Oct. 1, 2008
Department of Natural Resources wildlife officials remind hunters that plenty of leftover fall turkey licenses are available for purchase for many of the wild turkey management units. Fall turkey hunting season begins Monday, Oct. 6.
Licenses remain available for 12 of the 17 hunts that run through Nov. 14. Most of the leftover licenses are for private land only, but many general licenses, which are valid for both public and private land, remain for two units: Unit M in the Upper Peninsula, and Unit J, which includes Emmet, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Antrim, and Otsego counties.
"Things went well last year," explained Al Stewart, the DNR's upland game bird specialist. "Hunter success was 32 percent last fall, up from 28 percent in 2006 and hunter satisfaction improved as well; 64 percent of hunters rated their hunting experience as excellent, very good, or good."
"We anticipate similar results this fall as turkey populations remain high across the areas open to hunting," Stewart added.
Fall turkey seasons are used as a means of controlling turkey populations in areas where populations are high.
Hunters may buy one fall turkey license which allows them to harvest a bird of either sex during the fall season. Turkey hunting licenses may be purchased at any authorized license dealer, at DNR Operations Service Centers or online at www.michigan.gov/dnr using the E-License system.