Get all your fishing information here, including rules and regulations, license info, the weekly fishing report and much more. Use the link above to visit the fishing home page, or go directly to your area of interest below:
Get all your hunting information here, including hunting season dates, rules and regulations, and much more. Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below:
Information on DNR shooting and archery ranges, rules and regulations, resources to get started and more. Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below:
Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below:
Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket.
Find cross-country ski, ice fishing , snowmobiling info and much more.
Find facility info, overnight info, an event calendar and much more.
Find a great trail experience near you - whether you want to hike, bike, snowmobile or ride an ORV. From long, paved linear trails to rugged forest terrain, Michigan offers trail opportunities for all abilities and interests.
Visitor Centers across the state provide education programs, field trips, archery, fishing, trails and much more. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below.
We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety. Visit the grants home page by clicking on the button above, or view a specific area of interest below:
Recreational Safety and Hunter Education
Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below.
DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.
DNR educators provide classroom lessons, field trip opportunities, professional development and experiential programs to teachers around the state. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.
DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. Click the box above to learn more about Michigan's state forests.
All DNR-related boards, committees, and advisory groups
Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings with the DNR
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Can I tag my turkey after I take some photos with it first?
No. Immediately after harvesting and before moving a turkey, you must validate your kill tag and securely attach the kill tag to the leg of the turkey.
How do I validate my kill tag?
To validate your kill tag, you must notch out the appropriate information as instructed on the kill tag.
How should I tag my harvested turkey?
You must securely and permanently attach the entire kill tag to the turkey’s leg. The best way to attach a kill tag is to lay a strong piece of wire in half, across the back of it (after removing backing), so the tag can be folded or cord and to tape it in place as needed. Tie the wire or cord to the turkey's leg in such a manner that the kill tag remains securely attached. Do not stick or wrap the kill tag directly onto the leg of a turkey. Make sure the kill tag is completely legible and visible for inspection.
Where can I find more information about validating my eHarvest tag?
More information on validating an eHarvest tag is available here.
What are the rules for transporting game animals?
You can transport your own and another person’s lawfully taken game. You cannot transport or possess a turkey unless a validated kill tag is attached to the leg of the turkey. You cannot destroy the identity or evidence of the sex of a turkey while in the field or when transported in a motor vehicle.
Should I be concerned about dioxin?
Health assessors from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan DNR determined that samples of wild game from the floodplains of the Tittabawassee River and Saginaw River downstream of Midland contained high levels of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. Wild game tested include deer, turkey, cottontail rabbit, squirrel, wood duck and Canada goose. As a result, the MDHHS advises hunters and their families to follow these recommendations related to turkeys:
For additional information regarding dioxin, dioxin-like compounds and wild game advisories for the Tittabawassee River and Saginaw River floodplains, including a map of the area covered by these advisories, go to the MDHHS website at Michigan.gov/Dioxin.
Should I be concerned about lead in turkey meat?
Turkeys shot with shotguns using lead shot can have particles of lead remaining in the meat, some too small to be seen or felt. Lead can be harmful to humans and wildlife, even in very low amounts. If you have questions about the health effects of lead exposure from lead shot, call the DNR Wildlife Health Section at 517-336-5030 or find information at Michigan.gov/WDM. You can also contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at 517-241-3740 or visit Michigan.gov/MDHHS.
Who coordinates the Wild Turkey Cooperator Patch Program?
Michigan’s Wild Turkey Cooperator Patch Program is coordinated by the Michigan chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, in partnership with the DNR.
What is the National Wild Turkey Federation?
The National Wild Turkey Federation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the American wild turkey and the preservation of the hunting tradition. Proceeds from patch sales are used to fund wild turkey-related projects and management in Michigan. Each year the National Wild Turkey Federation, working cooperatively with the DNR, contributes more than $300,000 to wild turkey and hunter-heritage programs in Michigan.
How do I submit my design for the wild turkey patch contest?
You must be a K-12 student at a public, private or home school in Michigan to submit a design to the wild turkey patch contest. Visit MINWTF.org to learn how to submit your design.
Do I need to harvest a turkey to purchase a wild turkey patch?
No. You do not have to harvest a turkey to purchase a patch.
How much does a wild turkey patch cost for adults?
Adult hunters, collectors and other interested individuals can purchase a wild turkey patch for $7, including postage and handling.
How much does a wild turkey patch cost for young turkey hunters?
Young hunters, 17 years old and younger, who have a valid turkey hunting license can get a free wild turkey patch by sending their name and complete address, along with a legible copy of their valid turkey hunting license, to National Wild Turkey Federation, Wild Turkey Patch Program, P.O. Box 471, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. If you have questions, please email MichiganWildTurkeyPatch@yahoo.com.
Can I order wild turkey patches from previous years?
No. You can only purchase the current-year wild turkey patch.
How do I order a wild turkey patch?
Wild turkey patches must be ordered online at MINWTF.org. Mail-in patch orders will no longer be accepted, except for the free wild turkey patch for young hunters.
How long will it take to receive my patch?
You should receive your wild turkey patch in four to six weeks.
Is there a way for me to give the DNR feedback about my hunting experience?
Yes! We need your help. After your hunting season has ended, please report your hunting activity online at Michigan.gov/Turkey. Information you provide will improve management and ensure that decisions regarding hunting seasons are based on the best information available.
Are there any other ways I can help the DNR with feedback or reporting?
Yes. You can assist the DNR by reporting sightings of wild turkey young and adults July 1 - Aug. 1. This information, which is kept confidential, is used to assess how well turkeys are reproducing and provides information to manage the turkey population. You can make your report online at Michigan.gov/Turkey or contact a DNR office listed on the back of this publication.
