As we look ahead to Michigan’s 2025 turkey season, it’s hard not to think back on the unforgettable hunts we had last year. The 2024 opener threw everything it could at us — high winds, freezing temperatures, and slow-moving birds — but it ended up being one of our most memorable seasons yet.
Opening morning tested our patience and persistence. With winds gusting up to 40 mph and temperatures barely cracking 40 degrees, the turkeys were tight-lipped and hard to find. Still, sitting along the field edge with our Avian-X decoys holding their ground in the gale, we managed to spot a few hens and jakes. Although a couple of toms came within 60–70 yards, they wouldn’t fully commit to our setup.
By the end of that cold, blustery day, we packed it in without filling a tag, but we knew the season was just getting started.
Turning the Tide
Day Two brought calmer weather — and a whole lot more action. Setting up before sunrise, we were ready and hopeful. It didn’t take long. In a blink, one of us dropped a tom at just five yards after a perfect setup and some soft calling. A textbook hunt that still has us smiling.
Later that afternoon, we doubled up. After working birds in the distance and some careful calling, another tom slipped in quietly, fanned out right over the decoys, and the second tag of the season was filled. Two hunts, two great birds — and all captured on film.
It was a perfect end to an unforgettable 2024 season, and a reminder that persistence, smart setups, and good gear (those Avian-X decoys put in serious work) make all the difference when conditions aren’t perfect.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With 2025 just around the corner, the excitement is already building. We’re taking the lessons from last year — patience, readiness, and always expecting the unexpected — and gearing up for an even better season.
New strategies, new setups, and hopefully even bigger birds are on the horizon. Whether it’s the first light of opening morning or a last-chance evening hunt, we’re ready to get back into the blinds, set the decoys, and make more memories in Michigan’s turkey woods.
Stay tuned to Tines and Trails Outdoors — it’s going to be another incredible season!
