Fall turkey, small game hunting seasons kick off Tuesday

Tuesday marks the beginning of Michigan’s popular fall hunting seasons for turkey and some small game, including cottontail rabbit, ruffed grouse, squirrels and woodcock.

An important reminder for turkey hunters: Starting this year, all harvested turkeys must be reported through the DNR’s website or mobile app. The successful harvest must be reported within 72 hours of the take or before you transfer possession of the turkey, whichever comes first.

Mandatory harvest reporting gives the DNR a clearer picture of turkey harvest across the state, helps ensure sustainable turkey populations and allows hunters to see near real-time harvest information as the season progresses.

Here is more information on the respective seasons:

Turkey hunting

The fall turkey season runs Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 in both the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula. An annual base license and a fall turkey license are required to hunt turkey.

License holders can harvest one turkey of any sex this fall. That turkey can be either bearded or beardless.

In the Upper Peninsula – known as Turkey Management Unit M – there is a turkey license quota of 2,200 birds. Licenses are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Unit M covers the entire U.P. except for Isle Royale, where fall turkey hunting is not allowed.

In the Lower Peninsula – known as Turkey Management Unit I – there is no license quota for fall turkey hunting. Unit I covers the entire Lower Peninsula except for Monroe County, where fall turkey hunting is not allowed.

Learn more in the 2026 Michigan fall turkey hunting regulations summary.

Small game hunting

Michigan has 11 species of small game that can be harvested using hunting methods.

A base license is required to hunt small game, including on farmlands where you live. Other licenses may be required as well.

Tuesday marks the opening of the following small game hunting seasons:

• Ruffed grouse season is Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 1.
• Woodcock season is Sept. 15 – Oct. 29.
• Snowshoe hare, cottontail rabbit and gray/fox squirrel season is Sept. 15 – March 31.

Other small-game hunting seasons, including sharp-tailed grouse and ring-necked pheasant, start later in the fall.

Woodchucks, red squirrels and ground squirrels (including chipmunks) can be hunted year-round statewide in Michigan. Ground and red squirrels can also be taken with legal trapping methods.

For more information on small game hunting – including complete license requirements, hunting zones, season dates and bag limits – see the 2026 Michigan small game hunting regulations summary.