Turkey season in Michigan runs from mid-April through early June. Spring turkey hunting offers a great chance to not only pursue turkeys, but to see Michigan green-up and enjoy the warming weather.
For hunters in Michigan looking forward to turkey season it’s important to know the exact dates for the spring and fall hunting seasons. The seasons open and close on specific dates so being aware of when turkey season ends is key to maximizing your opportunities. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the end dates for spring and fall turkey hunting in Michigan.
Overview of Turkey Season Dates in Michigan
Michigan provides turkey hunters two separate seasons to pursue wild turkeys:
- Spring Turkey Season – Spans from late April to early June
- Fall Turkey Season – Runs from mid-September to mid-November
So there is ample time throughout the year to hunt turkeys across various regions of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources establishes the season dates annually
When Does Spring Turkey Season End in Michigan?
For 2023, here are the key dates for the spring turkey hunting season in Michigan:
- Opening Day – April 20
- Youth Hunt Weekend – April 21-22 (for youth under 17)
- Closing Day – June 7
So the last day hunters can head out to bag a spring gobbler is June 7th, 2023. The season stretches nearly 7 weeks long.
Hunters are allowed to harvest up to two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one per day. Special regulations apply for certain public lands.
When Does Fall Turkey Season End in Michigan?
The fall turkey season is much shorter than spring. Here are the fall season dates and deadlines for 2023:
- Opening Day – September 15
- Closing Day – November 14
The fall turkey season in Michigan runs for just two months, closing on November 14th
Only one turkey of either sex can be harvested during the fall season. Again, specific regulations may be in place for certain public areas.
Why Turkey Season End Dates Vary
There are several reasons why Michigan’s spring and fall turkey seasons begin and end on different dates:
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Spring coincides with breeding season – Only bearded males can be taken in spring.
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Fall allows hunting hens or young birds – Either sex is allowed in fall since poults are matured.
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Spring season is longer to accommodate demand – More permits are available in spring.
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Fall season avoids deer hunting seasons – Deer take priority in November.
So the purposes and challenges of spring versus fall turkey hunting necessitate different season end dates in Michigan.
Checking Turkey Season Dates Annually
As you plan your turkey hunting over future seasons, be sure to check the Michigan DNR website each year for updated opening day and season end dates. These dates can shift annually:
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Spring turkey season may open slightly earlier or later depending on calendar dates for Easter.
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Fall turkey season dates fluctuate based on scheduling with firearms deer season.
Don’t rely on season dates from previous years – always confirm the current year’s spring and fall turkey season end dates before heading to the fields.
What to Do After Turkey Season Ends
Once the spring and fall turkey seasons draw to a close in Michigan, there are a few things hunters can do:
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Apply for leftover permits for unfilled quota areas. Deadlines apply.
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Start scouting new potential hunting spots for next spring.
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Pattern flock behaviors and movements for next fall.
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Consider upland bird or waterfowl hunting seasons instead.
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Share turkey recipes and stores from your successful hunts!
Though you’ll need to wait patiently until next year, planning ahead now will pay off when turkey seasons return to Michigan forests and fields.
Be Patient and Have Fun!
If youve ever thought about giving turkey hunting a try, this is your year! Turkey hunting provides good healthy local protein that you can harvest yourself in a very interactive hunt. You can use a call to sound like a turkey and get one to answer you back! So when you are crawling on your belly, trying to sneak up on some gobbling toms remember: Only a few decades ago, turkeys were hard to find and only a few people were able to hunt them. Today, everyone has a chance.
Apply for a Spring Turkey License
Turkeys can be found in every county in Michigan and anyone who wants to hunt a turkey can get a license. Michigan has several turkey seasons for you to choose from. Some you do have to apply for in advance because there are more hunters than turkey licenses available. Anyone can hunt turkeys for most of the month of May, in what’s called Hunt 234. Hunt 234 is a great, flexible option for hunters who may want to hunt in many different places and who want more than 7 days to find those turkeys. The early seasons, that have a limited number of licenses, are open for a short time, making weather and work schedules a real consideration. Mi-Hunt is a great mapping program that you can use to look for public land in Michigan that is open to hunting. With over 4 million acres of public land available, Mi-Hunt allows you to build your adventure at home from your computer!
The turkey story in Michigan is truly amazing – our state has made huge strides in wildlife management. Like most states, there was a time when today’s common animals were either gone completely or very hard to find. Wild turkeys were once a rarity in Michigan. It’s hard to imagine, but wildlife didn’t have any protections for a long time. In the late 1800’s grocery stores weren’t on the corner, families were clearing land for settlements and hunting regulations were unheard of. Now, everything has changed. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (aka the Pittman-Roberson Act of 1937) was enacted. A national coalition of conservationists, backed by the sporting arms and ammunition industry, persuaded Congress to direct an excise tax on those items to a special fund for wildlife restoration. With a lot of hard work and dedication in the 1950s, the turkey population was reestablished.
How to Hunt Late Season Turkeys
FAQ
How long does turkey season last in Michigan?
What is the current hunting season in Michigan?
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Season
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Location
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Dates
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Archery*
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Statewide
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Oct. 1 – Nov. 14 Dec. 1 – Jan. 1
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Regular Firearm
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Statewide
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Nov. 15 – 30
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Muzzleloading
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Zone 1 and Zone 2 Zone 3
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Dec. 1- 10 Dec. 1 – 10
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Late Antlerless Firearm
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Statewide
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Dec. 11 – Jan. 1
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How many turkeys can you shoot in Michigan?
Where do Michigan turkeys go in the winter?