When and where to hunt

Hunting hours

When is it legal for me to hunt fall turkeys?
Actual legal hunting hours (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset) for Zone A are printed in the table. To determine the opening (a.m.) or closing (p.m.) time in another zone, add the minutes shown on the map for the zone to the time from the Zone A hunting hours table. The hunting hours listed in the table reflect Eastern Time, adjusted for daylight saving time where appropriate. If you are hunting in Gogebic, Iron, Dickinson or Menominee counties (Central Time), you must make an additional adjustment to the printed time by subtracting one hour.

Hunting time zones map

Zone A Hunting Hours Table (September - October)

Hunting hours listed are one half-hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset (adjusted for daylight saving time).

Safety zones

What are the safety zones around buildings when hunting with a firearm?
Safety zones are all areas within 150 yards (450 feet) of an occupied building, dwelling, house, residence, cabin or any barn or other building used in a farm operation. No person may hunt or shoot at any wild animal or wild bird with a firearm within a safety zone without the written permission of the owner or occupant of the property. The safety zone applies to hunting only. It does not apply to indoor or outdoor shooting ranges, target shooting, law enforcement activities or the lawful discharge of firearms for any nonhunting purpose.

Public lands

Where can I find public hunting lands near me?
You can find places to hunt by visiting Michigan.gov/MiHunt. The interactive DNR map application Mi-HUNT can help you plan your hunting and other outdoor recreation adventures. It is the responsibility of the users of these maps to be aware of all regulations relevant to their hunting activities and locations. These maps show approximate boundaries of the lands open to public hunting.

What are Turkey Tracts?
Turkey Tracts are a series of actively managed, walk-in wild turkey hunting areas across southern Michigan. With accessible walking trails and a kiosk with maps and area information, they are great places for new hunters to explore. With the help of hunters and partners such as the National Wild Turkey Federation, the DNR developed this program to highlight local wildlife management on public hunting areas and connect hunters with local business partners. Current sites are located in Allegan, Barry, Montcalm, Oakland, Tuscola and Washtenaw counties. The program will be expanded to more locations in the future. Visit Michigan.gov/Turkey for more information.

State lands

Over 4.5 million acres of public lands are managed by the DNR and open to hunting!

Where do I find the rules for state lands?
You can find the state land use rules at Michigan.gov/DNRLaws. Please keep in mind that you cannot:

• Cut branches, limbs, trees or other vegetation for shooting lanes on public lands.
• Block any gate, road or trail on public lands.
• Camp on public lands without a permit. Permits are free and are available online at Michigan.gov/Camping or at any DNR office. They must be posted at your campsite. A fee is charged for camping at designated campsites in state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds and some state game areas.

National forest lands

Can I hunt on national forest lands?
Yes. Opportunities to hunt on national forest lands may be available for the Hiawatha, Huron-Manistee and Ottawa national forests. All state laws apply to national forest lands. Additional federal regulations also apply. For a complete listing of regulations, see 36 CFR 261 (Code of Federal Regulations) at FS.USDA.gov.

Commercial Forest lands

What are Commercial Forest lands?
Commercial Forest lands are privately owned forests enrolled in the Commercial Forest Program. CF landowners are not required to identify the property as CF, and CF land may be fenced and/or gated. The presence of a fence or gate does not prohibit public access to CF lands for fishing or hunting. The landowner may restrict public access during periods of active commercial logging to ensure public safety. Descriptions of land in the CF program and a GIS map are available on the DNR website at Michigan.gov/CommercialForest. CF parcels can also be found using Mi-HUNT at Michigan.gov/MiHunt. Contact the DNR Forest Resources Division at 517-284-5900 or visit Michigan.gov/Forestry for more information about CF lands.

Can I hunt on Commercial Forest lands?
Yes. Over 2.2 million acres of privately owned forests enrolled in the Commercial Forest Program are accessible by foot to the public for fishing, hunting and trapping. To hunt all species, you must possess licenses that are valid for private-land hunting. Use of motorized vehicles for fishing and hunting access is at the landowner's discretion. Any activities other than the acts of fishing, hunting and trapping require landowner permission. Leaving anything unattended, other than standing trees, requires landowner permission. In addition, hunters may not build structures or construct blinds other than with natural materials found on-site. The use of nails, bolts or tree steps is not allowed. The cutting of shooting lanes or destruction of brush, trees or other vegetation is prohibited. Commercial activity on CF lands is not allowed for any purpose other than forestry or oil and gas extraction.

Hunting Access Program

What is the Hunting Access Program?
The Hunting Access Program provides public hunting opportunities on private lands. The DNR leases lands from private landowners to allow public hunting. Private landowners determine if all hunters, or youth and apprentice hunters only, may hunt on their property. They also determine if hunters may harvest deer only, turkey only, small game only, sharp-tailed grouse only, all legal species or a combination of any of these options. Property owners specify the maximum number of hunters allowed on the land at any one time. Members of the public can use HAP lands only for hunting purposes; no other activities or recreation are permissible.

How do I hunt on HAP lands?
If you utilize a HAP property, you are a guest of the landowner. Respect for the landowner and landowner’s privacy is vital. You should use the types of registration service provided. Appropriate conduct is expected and helps ensure a good experience for both you and the landowner. All rules and regulations enforced by the DNR apply while hunting on HAP lands. Lands enrolled in HAP are available each day on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters must register at each property headquarters to hunt for that day. To help hunters locate and scout HAP lands, aerial photographs of HAP properties are available at Michigan.gov/MiHunt.

Where can I find more information on HAP?
For more information on HAP, including a current listing of enrolled lands, property details, registration details, HAP rules and enrollment applications, visit Michigan.gov/HAP.

Local municipalities

Are there any local municipalities with hunting or trapping restrictions?
Yes. Some local municipalities may be closed to hunting, trapping or the discharge of firearms. Please contact the local municipality office or local law enforcement agency to find out about restrictions.

Rights of way

Can I hunt within a road right of way?
You can hunt within a road right of way where the adjoining property is publicly owned. If the adjacent property is privately owned, you must have permission from the landowner.

Can I hunt within a railroad right of way?
Railroad rights of way are private property. Trespassing on railroad property is a misdemeanor. You must have written permission from the railroad company to be exempt from trespass.

Trespassing

Do I need permission to hunt on someone’s private land?
Yes. Trespassing is unlawful and erodes support for recreational hunting. Written or verbal permission is required from the landowner or leaseholder before you hunt on any farmlands, connected woodlots, private land or property that is fenced or enclosed. Hunters are required to show their hunting licenses to landowners upon request. Unless previously prohibited by the landowner, a person not possessing a firearm may enter on foot upon the property of another person for the sole purpose of retrieving a hunting dog. The person cannot remain on the property beyond the reasonable time necessary to retrieve the dog.

What if the turkey I wounded goes onto private land?
If you wound a turkey and it goes onto private property, you have no legal right to pursue it without permission of the landowner and would be subject to prosecution.

2024 fall turkey workshops

I am new to turkey hunting. Is there a program to help new hunters like me?
Yes. The DNR, Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association, National Wild Turkey Federation and other groups may offer wild turkey hunter orientation courses. A fee may be charged, and space may be limited. For details about events, visit Michigan.gov/Turkey.

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