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Sept. 7, 2017
Contact: Jordyn Richardson, 269-685-6851
Flat River State Game Area introduces new Turkey Tract
 The National Wild Turkey Federation and the Department of Natural Resources recently introduced the second Turkey Tract in southern Michigan, at the Flat River State Game Area. The new Turkey Tract is located off Fenwick Road, just east of Miller Road, in Montcalm County.
A large kiosk was unveiled at the new Turkey Tract site, giving hunters information about the area and offering discounts at Hilltop Sports and WWC Armory in Greenville for those who take a “selfie” with the kiosk. Students in the shop class at Belding High School built the kiosk.
“Partnerships within the community are so valuable, and we are so glad they were able to help us out by building this beautiful kiosk,” said Donna Jones, DNR wildlife technician.
Turkey Tracts are designed to highlight public hunting areas where intensive habitat management for turkeys has been conducted. The first one opened in spring 2016 at the Allegan State Game Area in Allegan County.
“These areas will provide beginning turkey hunters with places to go where the habitat is ideal for these popular gamebirds,” said Al Stewart, DNR upland gamebird specialist.
Wild turkeys are found in all 68 counties of the Lower Peninsula and most counties in the Upper Peninsula, where the species has continued to expand its range. In 1977, only 400 turkeys were harvested during the Michigan hunting season. By 2014, annual harvest figures had eclipsed 30,000 birds. Michigan is now ranked eighth in the nation for turkey harvest.
“We’ve had hunters from all over the country and many international hunters come to Michigan to hunt turkeys,” said Stewart. “The comeback of the wild turkey is one of the greatest wildlife conservation stories, and we are happy to share our success with others.”
Ryan Boyer, regional biologist with National Wild Turkey Federation, gave a tour of the new Turkey Tracts area to NWTF members from all over the country and DNR staff members, describing habitat management practices that benefit turkeys and other wildlife within the game area.
Management practices include timber harvest, selective use of herbicides, invasive species treatment and removal, and prescribed fire.
“Because of the partnership NWTF has with the DNR, we are able to make these Turkey Tracts happen, which allows hunters to experience turkey hunting in a way they may not have been able to in the past,” Boyer said.
“Habitat work is so important to the success of these Turkey Tracts,” said National Wild Turkey Federation CEO Becky Humphries. “This work parallels with NWTF’s Save the Habitat Save the Hunt initiative. NWTF national board members from all over the country were able to participate in this dedication and felt honored to be a part of the day.”
Michigan’s 2017 fall turkey hunting season runs Sept. 15 to Nov. 14. There are 51,350 licenses available, including 4,650 general licenses and 46,700 private-land licenses.
Information about fall turkey hunting, including drawing results and leftover license availability, can be found at mi.gov/turkey.
/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Suggested captions follow.
Flat River Turkey Tract 1: National Wild Turkey Federation and Department of Natural Resources staff members get ready to unveil the kiosk at the new Turkey Tract at Flat River State Game Area in Montcalm County.
Flat River Turkey Tract 2: National Wild Turkey Federation and Department of Natural Resources staff members celebrate the opening of the new Turkey Tract at Flat River State Game Area in Montcalm County./
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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