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For many hunters, the spring turkey season begins Saturday, April 19. Here’s what you need to know before heading into the field:
See which hunt units have licenses available and snag one before they sell out. Licenses are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and can be purchased through the DNR Hunt Fish App, online through DNR eLicense or at a license retailer. Keep in mind, licenses bought online through DNR eLicense will be mailed to you seven to 10 days after purchasing.
Spring turkey season always seems to sneak up. If you haven’t gotten your hunting license yet, don’t worry. Even if there’s no time to visit a store or wait for it to arrive in the mail, you’re still in luck.
You now have the option to get an electronic kill tag (eHarvest tag) through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. Once purchased, your eHarvest tag will be immediately accessible in the app on smart phone or other mobile device. No store trips and no more waiting.
When you buy your license through the app, a paper tag will not be issued. Instead, right after harvest, you must validate the eHarvest tag using the Hunt Fish app and attach your own proof of validation to the turkey.
When packing your hunting gear, be sure to bring a permanent marker and a durable material to record the proof of validation. Duct tape, waterproof paper or a piece of paper sealed in a plastic bag are good options. The proof of validation must be written and able to withstand weather and field conditions.
How to use your eHarvest tag when you get a turkey:
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Use the Hunt Fish mobile app: Open the Hunt Fish mobile app and select the correct license.
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Validate: Tap the "validate" button.
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Enter harvest date: Enter the date of your harvest.
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Confirm: Click the "confirm" button at the bottom of the screen.
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Proof of validation: Legibly write the harvest date, your license number and the validation number on a durable, waterproof medium (e.g., duct tape, waterproof paper or plastic tag).
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Attach to turkey: Securely fasten the durable medium with the written information to the turkey's leg.
Read more about eHarvest tags ►
Questions? Contact DNR eLicense at 517-284-6057 or MDNR-E-License@Mi.gov.
Licenses for Hunt 0234 are guaranteed spring turkey licenses that do not require an application in the drawing. With the Hunt 0234 license, you can hunt on:
- Both public and private lands in the Upper Peninsula (TMU M) and in the northern Lower Peninsula (TMUs A, B, E, F, J and K).
- Private lands only in the southern Lower Peninsula (TMU ZZ).
- Fort Custer military lands with permission.
Hunt 0234 season dates are May 3-31. Learn more about this license on page 5 of the 2025 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations Summary.
The 2025 northern Michigan ice storm that struck at the end of March caused widespread damage, resulting in downed trees, debris and impassable roads across Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties.
As a result, spring turkey hunters may face limited access and unsafe conditions on state lands in turkey management units J, A and F. Downed trees and power lines have temporarily closed some state parks and all DNR trails in the 12 affected counties until debris is cleared and safe access is restored.
Public hunting areas remain open, but hunters are strongly encouraged to use extreme caution if accessing the impacted area. Stay alert, use good-judgment and avoid areas with significant damage or unstable conditions and follow these safety tips:
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Watch for tree hazards. Ice can weaken branches or bring down whole trees, even days after the storm. Stay alert for hanging limbs (widow-makers) and unstable trees, especially in wooded areas.
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Tread carefully. Ground conditions may be slick with mud or thick with downed sticks and twigs. Wear footwear with good traction and consider using a walking stick for balance.
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Drive cautiously. Avoid driving down soft or muddy roads that could trap vehicles or damage the road.
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Share your plans. Tell someone your hunting plans and expected return time in case of emergencies.
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Know before you go. To find an up-to-date list of closures, visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures and search "ice storm."
If you’re looking for a back-up plan, Michigan offers millions of acres of public hunting land statewide. Use Mi-Hunt to find an alternative spot this spring or check out areas specifically managed for turkeys at a Turkey Tract.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as “bird flu,” is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes sickness and sometimes death in birds and mammals. Since December 2024, there has been an uptick in HPAI wild bird mortality, primarily in Canada geese, trumpeter swans and scavenging birds. To date, we have not seen the disease spread among wild turkeys in Michigan.
Though the risk to people from HPAI is low, hunters should take the following precautions to avoid contracting or spreading bird flu:
- Harvest only healthy-looking birds.
- Cook all meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any viruses.
- Process wild birds in the field. Remains from processed birds should be buried on-site or double-bagged and disposed of with household trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth when handling wild birds.
- Wear rubber or disposable gloves while handling and cleaning wild birds, and wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleanser, even if hands are not visibly soiled.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect all knives, equipment and surfaces that come into contact with wild birds.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling or cleaning wild birds.
- Change clothing, including footwear, and wash hands before coming into contact with domestic animals.
If you notice wild birds acting abnormally or find six or more wild birds dead, please report it to the DNR by calling 517-336-5030 or through Eyes in the Field.
For more information about HPAI and human health, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services webpage for Communicable Disease Information and Resources or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage for Avian Flu.
Public hunting lands offer access and opportunity across the state. For optimal turkey habitat, check out Turkey Tracts. These areas are designed to highlight public hunting lands where intensive habitat management for turkeys has been conducted. Find additional public hunting lands on our Where to Hunt page. |
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The 2025 wild turkey management cooperator patch is a great way to commemorate your hunt and contribute to future turkey conservation efforts.
The Michigan Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, in partnership with the DNR, coordinates the patch program. Proceeds from patch sales will be used to create and maintain wild turkey habitats.
Patches can be purchased for $8 online at MINWTF.org. Youth hunters 17 years old and younger, who have a valid turkey hunting license, can get a patch for free by sending their name, address and copy of their turkey hunting license to:
Michigan NWTF
P.O. Box 471
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
If you have questions, please email miturkeypatch@gmail.com.
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