Few wildlife management stories have been as dramatic -- or successful -- as Michigan's reintroduction of wild turkeys.

Although native to the southern part of the state, wild turkeys were extirpated more than 100 years ago when the last known wild turkey in the state was killed in Van Buren County in 1897. And despite several unsuccessful attempts at releasing birds across the state, it wasn't until 1954, when the Department of Conservation purchased some turkeys from Pennsylvania -- where the birds had been successfully reestablished -- that the turkeys were successfully reintroduced here.

The original birds from Pennsylvania were released in the Allegan State Game Area. Within a decade, an estimated 2,000 turkeys ranged freely in Michigan. In 1965, Michigan held its first fall turkey hunting season in Allegan County. By 1968, spring turkey hunting was established in selected northern Michigan areas and spring soon became the primary season for Michigan turkey hunting.

Buoyed by success, the Department of Natural Resources began introducing more birds around the state. Michigan acquired birds from Iowa and Missouri, from habitats similar to southern Michigan. By the late 1980s, local populations had expanded enough that wildlife managers began capturing and moving birds from those flocks to other areas with suitable habitat. Turkey hunting opportunities expanded quickly as new flocks became established across the state.

By 2000, wild turkey populations were considered fully restored in Michigan. Today, the state boasts a population in excess of 200,000 birds -- more than twice as many as existed in presettlement times -- and wild turkeys can be found in nearly all of the state's 83 counties, absent only in some places in the Upper Peninsula.

More than 100,000 hunters have an opportunity to pursue wild turkeys every spring with a success rate that is the envy of many other turkey-hunting states. Additional fall turkey seasons allow for additional harvest, especially in areas where turkeys are thought to be overly abundant.

"Today's unmatched turkey hunting opportunities are the product of a long and careful process that has coupled the wishes of Michigan's hunters with the preservation of a quality-hunting experience," said Al Stewart, wildlife biologist and the DNR's upland game bird specialist.

A little more than a decade ago, not everyone who wanted to hunt turkeys in Michigan had the opportunity. According to Stewart, that's changed significantly with today's large quota for the private-land-only hunt in southern Michigan and guaranteed licenses for those who opt for the later May season hunt that is open across most of the state.

"Now, everyone with an interest to pursue turkeys can hunt on public or private land and have a quality hunting experience," said Stewart.

Since the inception of modern turkey hunting, Michigan has managed its seasons with a zone-and-quota system. Hunters applied for a limited number of licenses that were good for a specific area during a designated time period. Although the system is still very much in place, wildlife managers recognized that as turkey populations expanded, opportunities could, too.

In 1996, the DNR guaranteed all hunters who were willing to hunt at the end of the season that they would be able to get a license. Hunt 234, as it's now known, allows all those who purchase their license by Feb.1, the opportunity to hunt anywhere in the state except on the public lands of southern Michigan.

That was followed by a license that allowed hunters to go anywhere on private land in southern Michigan where they have permission during the first two weeks of the season.

The Area ZZ hunt, as it's come to be known, was established in 2002. The hunt has a license quota of 65,000 -- enough to accommodate almost two-thirds of the state's turkey hunters, yet virtually guarantees there will be leftover licenses available for purchase over the counter. It is increasing in popularity and well liked by participants, according to DNR hunter surveys.

The DNR has stayed with its zone-and-quota approach to prevent crowding among hunters and maintain the high-quality aspect of turkey hunting that Michigan hunters have come to expect. Attitude surveys show the majority of turkey hunters are pleased with their experience.

"Turkey hunters in Michigan have the opportunity to spend more time afield and roam over more territory than anyone thought possible when population restoration first began," Stewart said.

So where do we go from here? The DNR currently is in the midst of a three-year experiment with stabilized hunting regulations to determine if the current licensing system continues to meet the needs of state turkey hunters.

Some have suggested doing away with the zone-quota-hunt period system and opening turkey season statewide like deer season. Some say they'd like to see a more liberal bag limit. But many hunters say they like the emphasis on quality that comes with the more restricted approach.

"Managing wild turkey hunting is a balancing act involving both opportunity and quality of the experience," said Stewart.

Although opinion surveys will help determine the direction turkey management takes, Stewart warns that Michigan's turkey populations will not continue to expand forever.

As with virtually every wildlife species, Stewart knows turkey populations are likely to peak, then find equilibrium at a somewhat lower level with intermittent fluctuations that have more to do with weather, habitat quality and food availability than hunting pressure.

"Although there is no indication that we've reached that point yet in Michigan -- especially in southern Michigan -- others states with long turkey-hunting traditions report declining populations," cautioned Stewart.

DNR wildlife managers believe turkey hunting provides hunters with an excellent opportunity to teach others what makes hunting special. Because turkey hunters must exhibit a wide range of skills -- woodsmanship, camouflage, calling and marksmanship -- the opportunity to mentor others, especially youngsters, is unparalleled. The sounds and sights in the spring woods offer a unique glimpse into the wonders of our natural systems.

As Michigan becomes increasingly developed and more people are separated from the land, turkey hunting has become one of the best vehicles for connecting neophytes with Michigan's long tradition of wildlife-related outdoor recreation.