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DNR summaries 2026-27
Wild Turkey Hunting in Michigan, 2026-27
Fall turkey runs Sep 15 to Nov 14, 2026 in unit I (the Lower Peninsula except Monroe County, unlimited licenses) and unit M (the Upper Peninsula, 2,200 licenses first come, first served), one bird of either sex per license. 2026-27 turkey dates, limits and public properties in Michigan.
Photo: Dave Williss (CC BY 2.0)
Spring 2027 hunt dates and quotas are not published yet; the spring 2026 season ran Apr 18 to May 31, 2026 in 6 hunts across units M, NN and ZZ, and those 2026 hunts are shown on this page as the latest edition. Turkey harvest reporting became mandatory in 2026, within 72 hours; the DNR app showed 19,648 birds reported for 2026 by Oct. 22, with the fall season still running. The fall 2025 harvest survey estimated 4,040 birds taken by 18,119 hunters, a 22% success rate.
How the regulations sum up wild turkeys
- Season shape: Shotgun/muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot, bow, crossbow; fall Sept. 15-Nov. 14; spring (2026) April 18-May 31 by hunt.
- Take: Spring: one bearded turkey per license; fall: one turkey of either sex per license.
- Notes: Mandatory harvest reporting from 2026; spring drawing Jan. 1-Feb. 1.
DNR source page, checked October 22, 2026.
GearHeading out for turkey season? Turkey gear checklist →
Michigan turkey dates for 2026-27
From the first turkey opener to the last close there are 8 segments; the dashed line marks today.
| Season | Where | Method | Opens | Closes | Days | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 (hunt 0110) | TMU M | Shotgun (fixed shotgun shell) or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot, bow or | Apr 18, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 44 | |
| Spring 2026 (hunt 0134) | TMU NN | Shotgun (fixed shotgun shell) or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot, bow or | Apr 18, 2026 | May 1, 2026 | 14 | |
| Spring 2026 (hunt 0302) | TMU ZZ | Shotgun (fixed shotgun shell) or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot, bow or | Apr 18, 2026 | May 1, 2026 | 14 | |
| Spring 2026 (hunt 0301) | TMU ZZ (private land only) | Shotgun (fixed shotgun shell) or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot, bow or | Apr 18, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 44 | |
| Spring 2026 (hunt 0234) | Statewide hunt 0234 (TMU M and NN public/private land; TMU ZZ private land only; Fort Custer with permission) | Shotgun (fixed shotgun shell) or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot, bow or | May 2, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 30 | |
| Spring 2026 (hunt 0303) | TMU ZZ | Shotgun (fixed shotgun shell) or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot, bow or | May 2, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 30 | |
| Fall | TMU I (Lower Peninsula except Monroe County) | Shotgun (fixed shotgun shell) or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot, bow or | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | 61 | |
| Fall | TMU M (Upper Peninsula) | Shotgun (fixed shotgun shell) or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot, bow or | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | 61 |
Wild Turkey row notes
- Quota: 6,000. One bearded turkey per license. Spring 2027 dates and quotas not yet published (2027 summary due about December 2026).
- Quota: 18,000. One bearded turkey per license. Spring 2027 dates and quotas not yet published (2027 summary due about December 2026).
- Quota: 8,000. One bearded turkey per license. Spring 2027 dates and quotas not yet published (2027 summary due about December 2026).
- Quota: Unlimited. One bearded turkey per license. Spring 2027 dates and quotas not yet published (2027 summary due about December 2026).
- Unlimited quota (hunt 0401); one turkey of either sex per license; licenses on sale Aug. 15.
- Quota 2,200 first-come first-served (hunt 0402); either sex.
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summary, checked October 22, 2026.
Wild Turkey limits and license costs, 2026-27
Limits for wild turkeys in the DNR's own words, then each license, stamp and application with resident, senior, youth and nonresident prices.
Wild turkey (spring)
One bearded turkey per license; one spring license per year.
Wild turkey (fall)
One turkey of either sex per fall license.
Wild Turkey licenses and stamps
| License | Resident | 65 and older | Youth | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base license | $11 | $5 | $6 | $151 |
| Spring turkey application | $5 | $5 | – | $5 |
| Spring turkey license | $15 | $6 | – | $15 |
| Spring turkey youth license | – | – | $15 | – |
| Fall turkey license | $15 | $6 | $15 | $15 |
DNR regulation summary and fee tables, DNR eLicense, checked October 22, 2026. Michigan hunting license guide.
Wild Turkey field rules
Field rules for wild turkeys, checked on October 22, 2026.
Reporting
Mandatory from 2026: report within 72 hours or before transfer of possession, online or app.
Hours
Turkey hunters follow the WCO 2.5 hours, sunrise minus 30 minutes to sunset plus 30, on the DNR table for the date. Spring hunts close earlier, one-half hour before sunset (WCO 2.5(5)).
Orange and pink
No orange is required for turkey hunting; MCL 324.40116 lists turkey hunters among the exceptions.
Baiting law
No bait to take turkey (fall summary); standing crops and naturally growing foods excepted.
Hunting on Sunday
No Sunday closure applies to wild turkeys in Michigan.
Spring license
Base license plus spring (drawing, hunt 0234/0301, youth or leftover) or fall license.
Reporting
Mandatory from 2026: report within 72 hours or before transfer of possession, online or app.
Bait
No bait to take turkey (fall summary); standing crops and naturally growing foods excepted.
Spring hours
The spring turkey day runs one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour before sunset (WCO 2.5(5)), and a loaded firearm may be carried to the stand up to one hour before spring hours.
Wild Turkey hunting times by zone
| Day | Season point | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2026 | Fall opens | 6:42 a.m. to 8:12 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 8:18 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 8:24 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Fall closes | 6:52 a.m. to 5:49 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 6:01 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 6:07 p.m. |
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 regulation summaries: harvest reporting, MCL 324.40116 hunter orange, baiting, hunting hours tables, checked October 22, 2026. Hunting hours by zone · Michigan hunting laws.
Where turkey rules change by unit
Spring 2027 hunts are not out yet, so the hunt table is the spring 2026 edition.
| Turkey unit | County count | WCO | Birds reported 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring M | 15 | 12.613 | 1,254 |
| Spring NN | 30 | 12.642 | 4,156 |
| Spring ZZ | 38 | 12.641 | 13,292 |
| Fall M | 15 | 12.654 | 124 |
| Fall I | 67 | 12.675 | 822 |
Spring 2026: hunts and quotas
| Unit | Dates (2026) | Quota | Hunt |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | April 18 – May 31 | 6,000 | 0110 |
| NN | April 18 – May 1 | 18,000 | 0134 |
| Statewide | May 2 – May 31 | Unlimited | 0234 |
| ZZ (private land) | April 18 – May 31 | Unlimited | 0301 |
| ZZ | April 18 – May 1 | 8,000 | 0302 |
| ZZ | May 2 – 31 | 8,000 | 0303 |
spring 2026 summary, fall 2026 summary, turkey harvest reports, checked October 22, 2026.
Wild Turkey harvest trend
Survey estimates first, then the 2026 reports by unit.
| Fall | Hunters | Harvest | Success |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18,119 | 4,040 | 22% |
| 2023 | 12,358 | 3,679 | 26% |
| 2021 | 13,098 | 3,439 | 23% |
| 2019 | 12,061 | 3,618 | 26% |
| 2017 | 14,479 | 4,305 | 27% |
| 2015 | 15,275 | 4,751 | 29% |
| 2013 | 17,761 | 5,430 | 28% |
Spring 2023 and 2024 by region
| Region | Hunters 2023 | Harvest 2023 | Hunters 2024 | Harvest 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UP | 4,562 | 2,019 | 4,775 | 2,620 |
| NLP | 19,285 | 7,815 | 20,879 | 8,169 |
| SLP | 47,675 | 23,573 | 50,432 | 26,227 |
| Unknown | 3,344 | 518 | 2,707 | 325 |
| Total | 74,244 | 33,925 | 78,097 | 37,341 |
Unit totals reported for 2026
Harvest data: turkey harvest reports, DNR turkey harvest reports. Figures as the DNR labels them, checked October 22, 2026.
Wild Turkey hunting areas
Wild turkeys appear on the game list of 9 properties, sorted here by acreage.
| Property | Kind | Counties | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State Forest System | State Forest | Alcona, Alger, Alpena… | 3,954,811 |
| Ottawa National Forest | National Forest | Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton… | 1,000,750 |
| Huron-Manistee National Forest | National Forest | Alcona, Crawford, Iosco… | 979,067 |
| Hiawatha National Forest | National Forest | Alger, Chippewa, Delta… | 899,499 |
| Hunting Access Program | Hunting Access Program | Alcona, Alpena, Arenac… | 20,076 |
| Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge | National Wildlife Refuge | Saginaw | 10,000 |
| Kirtland's Warbler Wildlife Management Area (6,684 acres) | Federal WMA | Ogemaw, Clare, Oscoda… | 6,684 |
| Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (6,200 acres) | National Wildlife Refuge | Wayne, Monroe | 6,200 |
| Fennville Farm Unit | Managed waterfowl area | Allegan | 4,100 |
Top places for wild turkeys by harvest
- Allegan690 birds
- Jackson588 birds
- Saginaw541 birds
- Newaygo525 birds
- Livingston502 birds
- Montcalm497 birds
- Kent495 birds
- Lapeer488 birds
- Barry478 birds
- Hillsdale460 birds
Properties and their game lists from DNR, USFS, FWS and NPS pages and the DNR land layers, retrieved 2026-10-22. Michigan public land directory · County guides.
Firearms, bows and loads for wild turkeys
Weapon rules change with the season, so match the row to the turkey segment you hunt.
| Season or group | Legal | Not legal |
|---|---|---|
| Wild turkey (spring and fall) | Shotgun firing fixed shotgun shells or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot; bow; crossbow (WCO 3.310). | Rifles, handguns, shot larger than No. 4. |
Wild Turkey method rules
Ground blinds on public land
Sept. 1 through end of deer seasons. Type 1 portable (removed daily) and Type 2 dead natural materials need no ID; Type 3 constructed blinds need ID and are not allowed on state game areas, state parks and recreation areas in Zone 3; no cutting of vegetation.
Afield outside hunting hours
Firearms unloaded in the barrel and arrows in a quiver (WCO 2.5(7)); may load only at the point of kill of a downed big-game animal.
Hunting in Michigan state parks and recreation areas
State parks closed to hunting unless opened by law; recreation areas open unless closed (about 92% of land open); no centerfire rifle/pistol at night; target shooting only at designated ranges; Recreation Passport for vehicle entry.
Michigan regulation summaries, the Wildlife Conservation Order and MCL part 401, checked October 22, 2026.
Michigan turkey questions answered
When are the spring 2027 turkey dates?
Not published yet. The spring 2026 hunts were TMU M Apr 18-May 31; TMU NN Apr 18-May 1; TMU ZZ Apr 18-May 1; TMU ZZ Apr 18-May 31; Statewide hunt 0234 May 2-May 31; TMU ZZ May 2-May 31. The DNR summary for 2027 was due about December 2026.
How did the spring 2026 turkey drawing work?
Applications ran Jan. 1-Feb. 1, 2026 ($5); Results March 2, 2026; leftovers March 9 (unsuccessful applicants) and March 16 (all, plus hunts 0234/0301). Ages 17+; youth 10-16 buy a youth license without applying. 2027 dates not yet published.
Can I buy a fall turkey license over the counter?
Yes. No drawing; licenses on sale Aug. 15, 10 a.m. Unit I is unlimited; TMU M quota 2,200 first-come.
Which turkey unit reported the most birds in 2026?
Unit ZZ in the southern Lower Peninsula with 13,292 spring birds, then NN with 4,156 and M with 1,254.
Are rifles legal for Michigan turkeys?
Shotgun firing fixed shotgun shells or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot; bow; crossbow (WCO 3.310). Not legal: rifles, handguns, shot larger than no. 4.
Is there a daily or season cap on wild turkeys?
One bearded turkey per license; one spring license per year. One turkey of either sex per fall license.
Which licenses does a turkey hunter carry?
Buy, as it applies to wild turkeys: Base license ($11); Spring turkey application ($5); Spring turkey license ($15); Fall turkey license ($15).
Can wild turkeys be hunted on state or federal land in Michigan?
Michigan State Forest System, Ottawa National Forest and Huron-Manistee National Forest head a list of 9 properties.
How early may turkey hunters start?
Turkey hunters follow the WCO 2.5 hours, sunrise minus 30 minutes to sunset plus 30, on the DNR table for the date. Spring hunts close earlier, one-half hour before sunset (WCO 2.5(5)).
Do turkey hunters wear orange or pink?
No orange is required for turkey hunting; MCL 324.40116 lists turkey hunters among the exceptions.
Can feed be used to hunt wild turkeys?
No bait to take turkey (fall summary); standing crops and naturally growing foods excepted.
What happens after I take a turkey in Michigan?
Mandatory from 2026: report within 72 hours or before transfer of possession, online or app.
Can turkey hunters go out on a Sunday in Michigan?
No Sunday closure applies to wild turkeys in Michigan.
What equipment is legal for wild turkeys?
Wild turkey (spring and fall): Shotgun firing fixed shotgun shells or muzzleloading shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot; bow; crossbow (WCO 3.310).
What is the 2026-27 calendar for wild turkeys in Michigan?
For wild turkeys: spring 2026 (hunt 0110) Apr 18 to May 31, 2026 (TMU M); spring 2026 (hunt 0134) Apr 18 to May 1, 2026 (TMU NN); spring 2026 (hunt 0302) Apr 18 to May 1, 2026 (TMU ZZ); spring 2026 (hunt 0301) Apr 18 to May 31, 2026 (TMU ZZ (private land only)); spring 2026 (hunt 0234) May 2 to May 31, 2026. Scroll up to the dates table for the remaining turkey segments.
Wild Turkey: final checks
Dates and limits here match the DNR summaries as checked on October 22, 2026; the DNR can change them, so check the summary before a turkey hunt.
Other photos on this page: Calistemon (CC BY-SA 4.0); GlacierNPS (Public domain); Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0); Fyn Kynd (CC BY 2.0).