MDNR Report
The application period for Michigan’s spring turkey hunting season is open now through Sunday, Feb. 1. Applications cost $5 each and can be purchased at any license agent, online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
Hunters should be aware of several important changes to the spring turkey season this year, including a major update to the number of turkey management units, or TMUs, and the license options available in those units.
“These regulation changes uphold the goals for the spring turkey hunting season: maximizing hunter opportunity while also maintaining satisfactory hunting experiences across the state,” said Adam Bump, the DNR’s upland game bird specialist.
New spring turkey management units
Beginning in 2026, the number of spring turkey management units is reduced from 14 to three:
- Unit M – Upper Peninsula
- Unit NN – Northern Lower Peninsula
- Unit ZZ – Southern Lower Peninsula
Before buying a license, hunters are strongly encouraged to review the official TMU maps in the 2026 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations Summary.
License options available through drawing
These options are valid on public and private land within the three TMUs. When applying, hunters must select a first-choice hunt and may also choose an optional second choice. (Turkey license quotas limit the number of hunting permits available for each TMU and season.)
- Unit M (Hunt 0110): April 18-May 31. License quota: 6,000
- Unit NN (Hunt 0134): April 18-May 1. License quota: 18,000
- Unit ZZ (Hunt 0302): April 18-May 1. License quota: 8,000
- Unit ZZ (Hunt 0303): May 2-May 31. License quota: 8,000
License options available without application
The following licenses are guaranteed and do not require entering the drawing. The licenses can be purchased beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16.
- Statewide (Hunt 0234): April 25-May 31. License quota: Unlimited. Valid on public and private lands statewide except for public lands in Unit ZZ.
- Unit ZZ (Hunt 0301 – Private land only): April 18-May 31. License quota: Unlimited. Valid on private lands in Unit ZZ.
“These changes will give hunters longer seasons and bigger units to hunt in,” said Bump.
Drawing results
Drawing results will be available Monday, March 2. Hunters are responsible for checking their own results online or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
Hunters who are unsuccessful in the drawing may purchase a leftover license for a hunt with a remaining quota beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, March 9. Hunters who did not apply for the drawing may purchase leftover licenses beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16. Depending on demand, leftover licenses may or may not be available in desired TMUs.
New spring turkey youth license
Hunters aged 17 and older during the hunt period who have a hunter education certificate, or those with an apprentice license, are eligible to apply during the application period.
Hunters aged 10 to 16 may purchase a spring turkey youth license and do not need to apply. Hunters aged 9 and younger may participate through the mentored hunting program and receive a spring turkey license.
Both the youth hunter and mentored youth spring turkey licenses are valid for all spring turkey management units and season dates. Details are available in the spring turkey regulations summary.
Mandatory harvest reporting
All successful spring turkey hunters must report harvests within 72 hours or before transferring possession of the birds, whichever comes first. Harvests can be reported online on the DNR's Report a harvest website or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. The reporting system provides near real-time harvest information throughout the season.
Season dates, license quotas, maps and additional seasonal information are available in the 2026 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations Summary.