In less than 2 months Michigan’s spring turkey season will be underway. I look forward to hunting for spring gobblers every year. It’s right around the time that the snow is starting to melt and the woods are starting to come alive again after a long winter. Getting out to hunt turkeys with friends, family, or even by yourself is one of the most enjoyable hunts you can do. There are a lot of turkeys in Michigan, they provide just the right amount of challenge, and wild turkey breast is one of the best meals you can have. While the opener is still about 8 weeks away, there are some things you can do now to make sure you’re ready when the season starts.

1. Find Shotgun Shells – This year especially, there is a huge ammo shortage going on. Don’t assume you’ll be able to stop by Cabela’s the night before your hunt and grab your favorite turkey loads. Start searching now and if you find a good turkey load buy a few boxes so you have enough to get through the season.
2. Pattern Your Shotgun – Every year hunters don’t pattern their shotgun before turkey season and are shocked when they miss the first bird they shoot at. Get out to the range with a couple turkey targets and 6-9 shells and pattern your shotgun with the ammo and choke you will be hunting with. If you’re new to patterning your own shotgun, you can find more info here.
3. Figure out where you will be hunting and get your license – If you’re hunting in the northern part of the state or on private land in the southern part, you should have no problem getting a license. If you plan on hunting public in the southern half of the lower peninsula, you will need to figure out which unit and plan on trying to get a leftover license when they go on sale March 15th at 10 am.
4. Practice Your Calls – Get the slate or box call out and start working on some of the different turkey sounds. If you have always wanted to try a diaphragm call, you still have time to pick one up and start working with it.
5. Check Your Gear – Get your blind out and make sure it’s still in good shape. Check your decoys to make sure they’ll still inflate. Test your boots for waterproofness. If you need to replace or repair anything, do it ahead of time.
6. Request Time Off Work – Put in that request now for the opening day of turkey season, or failing that, start preparing your excuse now (I just came down with a really bad case of turkey fever is not an acceptable excuse for most jobs).