Details

Published: 16 April 2026

MDNR Report

Michigan’s woods are beginning to stir this spring — and so is the science behind wild turkey management. This year, wildlife science in the state is getting a major boost. For the first time in Michigan history, researchers are launching a long-term, large-scale study of wild turkey populations.
 
The project, backed by $150,000 from the Michigan State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, represents a historic investment in understanding and conserving one of the state’s most iconic game species. Hunters, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts alike are excited for the conservation implications.
 
“This is the first study of its kind here in Michigan and is critical in order to better understand factors that are impacting the population,” said Ryan Boyer, NWTF Midwest director of conservation operations.

From Surveys to Science

Until now, Michigan’s DNR has relied on data from harvest surveys, annual brood surveys and public observations to monitor wild turkey populations. The hunter harvest data has largely been used as an index of abundance, and was the only data available until 2023, when the brood survey was implemented. Each summer, residents are invited to report sightings of turkeys and their broods as part of the statewide wild turkey brood survey. These surveys provide a broad snapshot of turkey reproductive success and population trends across Michigan.

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Details

Published: 12 April 2026

MDNR Report

With spring turkey season opening soon across Michigan, hunters should review several important updates, including a new mandatory turkey harvest reporting requirement.

The 2026 spring turkey hunt periods begin as early as April 18. Starting this year, all successful turkey hunters must report their harvest within 72 hours of harvest or before transferring possession of the bird, whichever comes first. Harvests can be reported online or through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Hunt Fish mobile app.

“Mandatory harvest reporting gives us a clearer picture of turkey harvest across the state and helps ensure sustainable turkey populations for the future,” said Adam Bump, the DNR's upland game bird specialist. “It also allows hunters to see near real-time harvest information as the season progresses.”

How to report a turkey harvest

Hunters must use the unique license number printed on their paper kill tag or listed with their electronic kill tag (eHarvest tag) to report a harvest.

Harvests can be reported in two ways:

• Online: Visit Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport and enter your kill tag or eHarvest tag number and date of birth.
• Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app: Open the app, sign in, select the tag used and complete the harvest report.

Once the report is submitted, hunters will receive a confirmation number. Hunters using an electronic tag must also validate the harvest in the app immediately after harvest.

Rules for transporting game animals

You can transport your own and another person’s lawfully taken game. You cannot transport or possess a turkey unless a validated kill tag is attached to the leg of the turkey or you have validated your eHarvest tag. You cannot destroy the identity or evidence of the sex of a turkey while in the field or when transported in a motor vehicle.

New turkey management units

Another major change this year involves the number of turkey management units. The DNR has reduced the number of spring TMUs from 14 to three. Here is a list of the new TMUs with available turkey hunts in the spring:

Unit M – Upper Peninsula

• Hunt 0110 in Unit M, April 18-May 31 (6,000 license quota), valid on public and private lands.

Unit NN – Northern Lower Peninsula

• Hunt 0134 in Unit NN, April 18-May 1 (18,000 license quota), valid on public and private lands.

Unit ZZ – Southern Lower Peninsula

• Hunt 0302 in Unit ZZ, April 18-May 1 (8,000 license quota), valid on public and private lands.
• Hunt 0303 in Unit ZZ,: May 2-31 (8,000 license quota), valid on public and private lands.
• Hunt 0301 in Unit ZZ, April 18-May 31 (unlimited licenses), valid on private lands only.

There is also a statewide spring turkey hunt (Hunt 0234), May 2-31 (unlimited licenses). This license allows hunters to pursue spring turkey on:

• Public and private lands in the Upper Peninsula (Unit M).
• Public and private lands in the northern Lower Peninsula (Unit NN).
• Private lands only in the southern Lower Peninsula (Unit ZZ).
• Fort Custer military lands, with permission.

Buy leftover turkey licenses

Leftover licenses are available for each spring turkey hunt period until the end of the respective period or until quotas are reached. Unlimited licenses are available for Hunt 0234 and Hunt 0301 through May 31. Check available licenses on the DNR’s Licenses & Permits webpage.

Mentored youth hunt

The mentored youth license is a license package that allows youth hunters 9 years old and younger to hunt turkey with a qualified mentor. The spring turkey license issued with the mentored youth license is valid for one bearded turkey in any open spring turkey management unit on public or private land.

New youth hunting opportunity

In another change for the spring turkey season, hunters ages 10 to 16 may now purchase a spring turkey youth license until the end of the season on May 31. This license allows the harvest of one bearded turkey on public or private land within any open spring TMU and season dates. You must have permission from the landowner to hunt on private property. Youth licenses do not require application.

Season dates, license quotas, harvest reporting requirements and additional details are available in the 2026 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations Summary.

Details

Published: 18 March 2026

MDNR Report

Licenses are on sale now for two spring turkey hunting seasons that do not require hunters to apply in Michigan’s turkey hunt drawing.

Hunt 0234 and Hunt 0301 offer flexible options for hunters looking for more opportunities this spring. Both seasons have unlimited quotas, and licenses can be purchased throughout the entire spring turkey hunting season.

Hunt 0234: Statewide license

Hunt 0234 runs May 2-31. (Note that the print version of the DNR’s 2026 Spring Turkey Regulations Summary incorrectly listed the 0234 season dates as April 25-May 31, but the correct dates are May 2-31.) 

A Hunt 0234 license allows hunters to pursue spring turkey on: 

• Public and private lands in the Upper Peninsula (TMU M).
• Public and private lands in the northern Lower Peninsula (TMU NN).
• Private lands only in the southern Lower Peninsula (TMU ZZ).
• Fort Custer military lands, with permission. 

If you have a Hunt 0234 license, you must have landowner permission to hunt on private lands. 

Hunt 0301: Private-land option for southern Michigan

Hunt 0301 offers a long season for private-land hunters in southern Michigan, running April 18–May 31. With this license, you may hunt on:

• Private lands only in the southern Lower Peninsula (TMU ZZ).
• Fort Custer military lands, with permission.

If you have a Hunt 0301 license, you must have landowner permission to hunt on private lands. This license is not valid on county, state or federal lands.

If you purchase a Hunt 0234 license or a Hunt 0301 license, you cannot purchase a general spring turkey license. Hunters can only buy one spring turkey hunting license per year.

General license: Leftover licenses for Units M, NN and ZZ

If you did not apply for the drawing, you may purchase leftover general licenses for units with a drawing and quota. These licenses are valid on public and private lands. Leftover licenses may or may not be available, depending on demand.

For season dates, land-use details and additional licensing information, review the 2026 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations Summary.