Missouri Department of Conservation Releases Turkey Hunting Numbers

The Missouri Department of Conservation says hunters checked 2,219 birds during Missouri’s fall firearms turkey season which wrapped up Tuesday. Top harvest counties were all in the listening area as Dent County was on top with 86 birds harvested, Crawford County was second with 82 birds and third was Washington County turkey hunters who checked in 72 birds. The harvest this fall season was up a few hundred compared to last season when 1,844 turkeys were harvested. Fall archery turkey hunting continues now through Friday, November 10th. That season will then take a break for firearms deer season but archery turkey hunting will resume November 22nd and wrap up January 15th.

The M.D.C. is also again asking turkey hunters to save and send feathers from their turkeys they harvest this fall. You can mail turkey feathers by using a postage-paid envelope from the MDC. The feathers will help  scientists improve research models used to monitor turkey population trends and estimate turkey numbers across the state. Turkey hunters should save the 9th and 10th primary wing feathers and 3 to 5 breast feathers after telechecking your bird. For a feather submission form, go to mdc.mo.gov.