Are turkey numbers up or down in Leelanau County?
My personal observations are that I haven’t seen many, which contrasts with the success of many friends who are turkey hunters.
Of course, they’re pretty good hunters.
For instance, both the Steimel brothers killed nice birds — Mark from Leland Township a 20-pounder with a nine-inch beard; Al from Suttons Bay a 20 1/2 pounder with a 10-inch beard. Knowing how competitive they are, the accurate measurements came in handy for Al.
The brothers drew the first week-long hunt in April. It took Mark three days to connect, and I’m sure he worked hard. “But we saw birds each day. I’m seeing more toms than hens,” he said.
Chuck and Janis Bond of Cleveland Township were willing to give it a try, but he ended up not even buying a tag. In midwinter they enjoyed watching 30 behind their house — then the birds dispersed, not to be found again.
Janis drew an early hunt that went fruitless without even a close call. The couple have an observation route that takes them through mostly Lakeshore property that was better for coffee drinking than turkey sighting.
“I haven’t seen turkeys in a month,” Bond reported in early May. “My observations late winter into spring have been very few birds. When I have seen one it’s a lone bird and usually a hen, but they’ve been few and far between.”
The Smith family of Bingham Township had its usual season — three birds shot in Grand Traverse County, one each for dad and grown siblings Nathan and Audrey.
“What I like to tell people is it’s harder than it use to be in the past. It was nice that my kids appreciate shooting jakes. Nate and I always tried to shoot a turkey early so he could get back to school (at St. Mary). This time we were rushing to shoot and get back for church,” Smith said.
••• While the late turkey season is winding down — it goes through May 31 — there will be for the first time a fall season in Leelanau County. The state Natural Resources Commission at its May 8 meeting authorized a fall turkey hunt across the state. For several years Michigan has held a limited turkey hunt in the fall, but only in areas where the flock needed trimming. Leelanau was excluded.
Not so this fall. The NRC voted unanimously to offer an unlimited number of tags for the Lower Peninsula, and 2,200 tags on a first come, first served basis for the U.P.
••• The NRC also rolled back restrictions on two hunts this fall for handicap people, who will still be allowed to shoot bucks. I had the honor of addressing the NRC at its February meeting, advocating on behalf of the Passing Along the Heritage (PATH) Foundation to revoke the ban on bucks. However, the commission two weeks ago did not reinstate the harvesting of bucks during the youth season.
••• Leelanau County has three parks that you and a loved one who has passed on could soon become a part of.
The county Parks and Recreation Commission is looking into a memorial bench and/ or table program that citizens could purchase through the county complete with a dedication plaque. The project is in its infancy, so please don’t show up with a check quite yet. But the thought of providing a few more places to picnic and contemplate in partnership with residents has appeal.
Turkey hunters, including Audrey Smith of Bingham Township, have had to put in more time to fill tags. They’ll have another chance in 2025 as for the first time a fall turkey hunt will extend to Leelanau County. Courtesy photo
The commission is also looking into establishing a “friends” group for each park to bolster involvement.
••• Speaking of parks, the date to write down is Sunday, June 22, for Kids Fishing Day at Veronica Valley County Park. The KFD committee has been busy preparing for hands-on amphibian display, lining up the fly fishing demonstration, and ordering 3,500 adult bluegill. It’s all free, from grilled hot dogs to a handson, artsy project for kids.
The day is designed for young fishers and families of all ages. Many a young girl or boy from the county caught their first fish at KFD.
••• While it could change any day, walleye fishing has been slow on Lake Leelanau. Only eight teams entered in the Lake Leelanau Walleye Tournament sponsored by the Lake Leelanau Narrows Resort bothered to check back for judging last week, and opening day on April 26 was a bust. A downstate tandem won the. Tourney, with Greg Alsip and Cal Stier, who won in 2024, placing second. Hard to say if cool weather this week helped turn the tide toward better walleye outcomes.
“I think most of it has to do with the weather,” explained Stier. “After spawn the weather hasn’t settled down, and after the stress of spawning walleye seem to have gone back into almost a winter mode.”
Alsip and Stier boated four keeper walleye. They spent the day before the tournament on the water seeking out hot areas to fish — and caught nothing.
He would like to see the MDNR resume stocking walleyes in the lake due to pressure from anglers using advance sonar in recent years.
