DNR - Historical Harvest Information

Spring Seasons

	1969	1979	1989	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Applicants	11,895	17,643	38,782	125,812	139,937	140,912	136,470	138,740	133,035
Hunters	3,200	8,982	22,199	78,376	88,894	87,538	88,912	92,005	90.287
Turkeys Harvested	50	627	6,195	30,353	37,993	30,867	33,369	37,522	35,547
Success Rate	2%	7%	28%	39%	36%	35%	38%	41%	39%
Area Open to Hunting (Sq. Miles)	4,049	4,914	18,682	42,537	42,537	44,540	44,540	44,540	44,540

Fall Seasons

	1969	1979	1989	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Hunters	1,000	No Open	4,393	20,702	16,402	17,836	15,198	20,138
Turkeys Harvested	29	Season	2,096	8,977	7,490	5,450	4,992	4,913
Success Rate	4%	in	35%	34%	35%	31%	33%	30%
Area Open to Hunting (Sq. Miles)	2,782	Fall 1979	6,566	27,632	27,329	33,698	26,424	31,939

These tables demonstrate the expansion of wild turkeys in the state. This expansion has been monitored through the years using various survey techniques. Information from these surveys have been used to manage Michigan's wild turkeys. We have used the wing and feather collection survey to determine the age and sex of harvested birds. We also use mail surveys sent to random samples of hunters to evaluate turkey hunting seasons and population trends. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed samples and information toward our turkey surveys through the years. Your assistance has been helpful and important in the restoration of wild turkeys in Michigan. Hunter cooperation on our mail surveys will continue to provide important information for management of our turkey population.