting can take place on the forest land of both the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula, as well as private land opportunities.