Fall turkey season in Michigan is an exciting time for hunters across the state. Michigan has abundant wild turkey populations, providing excellent opportunities for hunters. Understanding the fall turkey seasons, regulations, and tips can help hunters have a safe and successful hunt.
Overview of Fall Turkey Season Dates
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages fall turkey season dates and details Here are some key dates for the 2022 fall turkey hunting season in Michigan
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September 15 – October 31 Fall turkey season for the Upper Peninsula and Drummond Island
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October 8 – November 14: Fall turkey season for the Lower Peninsula.
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October 8 – January 1: Fall turkey season for Liberty and Independence Hunt Units.
Fall turkey seasons can vary in different regions of Michigan. Be sure to check the DNR’s annual Fall Turkey Digest for exact season dates in your desired hunt unit or area.
Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations
Michigan has specific rules and regulations for fall turkey hunting. Here are some of the key regulations:
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Must have a valid, unused fall turkey hunting license and unused fall turkey harvest tag.
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Shotguns, muzzleloading shotguns, and archery equipment are legal methods for fall turkey hunting.
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Legal shooting hours are from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
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Turkeys must have a beard longer than 3 inches to be legally harvested in fall. Hens are illegal to harvest.
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Fall turkey bag limit is one bird per license. Hunters can buy a second license after harvesting the first turkey.
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Turkeys must be tagged immediately after harvest and registered within 72 hours.
Review the DNR’s annual turkey hunting digest for full details on legal methods, shooting hours, tag quotas, and other important rules. Regulations can vary for different public lands, hunt units, etc.
Tips for a Successful Fall Turkey Hunt
With the right strategies and skills, you can increase your chances of bagging a fall turkey in Michigan:
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Scout ahead of season – Locate flocks, identify roosting areas, find strut zones and patterns.
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Focus on food sources – Find mast-producing trees and agricultural fields turkeys frequent.
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Use turkey calls sparingly – Occasional clucks, purrs, and yelps can work well. Avoid overcalling.
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Be mobile and patient – Move slowly and sit for 30+ minutes in quality spots near roosts and feedings areas.
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Use decoys carefully – Set up one or two hen decoys and don’t overuse or move them.
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Stay concealed and play the wind – Use blinds, camo, facemasks and minimize movements.
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Be safe – Follow safe firearm handling procedures and wear hunter orange when required.
Following the rules, scouting thoroughly, and hunting safely and ethically will lead to an enjoyable fall turkey hunt in Michigan.
Fall Turkey Hunting Opportunities on Public Lands
Michigan offers excellent public land opportunities for fall turkey hunting:
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State Forest Lands – Over 3 million acres of state forests managed by the DNR provide habitat for turkeys.
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State Parks and Recreation Areas – Some parks allow hunting in specific zones or seasons. Check individual park rules.
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State Game Areas – These wildlife management areas often provide quality turkey habitat.
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National Forest Lands – The expansive Huron-Manistee National Forests hold many wild turkeys.
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Private Lands – Ask landowners for permission to access their property for fall turkey hunting.
Public lands offer affordable fall turkey hunting for Michigan residents and nonresidents. Research public hunting land rules, scout thoroughly and be respectful of all hunters.
Fall Turkey Hunting Outlook for 2022
The fall 2022 wild turkey forecast in Michigan looks promising, supported by excellent reproduction and turkey numbers across much of the state.
The DNR reported strong poult production in 2021, meaning lots of juvenile turkeys will be entering the fall hunting population this year. Mild winters have also boosted adult hen survival.
Fall 2022 harvest rates could increase compared to the approx. 11,000 turkeys taken during the 2021 fall turkey season. Hunters should find plentiful opportunities by scouting public lands and knocking on doors to gain access to private lands holding turkeys.
Turkey Hunting Provides Benefits Beyond Harvest
Fall turkey hunting offers many rewards beyond harvesting birds. Here are some of the benefits Michigan turkey hunters enjoy:
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Experiencing the sights and sounds of autumn forests.
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Developing skills for hunting, scouting, and understanding wildlife.
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Getting exercise while covering ground in the woods.
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Making memories and bonding with other hunters.
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Gaining useful wild turkey meat and feathers.
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Helping control wild turkey populations at sustainable levels.
Whether you harvest or not, time spent fall turkey hunting in Michigan is time enjoying the outdoors and continuing traditions. Follow regulations, hunt ethically, use proper firearms safety, and the hunt itself is a priceless opportunity.
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The Eastern Turkey In Michigan
The primary species in Michigan is the Eastern turkey, which is known for its cautious nature. It is the most widely distributed turkey subspecies in the US.
Here are some additional facts about the Eastern turkey in Michigan to help you prepare for your hunt as the season arrives:
- 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.
- Diet: While the Michigan Eastern turkeys eat a relatively standard diet of nuts, berries, grasses, and insects, ongoing efforts from the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to work with private landowners saw them introduce winter-resistant turkey food plots of corn and grain mixes to provide readily available human cultivated foods to their diet.
- Habitat: Eastern turkeys range from one to four square miles in a mix of fields, woods, and agricultural areas. They roost in trees and move from grasslands to forest clearings in search of mates, food, and water.
- Social and Behavior: Michigan turkey flocks range from 5 to 50 birds, usually consisting of only males or females.
Understanding the wild turkeys of Michigan can help you bring home a bird! Just make sure you hunt during the legal open seasons.
FALL TURKEY HUNTING/ How to Find Fall Gobblers
When does spring turkey season start?
Spring turkey season dates are determined by a formula. Each year, the spring turkey season starts on the second to last Saturday in April and continues for a specific number of days thereafter, as defined in the Wildlife Conservation Order. General licenses What type of land can I hunt with a general license?
When can I get a turkey hunting license?
Sept. 15 through Nov. 14, 2024 (see regulations summary for full unit and date details) Fall turkey hunting licenses From Jul. 1 – Aug. 1, you can apply for one limited-quota license valid for a specific fall turkey hunt unit during specific season dates. You must be at least 10 years old or have a mentored youth hunting license to apply.
What is fall turkey hunting?
Fall turkey hunting allows the DNR to stabilize or reduce turkey numbers in certain areas of the state to meet local goals based on habitat conditions and public attitudes. To help reach these goals, hunters are encouraged to harvest female turkeys during the fall season and are able harvest more than one bird.
What is the goal of the spring turkey hunting season?
The goal of the spring turkey hunting season is to maximize hunter opportunity while maintaining a satisfactory hunting experience. Spring turkey drawing…