Are there left over turkey permits?

[Banditto]

Do they ever sell left over turkey permits over the counter? I wasn't lucky enough to get one in the lottery...

[Moe]

There is an unlimited number of permits for the 243 hunt.

[Banditto]

Moe would that be the 234 hunt? The southern lower area? I do have permission to hunt on a large farm, but have never seen a turkey there... oh well, better luck next year. Maybe losing the lottery on this tag will improve my odds for an elk hunt! doesn't hurt hoping

[NEMichsportsman]

After 6 yrs. of no turkey hunting I wish I could believe it would help with the elk permit! I am however going to invest heavily in the lotto, and someday be able to go elk hunting outside of Michigan. Meanwhile may this year will be my lucky year??

jp

[jscott27]

Banditto,

I think you are confused about what unit 234 includes. It includes all areas open to MI for turkey hunting EXCEPT public land in the lower half of the LP. See page 13 of the turkey hunting guide.

[Banditto]

Ah so there is hope. I checked the guide and it says we can buy left over tags Mar. 5th. Hopefully I will get lucky and get one.

Thanks for the info!

[boehr]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Al Stewart
21 FEB 02 517-373-1263

LEFTOVER SPRING TURKEY HUNTING LICENSES AVAILABLE

LANSING--The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced results of the 2002 spring turkey lottery drawing, noting that more than 143,000 hunters applied this year for 100,445 limited-quota hunting licenses available for 33 turkey management units during the April 22-May 31 season. Hunters also could apply for the Guaranteed Hunt Period, May 6-31, which includes all areas open to spring turkey hunting except public land in the southern Michigan Hunt Unit ZZ.
Drawing results are available on the DNR Web site at www.michigandnr.com. Applicants who did not receive a notification card by Feb. 22, or are unable to locate their drawing information on the DNR Web site, should call 517-373-3904 for assistance.
“More and more hunters are becoming aware of the continued growth and expansion of the wild turkey population in Michigan, and there is growing interest in this springtime hunting opportunity,” said Al Stewart, DNR Upland Game Bird Specialist.
Hunters who were unsuccessful in the lottery drawing may purchase either a leftover license or a license for the Guaranteed Hunt Period (Hunt Number 234). Unsuccessful applicants may purchase one leftover license in person on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10 a.m. (EDT), March 4, at any of the 1,700 authorized license dealers throughout the state. This year, there are 18,144 leftover limited-quota licenses available. The number of licenses available for the Guaranteed Hunt Period is unlimited.

Hunt Unit Leftover Licenses Available
104 300
120 46
121 10
122 260
124 250
129 10
130 4
137 14
138 17
146 1
161 100
162 106
165 86
166 73
169 87
170 26
173 33
174 13
181 140
182 106
185 95
186 35
189 41
190 18
193 24
201 180
202 398
203 207
204 632
301 14,832
234 Unlimited

Last year, 88,894 spring wild turkey hunters harvested 31,993 turkeys. The 2001 turkey harvest was the largest in Michigan’s history. More than 80 percent of these birds were taken on private land. It was five percent higher than the 2000 harvest of 30,353.

The majority of the 2001 spring wild turkey hunters rated their hunting experience as excellent, very good or good, and 87 percent of the hunters reported they experienced minimal interference from other hunters.
Turkey hunters can expect excellent hunting opportunities this spring.
“With more than 150,000 turkeys statewide, and more areas open to spring hunting than ever before, we believe turkey hunters and turkeys are positively responding to the department’s adaptive management practices,” Stewart said.
See the 2002 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Guide for all hunt numbers and dates pertaining to spring turkey hunting. Hunters are reminded that only firearms with shot no larger than No. 4 and bows and arrows may be used to take turkeys. Also, turkeys may not be hunted over bait.

[3006]

Now I am wondering, if I didn't apply for the drawing, can I still get one of the unlimited permits? I sure hope that is not the case. Figure they should screw everyone out of the $4 drawing fee even if you wanted one of the unlimited tags.

[dene49939]

you must apply for the lottery and be denied or you cannot get a turkey permit