Wild Turkey Cooperator Patches Available from Michigan NWTF
As spring turkey season opens in Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that commemorative patches are available from the Michigan Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Souvenir patches were once given to successful turkey hunters who submitted feather samples to DNR for data collection purposes. The Wild Turkey Federation, which incorporated a contest for youths to design the patches, took over the program in 2001.
Viktoria Basso of Lake Orion – a freshman at Lake Orion High School, who was in eighth grade when she submitted her design – designed the 2012 Michigan Wild Turkey Cooperator patch. The round patch features the head, breast and beard of a strutting gobbler.
Hunters, collectors or other wild turkey enthusiasts can order a patch by sending a $5 check and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Wild Turkey Patch Program, P.O. Box 8, Orleans, MI 48865. Youths, 16 and younger, can receive a free patch by mailing a copy of their spring turkey hunting license.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
