Fall Turkey Applications on Sale Noday Through August 1

July 3, 2013
By: MyBayCity Staff

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that applications for fall turkey hunting licenses are on sale starting today through Aug. 1. A total of 51,850 licenses are available; 5,150 general licenses that may be used on public or private land and 46,700 licenses for private land only. Eleven wild turkey management units, totaling 44,943 square miles, are open to fall turkey hunting during the Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 season, including most of the southern Lower Peninsula, Beaver Island, five counties in the northern Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula.

"We are in the first year of a three-year period of stabilized regulations that were developed by working with turkey hunting groups," explained Al Stewart, the DNR's upland game bird specialist. "Regulations are generally similar to last year with the only change being the re-opening of turkey management units J, T and WA."

Hunters may apply for a turkey hunting license at any authorized license agent, at DNR Operations Service Centers or online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings. The application fee is $4. Drawing results will be posted online beginning Aug. 15.

If any licenses remain after the drawing, unsuccessful applicants may purchase one leftover license at any license agent or online for a one-week period beginning Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. (EDT). Any licenses that remain as of Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. (EDT) will be available for purchase over the counter by any hunter. The licenses will be sold until the quotas are met.

Hunters have an additional opportunity to get a turkey license by applying for the 2014 Pure Michigan Hunt drawing. Each application is $4, and hunters may apply as many times as they like. Three lucky winners will receive a hunt package that includes an elk, bear turkey, and antlerless deer license. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt. Season dates and regulations have not yet been established for the 2014 hunting seasons.