Michigan’s long-awaited guaranteed spring turkey hunt – Hunt 234 – started Monday.

“The intent of the spring turkey season is to provide opportunity to all hunters while maintaining high-quality turkey hunting,” said Department of Natural Resources upland game bird biologist Al Stewart. “Hunt 234 is a great way for anyone to get out hunting this spring, with a month of hunting and the ability to buy your license over the counter without an application.”

Hunt 234 is a statewide hunting license valid for all open areas, except public lands in the southern Lower Peninsula (Hunt Unit ZZ). The Hunt 234 license can be purchased at any time throughout the May 1-May 31 season.

To learn more about spring turkey hunting, see the Spring Turkey Digest and watch this DNR spring turkey regulations video.

“Don’t forget, you can commemorate your 2017 spring turkey season with a wild turkey cooperator patch. You do not have to harvest a bird to receive this collector’s patch,” said Stewart. With the help of the Michigan Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Foundation, this patch program has contributed dollars to turkey-related projects and management here in Michigan.

Young hunters, 17 years old and younger, who have a valid wild turkey hunting license may receive a free patch. To receive a patch, please send name and complete address, along with a legible copy of the youth’s valid wild turkey hunting license, to National Wild Turkey Federation, Wild Turkey Patch Program, P.O. Box 8, Orleans, MI, 48865. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery. If you have questions, please e-mail michiganwildturkeypatch@yahoo.com.

Adult hunters, collectors and other interested individuals may purchase the patch for $5, including postage and handling. Only the current-year patch is available for purchase. You do not have to harvest a turkey to purchase a patch. Send orders to the address above and make check or money order payable to the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Every resident or nonresident who hunts in Michigan needs an annual base license. Once the base license is purchased, hunters can buy a spring turkey license. The DNR recommends purchasing a license in person at a DNR Customer Service Center, or anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold, in order to have the spring turkey license in time for the season. A turkey license includes a kill tag, which must be attached to the turkey immediately when harvested.

If you have questions, call 517-284-WILD (517-284-9453).

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