Leftover spring turkey licenses available:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials today announced results of the 2003 spring turkey lottery drawing, noting that nearly 99,000 hunters applied this year for one of the licenses available for the hunter-limited hunt periods during the April 21-May 31 season. In addition, hunters purchased more than 39,600 licenses for the Guaranteed Hunt Period during the month-long application period.

Drawing results are available on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr. All applicants, except those who applied online, will be mailed a postcard by Feb. 21. Persons who are unable to locate their drawing information on the DNR Web site or do not receive a notification card by Feb. 24 should call 517-373-3904 for assistance.

Hunters who were unsuccessful in the lottery drawing may purchase one leftover license in person on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT), Monday, March 3, at any of the 1,700 authorized license dealers throughout the state. This year, there are 43,881 leftover limited-quota licenses available.

Rather than purchase one of these leftover licenses, unsuccessful applicants may purchase a license for Hunt Number 234, May 5-31, which includes all areas open to spring turkey hunting except public land in southern Michigan Hunt Unit ZZ.

See the 2003 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Guide for all hunt numbers and dates pertaining to spring turkey hunting. Hunters are reminded that only firearms with shot no larger than No. 4 and bows and arrows may be used to take turkeys. Also, turkeys may not be hunted over bait.

Source: MDNR