Michigan

Photo by Paul Winterman

Getting legal to hunt Michigan turkeys isn't as challenging as it first appears. You can apply for one limited-quota license for a specific spring turkey hunt unit during specific season dates. Applicants selected in the drawing can then purchase a limited-quota license online or at a license agent. No worries if you missed the original lottery deadline (Jan. 1 through Feb. 1) or aren't selected. If you applied but were unsuccessful, you can purchase a leftover license for another hunt period with a quota beginning March 18 at 10 a.m. If you didn't apply, you can purchase a leftover license or a Hunt 0234 license (a guaranteed statewide spring turkey license), both of which go on sale at 10 a.m. March 25.

Michigan has 7.4 million acres of forest land open to public hunting in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula. The northern Lower was once Michigan's turkey go-to area, but southern Michigan has taken over that title. The Upper Peninsula has a growing population of turkeys and low hunting pressure. As with most turkey country, good scouting to find huntable numbers of birds is critical. The middle part of the Lower Peninsula has the best turkey numbers. Allegan, Jackson, Kent, Lapeer, Montcalm, Newaygo, Saginaw, St. Clair and Tuscola counties typically lead the turkey tally.