Report Nr. 2967 Michigan's 1983 Spring Turkey Season

A total of 1746 turkeys were taken by hunters during the 1983 season; two less than in 1982, when 1,748 birds were harvested. The weather during the hunting season was quite variable. About 20 percent of the hunters complained of bad weather. A total of 22.9 percent commented that they did not see enough turkeys or turkey sign. Not seeing birds was probably a factor of the weather. Frequent spring rains played an important part in reducing hunter satisfaction. "Gobbling" activity was generally erratic and birds responded poorly to calling. Hunters spent 45,914 days hunting compared to 45,220 days in 1982, even though there were 593 more hunters afield.