Turkeys live in Michigan year-round, and while wild turkeys hang around through the winter, you might see more activity this spring as they enter breeding season.

If turkeys in your neighborhood are becoming bothersome, try hazing – or scaring – them as well as removing any wildlife feeders that may be out.  

"While many people might feed turkeys because they enjoy seeing them, especially in the winter months, fed turkeys can become comfortable around people and may start to be unwelcome," said Hannah Schauer, DNR wildlife communications coordinator. "If you do have feeders out, make sure they are inaccessible to the turkeys or you may need to remove them altogether."  

You also want to establish your dominance by using some hazing techniques to scare them when they come around, like making loud noises and waving your arms. Don’t be shy – you want to maintain turkeys' natural fear of humans. It’s important for the animals’ safety and helps keep them from becoming a nuisance to people.

Male turkeys, especially during breeding season, become territorial toward other male turkeys – including their own reflection. Songbirds such as robins or cardinals also peck at their own reflection in a window. Cover or disguise your windows to help keep the birds from seeing their reflection. You may also want to park vehicles inside or cover them to prevent damage if a turkey finds its reflection in the paint or shiny hubcaps. 

"If you are in an area where hunting is allowed, you can take advantage of turkey hunting opportunities," said Schauer. "Hunting plays an important role in managing turkeys by regulating their numbers." 

Spring turkey season is open through June 7. Learn about turkey hunting opportunities at Michigan.gov/Turkey.

More turkey tips and information on how to handle conflicts with wildlife can be found at Michigan.gov/Wildlife. 

Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453.

What does summer in Michigan taste like? Pop a fresh, juicy blackberry warmed by the sun into your mouth and find out. Rich morel mushrooms, sweet and smoky maple syrup and intense sumac and juniper are among the flavors you can find when you step into Michigan’s outdoors.

Get in touch with the seasons and bring the flavors of the wild home with the help of a new foraging section on the DNR’s website. These webpages share information about different varieties of wild berries, the basics of maple sap collection for syrup and tips for morel mushroom hunting. 

“Every spring, we get tons of calls and emails asking what you can pick on state lands,” said DNR Land Use Program Lead Matt Fry. “This information will help people forage safely and responsibly.” 

On state-managed lands, the “fruits” of plants may be harvested, including berries, nuts, tree fruits and mushrooms. However, to protect plant species that often take years to grow and reproduce, you may not harvest whole plants. Foods gathered on state lands are for personal use only. Properly identify anything you take from the wild and eat at your own risk. Over time, more information on foraging will be added to the webpages. Soon, you’ll have the tools to turn a tangle of young dandelion greens into an herby quiche, brew a fragrant cup of pine needle tea or grill a swoon-worthy morel mushroom flatbread over hot coals. 

Want to get started? Check out the foraging page for more information and resources.

Have foraging topics you’d like to hear about? Share suggestions with Rachel Coale via email at CoaleR@Michigan.gov. 

Did you know the first mosque in the United States was founded in Highland Park in 1921? In case you missed it, the Michigan History Center (an agency within the DNR) recently shared a Facebook post on the mosque’s journey from idea to reality. Syrian immigrants (from modern Syria and Lebanon) launched a fundraising campaign in Michigan and across the U.S. to establish the nation’s first mosque in Detroit.

Like many of the city’s newcomers, Syrians had moved to Detroit to work at Ford Motor Company’s Highland Park Assembly Plant. Members of Michigan’s Muslim community contributed to the costs of building the mosque because they wanted Detroit to be a focal point for Islam in America. The Highland Park Mosque opened June 8, 1921, on Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that celebrates the end of Ramadan.

Though the Highland Park Mosque was open only a year, one of its main goals was achieved. Today, southeast Michigan is home to the largest and most diverse population of Arab Americans in the U.S. Want to learn more about Arab American Heritage Month in Michigan? Follow the Michigan History Center on Facebook.