Spring in Michigan means many things, but two certainties are getting mud on your tires and the faint sound of a turkey gobbling like it just discovered espresso. If you're planning to chase one of these feathered drama queens this season, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says it's time to grab your turkey hunting license now.
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Two spring seasons are available that don't require applying through the drawing, which is great news for hunters who prefer their plans without paperwork-induced headaches.
Michigan Turkey Season Options for 2026
Michigan offers two flexible license options with unlimited quotas, so you can buy them at any time during the season.
Hunt 0234 (Statewide License) May 2 through May 31, 2026
Where you can hunt:
- Upper Peninsula on public or private land
- Northern Lower Peninsula on public or private land
- Southern Lower Peninsula is on private land only
- Fort Custer military lands with permission
Hunters using this license must have permission from the landowner for private property.
Hunt 0301 (Southern Michigan Private-Land License) April 18 through May 31, 2026
Where you can hunt:
- Private land only in southern Lower Michigan
- Fort Custer military lands with permission
This license does NOT allow hunting on state, county, or federal land.
Important note: Hunters can only purchase one spring turkey license per year; choose wisely.
What Michigan Turkey Hunters Need Before Entering the Woods
First, you need your license. Obviously. Turkeys are many things, but they are not fans of paperwork violations. Second, understand your kill tag situation. Buying through a retailer or the DNR website gives you a paper tag. Using the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app provides an electronic eHarvest tag instantly on your phone.
RELATED: DNR Warns Michigan’s Black Bears Emerging from Hibernation
And new this year: All successful turkey hunters must report their harvest within 72 hours through the DNR reporting system or the Hunt Fish app.
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Gallery Credit: Scott Clow
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