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TIME IS SHORT FOR THOSE HOPING TO HUNT SPRING TURKEYS By Linda Gallagher LANSING-The Michigan DNR is reminding prospective spring turkey hunters that they have just a few more days to get in on Michigan’s popular spring turkey hunt. Anyone who is interested in hunting the big upland game birds has until February 1 to either apply for one of the state’s limited hunts, or purchase a license over the counter or online for the state’s month-long Unit 234 season, said DNR Upland Game bird Specialist Al Stewart from his office in Lansing. "Hunters looking for the greatest hunting flexibility should consider purchasing a license for the 234 hunt, which is the longest spring turkey season offered and valid for all turkey hunting areas, statewide, except on private lands in southern Michigan," Stewart said. "Those hoping to hunt spring turkeys on April 17, the first day of any of the state’s spring turkey seasons, should apply for one of the various one-week limited quota hunts being offered across the state, or purchase a license for Unit ZZ in southern Michigan, which although only valid on private lands in southern Michigan, allows hunters to enjoy a two week hunting period which also begins on April 17." With a framework much like last year’s, hunters will find few other changes to this year’s season, other than a slight expansion of the turkey hunting area, primarily in the UP, said Stewart. 46,305 square miles will be open to spring turkey hunting this year in Michigan, as compared to 45,525 in 2005. The DNR is also offering more licenses this year, again primarily to those hoping to hunt either in the UP or in southern Michigan. 114,190 limited quota hunt licenses, including 46,690 general licenses valid on either private or public lands, will be offered this year, an increase of 2, 970 tags over those made available in 2005. "Again, those licenses are being offered primarily in the UP and in southern Michigan," said Stewart, noting that quotas in northern lower Michigan have remained at a status quo for the past couple of years, a reflection of lower wild turkey populations in recent years in many areas of the northern Lower Peninsula. Although 2006 population estimates are still being gathered, it is believed that populations will be up slightly this spring after what is thought to have been a good to excellent spring nesting season last year, Stewart said, noting that the survival of wild turkeys in northern lower Michigan is entirely dependent on winter conditions. After a frightening start to the winter season, with deep snows and bitter cold a reality throughout much of the north and UP during December, January was an exceptionally mild month, leading to high hopes for this spring in many turkey hunting areas. Although organized wild turkey feeding programs conducted by various conservation groups have begun in some areas, particularly in the colder snow belt areas, there has as yet been little need for supplemental feeding of any kind throughout much of the north. "We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best for the next month or so," said Stewart. Until February 1, prospective spring hunters may apply for or purchase a turkey hunting license at any authorized license dealer, at DNR Operations Service Centers, or online. Drawing results will be available March 1. If licenses are still available after the drawing, left-over tags will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis to unsuccessful applicants beginning March 8 at 10 a.m. More information on Michigan’s 2006 Spring Turkey Hunting Season is available in the state’s Turkey Hunt Application Guide, available at local retail license outlets, or online at the DNR’s website at: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr. |
