The region is heavily forested and traditionally has been good gobbler country. Harsh winters set turkey populations back, Donovan said, but due to some milder cold-weather seasons in recent years, the turkey flock numbers are high. If the birds can find food during the winter months, they'll do just fine.

"We have a turkey food plot program in which private landowners plant crops in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources," Donovan said. "Along with the food plots, there are plenty of agricultural areas and bird feeders to help keep the birds healthy around here."

The Huron-Manistee National Forest comes highly recommended by Donovan as a place to look for spring toms. The Huron and Manistee forests are managed out of the forest supervisor's office in Cadillac, and all state DNR hunting regulations are in effect. Nearly a million acres of ideal habitat in the northern part of the L.P. is open to hunting, and it often goes overlooked simply because it is federally owned.

Pre-scouting in the forest definitely increases your chances for killing a bird, according to Donovan.

"Getting out there in the winter is the ideal time because they're grouped up and visible," he said. "When the spring breakup of concentrations of birds occurs, just start checking on the public lands nearby to see where they went. In the winter, the birds will most likely have been on private property since that's where the agriculture is. Just quietly walk down trails and old logging roads on public lands to listen for gobbling, and look for sign to find them."

For additional information, contact the DNR's Northwestern Management Unit at (517) 241-3101.

NORTHEAST MICHIGAN
It may come as a shock, but some of the better turkey hunting in northeastern Michigan will be found on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan off Charlevoix County, according to Northeastern Management Unit wildlife biologist Brian Mastenvrook.

"There are a lot of turkeys on Beaver Island, and if you're looking for a different kind of a hunting experience, this is it," Mastenvrook said. "About a third of the island's 60 square miles are state owned and open to public hunting. You'll need a map to make sure you're on state land, but the turkey hunting opportunities are there. Much of the area consists of northern hardwood forest and swamp, which is classic turkey habitat."

Access to Beaver Island is by boat or plane only. Beaver Island Boat Company at 1-888-446-4095 will get you there by water, or if you prefer by plane, call Island Airways at 1-800-524-6895.

The Mackinaw State Forest north of Mancelona -- also known as the Jordan River Valley -- is another good spot with steep hills, according to Mastenvrook.