Michigan

Sub-species: Eastern

Tags: Limited Quota with a chance to purchase left over tags, plus guaranteed licenses that are only good for certain areas.

Application Period: Jan 1 – Feb 1

Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment: YES

Hunter Education Required: Yes if born on or after Jan 1, 1960

Bag Limit: One bearded bird

2026 Season Dates:

TMU M – April 18- May 31

TMU NN – April 18 – May 1

Statewide – May 2 – May 31

TMU ZZ Private Land – April 18 – May 31

TMU ZZ – April 18 – May 1

TMU ZZ – May 2 – 31

Special Youth Hunt: Yes, but certain areas only

Special Disabled Hunt: Yes, but certain areas only

Decoys Allowed: YES

Tagging Instructions: Immediately after killing and before field-dressing or moving a turkey, you must validate your kill tag and fasten it to the animal. Make sure the kill tag is completely legible and visible for inspection. The kill tag must remain attached until you process or butcher the animal or until the animal is accepted for processing and recorded by a commercial processor or taxidermist. 

Noteworthy Restrictions: Shotguns using #4 shot and smaller.  Stalking turkeys with handheld decoys is illegal.  Turkeys may not be taken while they are in a tree. Hunting hours end 30 minutes BEFORE sunset.  At all times when carried in or on a motor vehicle, shotguns, muzzleloaders and all other firearms must be unloaded in both barrel and magazine and enclosed in a case or carried in the trunk of a vehicle on private or public property. 

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

517-284-9453

Purchase License Online

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys