Report Nr. 3597 Michigan Turkey Hunter Opinion Survey Why Frequent License Buyers Did Not Buy a License in 2014

Hunting license fees in Michigan increased for the first time in 17 years in 2014. In 2014, 89,170 people purchased a spring turkey hunting license (resident and nonresident combined), which was 14% less than in 2013. Prior to the fee increase (2011-2013), about 63% of resident license buyers and 51% of nonresident license buyers purchased a license in consecutive years. After the fee increase, 57% of resident and 28% of nonresident license buyers in 2013 purchased a license in 2014. Turkey hunters that had purchased a turkey hunting license in both 2012 and 2013 but not in 2014 were contacted to determine why they did not purchase a turkey hunting license. The primary reasons for not buying a hunting license among residents was people lacked the time to hunt turkeys because of family (27%) or work (22%) commitments. In contrast, nonresidents most frequently indicated the increased cost of licenses (65%) as an important reason for not buying a license. About 76% of former license buyers (residents and nonresidents combined and among residents only) indicated they were very likely or somewhat likely to purchase a license during the next two years. In contrast, only 48% of nonresidents were very likely or somewhat likely to buy a license in the next two years.