Equipment regulations

Are there any types of equipment I cannot use to hunt a turkey?
Yes. You cannot use any of the following types of equipment to hunt a turkey in Michigan:

• Snares, traps, cages, nets, pitfalls or deadfalls.
• Spears, slingshots, fully automatic firearms, airbows or mechanical devices other than bows, crossbows and firearms.
• Cartridges containing tracer or explosive bullets.
• Drugs, poisons, anticoagulants, stupefying substances, smoke, gas or explosives.

Hunter orange

Do I need to wear hunter orange while fall turkey hunting?
No. If you are fall turkey hunting, you are exempt from the hunter orange requirement.

Elevated platforms and ground blinds

Can I hunt turkeys from an elevated platform?
Yes. You can hunt turkeys from an elevated platform using a bow, crossbow or firearm on public and private lands during the fall turkey season. Elevated platforms are only permitted to be used on public lands from Sept. 1 through March 1. A fall arrest system is recommended.

Can I use a ground blind on public lands during the fall turkey season?
Yes. You can use ground blinds on public land in the TMU for which you have a license. Ground blinds used to hunt turkeys during the fall turkey season can be placed on public lands Sept. 15 through Nov. 14.

What type of ground blinds are legal on public lands?

• Type 1 (portable ground blind): This blind must be clearly portable and removed at the end of each day's hunt. Fasteners, if used to attach or anchor the blind, cannot penetrate the cambium of a tree and must be removed daily. No identification is required.
• Type 2 (dead natural materials ground blind): This blind must be constructed exclusively of dead and natural materials found on the ground in the area of the blind, except that a hunter can add netting, cloth, plastic or other materials for concealment or protection from the weather if these materials are not permanently fastened to the blind and are removed at the end of each day's hunt.
• Type 3 (constructed ground blind): This includes all other blinds not meeting the requirements of either Type 1 or Type 2, including portable ground blinds, if not removed daily. Identification is required. Fasteners, if used to anchor or attach the blind, cannot penetrate the cambium of a tree and must be removed with the blind. These blinds are not legal in hunter game areas, state parks and state recreation areas in Zones 3. Fall turkey hunts can place constructed ground blinds on all Zone 1 and Zone 2 public lands from Sept. 15 through Nov. 14.

What information must I tag my elevated platform or ground blind with?
In legible English, you must permanently affix your name and address or Michigan driver's license number or DNR Sportcard number to the elevated platform or Type 3 ground blind if it is placed on public lands.

Can someone else use my elevated platform or ground blind that is on public lands?
No. However, placing an elevated platform or ground blind on public lands does not guarantee exclusive use of the area. You cannot use an illegal elevated platform or ground blind regardless of who placed it on public lands.

Bows, crossbows and firearms

What equipment can I use to hunt a turkey?
You can use a bow, a crossbow, or a firearm per regulations explained in this section.

What equipment can a mentored youth hunter use?
Mentored youth hunters can use a bow, a crossbow, or a firearm. Any hunting device possessed by a mentored youth must be sized appropriately to fit the physical abilities of the youth.

What equipment can a mentor carry in the field when mentoring?
A mentor is limited to two hunting devices (shotgun, bow or crossbow) in the field while mentoring, and the mentored youth hunter must always be within arm's length of the mentor. The mentor will be held responsible for all actions of the youth hunter while in the field.

I hunt with a crossbow. Are there any restrictions on which arrows, bolts or quarrels I can use?
Yes. If you are hunting with a crossbow, you can only use arrows, bolts, and quarrels at least 14 inches in length, tipped with a broadhead point at least 7/8 inch wide.

Are there firearm restrictions for hunting turkeys?
Yes. While hunting turkeys with a firearm, you must use a firearm that fires a fixed shotgun shell or a muzzleloading shotgun. It is illegal to use or carry afield any other firearm.

Can I use a pneumatic gun for hunting turkeys?
Yes. You can use a pneumatic gun to hunt turkeys if it is muzzleloading or designed to fire a fixed shotgun shell.

Are there ammunition restrictions for hunting turkeys?
Yes. When hunting turkeys, you can only use or carry afield No. 4 shot or smaller. It is recommended that you use nontoxic shot when hunting turkeys.

I have a concealed pistol license. Can I carry my pistol while hunting?
Yes. The prohibition on carrying any other type of firearm does not apply to pistols carried under authority of a concealed pistol license, or under a specific exception from the CPL requirement.

I am not a resident of Michigan. What documentation do I need to carry a handgun in Michigan?
You must own and have in your possession either a concealed pistol license or a license to purchase, carry or transport issued by your home state to legally carry or transport a handgun in Michigan. For more information about statewide handgun regulations, obtaining a CPL, or concealed weapons and firearms laws, contact your local police department.

Transporting bows, crossbows and firearms

How should I transport my bow, crossbow or firearm when afield outside the legal hunting hours?
Firearms must be unloaded in the barrel and all arrows must be in a quiver when you are afield outside the legal hunting hours.

How should I transport my bow, crossbow or firearm while in or on a motor vehicle?
These rules apply whether your vehicle is parked, stopped or moving. At all times when carried in or on a motor vehicle:

• Shotguns, muzzleloaders and other firearms must be unloaded in both barrel and magazine and enclosed in a case or carried in the trunk of a vehicle on private or public property.
• Crossbows and bows must be unloaded and uncocked or enclosed in a case or carried in the trunk of a vehicle while that vehicle is operated on public land or on a highway, road or street.
• A person holding a valid permit to hunt from a standing vehicle may transport or possess an uncased firearm with a loaded magazine on a personal assistive mobility device if the action is open.

How should I transport my bow, crossbow or firearm while in or on an off-road vehicle?
These rules apply whether your off-road vehicle is parked, stopped or moving. At all times, when carried in or on an off-road vehicle:

• Shotguns, muzzleloaders and other firearms must be unloaded in both barrel and magazine and enclosed in a case or equipped with and made inoperative by a manufactured, key-locked, trigger-housing mechanism.
• Crossbows and bows must be unloaded and uncocked or enclosed in a case or carried in the trunk of a vehicle while the vehicle is operated on public land or on a highway, road or street.
• A person holding a valid permit to hunt from a standing vehicle may transport or possess an uncased firearm with a loaded magazine on a personal assistive mobility device if the action is open.

How should I transport my firearm while in or on a boat?
These rules apply when the vessel is under power and until forward motion has ceased. Once the vessel is no longer under power and forward motion has ceased, firearms can be loaded. When carried in or on a motor-propelled boat or sailboat, while the vessel is under power or forward motion is occurring:

• Shotguns, muzzleloaders and all other firearms must be unloaded in both barrel and magazine.

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