Don't be surprised to find flocks of wild turkey strolling across roads in Northwest Michigan. To motorists, they're an annoyance but to the turkey hunter, they're the essence of a great sport. Wild turkeys are found in the upland hardwood forests. There's a healthy population, but permits are limited and awarded through the lottery system, similar to bear and elk permits. Hunts take place in spring and fall.
Turkey hunters are a special breed.
Insiders say there's an ascetic element to this hunt. Hunters call birds using various techniques rather than stalking their target, taking turkeys with bows, modern firearms or muzzleloaders. Emmet, Charlevoix and Otsego counties are some of the top locations in Michigan for successful turkey hunts. Although Northwest Michigan is not located on the migratory flyway, hunters find some fairly good opportunities in the region. Among the hundreds of inland lakes, you'll find good local concentrations of mallards, wood ducks and Canada geese.