Pursuing wild turkeys in Michigan’s vibrant fall season can offer a rewarding hunting experience. The foliage is changing, temperatures are cooler, and birds are flocking together, providing unique hunting dynamics compared to the spring season. Here’s a complete overview of everything you need to know about the 2024 Michigan fall turkey hunt.
Overview of Fall Turkey Season Dates
The Michigan DNR regulates annual hunting seasons and rules. Here are the key dates for the 2024 fall turkey season:
- Opening Day: September 15, 2024
- Closing Day: November 14, 2024
The season runs for 9 weeks from mid-September through mid-November. Specific regulations vary by management unit.
Fall Turkey Licenses and Permits
To hunt wild turkeys in Michigan’s fall season, you will need:
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Base Hunting License Required for all hunters in Michigan, available to residents and non-residents. Can purchase online, by phone, or in person
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Fall Turkey Permit: Allows you to harvest 1 fall turkey. You do not need to enter a draw for fall permits – they can be bought over the counter on a first-come, first-served basis starting around August 15 each year.
Review the hunting digests published by the DNR each year for exact license costs, application dates, and requirements.
Fall Turkey Season Bag Limits
Bag limits help manage turkey populations
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Daily Limit: 1 turkey of either sex per license
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Season Limit: Usually 1 turkey total
Limits can vary by management unit, so verify your exact allotment. Harvest of either sex is allowed during the fall season.
Where to Hunt Fall Turkeys in Michigan
Fall turkey hunting opportunities exist across most of Michigan’s public, private, and commercial forest lands with proper licenses:
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Public Lands: State game areas, state parks, state forests, national forests
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Private Lands: With landowner permission
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Commercial Forest: Require a Commercial Forest permit
The DNR offers interactive maps to explore lands open to public hunting. Scouting areas ahead of season is advised.
Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations
When fall turkey hunting, be sure to follow all regulations:
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Hunter Orange: Required when moving between sites
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Tagging: Validate or attach kill tag immediately upon harvest
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Reporting: Must be done by 10 pm the day of harvest, online or by phone
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Shooting Hours: Half hour before sunrise until sunset
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Baiting: Illegal to hunt over bait
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Licenses: Must carry your license and turkey permit
Review rules in the DNR’s hunting digests. Know the specific regulations for your hunt unit.
Tips for Hunting Fall Turkeys
Use these strategies to boost your fall turkey hunting success:
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Hunt early morning and late afternoon when birds are most active.
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Spend time scouting pre-season to locate flocks.
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Set up ground blinds near food sources turkeys frequent.
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Use turkey calls and decoys to draw birds within range.
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Ambush flocks from brush and other concealed spots.
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Be prepared for shots under 40 yards with patterns suited for turkeys.
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Field dress, cool, and cook your harvested turkey promptly.
With persistence and smart tactics, you can enjoy a satisfying fall turkey hunt in Michigan’s varied landscapes.
From mid-September through November, Michigan provides exciting fall turkey hunting opportunities. Acquire the proper licenses and permits, know the regulations, and use savvy hunting strategies to make the most of your season. With preparation and persistence, you can outwit those wily birds and enjoy Michigan’s spectacular fall backdrops. Respect regulations, hunt ethically, relish time afield, and fill your tag this autumn.
Fall turkey hunting season dates and license quotas
Fall turkey licenses are valid for specific areas and hunting dates. In many fall turkey management units (TMUs), license availability is subject to a license quota.
What type of lands can I hunt with a general license? The fall turkey general licenses are valid on all public and private lands within the TMU.
| TMU | Season dates | License quota | Hunt number |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 200 | 0401 |
| GB | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 250 | 0402 |
| GC | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 200 | 0403 |
| J | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 1,500 | 0404 |
| L | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 500 | 0405 |
| M | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 1,500 | 0406 |
| T | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 200 | 0407 |
| W | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 200 | 0408 |
| WA | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 100 | 0409 |
If I get a private-land-only license, are there any exceptions that allow hunting on public land?
Private-land-only licenses can only be used on private land within the TMU. You must have permission from the landowner. Private-land-only licenses are not valid on county, state or federal lands. Exception: Licenses valid for Unit YY can be used to hunt Fort Custer military lands with permission.
| TMU | Season dates | License quota | Hunt number |
|---|---|---|---|
| HA | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 1,700 | 0410 |
| YY | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 45,000 | 0501 |
What area does management unit YY cover?
Unit YY for fall turkey encompasses Beaver Island and private lands in southern Michigan, excluding Wayne and Monroe counties.
When Is Michigan Turkey Season? – The Midwest Guru
FAQ
What are the dates for fall turkey hunting in Michigan?
When Does The Turkey Season Start in Michigan? Michigan Offers both a Spring and Fall season to ticketed hunters. The Spring turkey season runs from April 19 – June 7, 2025. The Fall season typically runs from mid-September 15 to mid-November.
How much is a fall turkey license in Michigan?
Applications can be purchased for $5 online at eLicense or anywhere DNR licenses are sold. Review the season regulations and hunting details at Michigan.gov/Turkey or download an electronic copy of the Fall Turkey Digest to your phone and carry it with you wherever you go.
Where do Michigan turkeys go in the winter?
As year-round residents of Michigan, wild turkeys move from grasslands and forest clearings that have lots of high protein insects for their young in the summer to more covered areas such as stands of mast (acorns, berries, apples, etc.) producing trees in the winter.
How many fall turkeys can you shoot in Michigan?
How many turkeys can I harvest with a fall turkey license? You can harvest one turkey (any sex) per fall turkey license.
When is fall turkey season in Michigan?
Short answer fall turkey season michigan: Fall turkey hunting season in Michigan typically runs from September to November, allowing licensed hunters the opportunity to bag wild turkeys during this designated time. Fall Turkey Season in Michigan: A Comprehensive Guide
What does fall turkey hunting mean in Michigan?
As the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold, and the crisp autumn breeze whispers through the trees, it can only mean one thing – fall turkey hunting season in Michigan is just around the corner. The anticipation builds as hunters gear up to embark on an adventure filled with excitement, challenge, and potential glory.
When is fall turkey season?
The exact dates for fall turkey season vary from year to year, as they are determined by the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Typically falling between September and November, this window offers ample opportunities for passionate hunters to pursue their prized game.
Where can I find the Michigan fall turkey hunting regulations?
Learn how to apply and find season regulations in the Michigan Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations Summary at Michigan.gov/Turkey or view the summary in the DNR Hunt Fish app to carry it with you wherever you go. If there are questions, call 517-284-9453 or email [email protected].
Why should you visit Michigan during fall turkey season?
Michigan’s fall turkey season perfectly aligns with this captivating ambiance, providing avid hunters with an exciting challenge and a chance to witness the spectacle up close. Venturing into the woods during this time offers an enthralling experience that combines elements of strategy, skill, and appreciation for nature.
Should you Scout turkeys during fall in Michigan?
1. Scout Early, Scout Smart: When it comes to hunting turkeys during fall in Michigan, scouting early becomes imperative. Unlike spring hunts where turkeys are more predictable due to mating behaviors, fall turkeys can be scattered across various terrains.