2021 Spring Missouri Wild Turkey Season now holds the record of the worst season in 24-year history of a three-week season in Missouri
Missouri Wild Turkey Hunters in three weeks are now barely killing more Turkeys than the two-week season in 1997.
1998 Spring season extended from two to three weeks - WOW as the wild turkey population grows the season expanded, but as population decline nothing allowed to change!
Missouri Spring Season – History of totals
2021 – Turkeys 34,593 – Lowest Harvest in History of 3-week Season
2020 – Turkeys 41,458 – Covid – 9,000 more permits – Other States Closed hunting to Non-Residents.
2019 – Turkeys 38,776 – 3rd Lowest Harvest in History of the 3-week Season
2018 – Turkeys 35,787 – 2nd Lowest Harvest in History of the 3-week Season
2017 – Turkeys 43,356
2016 – Turkeys 48,374
2015 – Turkeys 48,432
2014 – Turkeys 47,601
2013 – Turkeys 46,141
2012 – Turkeys 44,766
2011 – Turkeys 42,220
2010 – Turkeys 46,194
2009 – Turkeys 44,713
2008 – Turkeys 46,134
2007 – Turkeys 48,472
2006 – Turkeys 54,712
2005 – Turkeys 57,743
2004 – Turkeys 60,744 - Most Turkeys ever killed
2003 – Turkeys 58,421
2002 - Turkeys 53,932
2001 - Turkeys 55,302
2000 - Turkeys 56,841
1999 - Turkeys 50,299
1998 - Turkeys 48,462
1997 - Turkeys 33,216 - Two Week Season
Missouri Hunters and Several Media Outlets are no longer buying the excuse fromt he MDC
1000's of online comments from numerouss pages runs about
85% change in regulations are needed
to
15% support no change.
Take the the Daily American Republic Poll
Should the Missouri Department of Conservation continue its current course of action in wild turkey management, or should it make hunting season and regulation changes in an effort to potentially boost turkey populations?
www.darnews.com/poll/13111
Multiple Petitions have started to change regulations to Missouri Turkey Season
https://www.change.org/p/national-wild-turkey-federation-missouri-turkey-population/sign
https://www.thepetitionsite.com/316/528/994/missouri-turkey-hunting-regulation-change/
Missouri Department of Conservation official Press Release
The STATE AGENCY - BLAMES THE LACK OF HUNTERS
The news release has no mention of the 2020 season reasons!
or
The new 24 year lowest harvest in history of the 3 week season.
or
The research and quotes from MDC Biologist
"Harvest rates are closely correlated to population numbers."
2021 – Turkeys 34,593 – Lowest Harvest in History of 3-week Season
2020 – Turkeys 41,458 – Covid – 9,000 more permits over 2019 season
Other States Closed hunting to Non-Residents.
Missouri Department of Conservation – News Release - 05/10/2021
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that turkey hunters checked 31,798 birds during Missouri’s 2021 regular spring turkey season, April 19 through May 9. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 710 birds telechecked, Texas with 666, and Callaway with 639.
Young turkey hunters also harvested 2,795 birds over the youth weekend, April 10 and 11, bringing the overall 2021 spring turkey harvest to 34,593.
Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 2,724 birds during the spring youth season and hunters harvested 38,734 during the regular spring season for a 2020 spring season total harvest of 41,458 birds.
“Spring turkey harvest was down this year, which can partially be explained by a decline in hunting participation,” said MDC Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl. “Last year we saw a big increase in the number of permits sold and there was a subsequent increase in turkey harvest. This year, the permit sales total was closer to what was observed before the 2020 season. When turkey hunting participation declines, we expect to see a subsequent decline in turkey harvest.”
MDC had one report of a non-fatal hunting incident during the 2021 spring turkey season.
13 DAYS EARLIER
Same Biologist
Summary
of the
Game Camera 15 Year History of Wild Turkeys on 84 acres in Bollinger County, Missouri
2007 thru 2021
84 acres of Oak/Hickory Forest of Closed Canopy in Southeast Missouri changed over time to Quality Habitat that includes – Soil Improvements, High Forage Food Plots, Timber Cuts, Timber Stand Improvements, Edge feathering, Prescribed Fires, Addition of multiple watering sources, Shrub and Tree Plantings.
Combined photos contain 1,738 Wild Turkeys spending 556 Days in the last 15 years on the property
April 28, 2021
Dear Mr. Morris,
Thank you for writing to express your concerns about the wild turkey population in your area. I would like to respond to your inquiry on behalf of Commissioner Don Bedell.
We recognize that turkey numbers are down in your area, as they are in much of the state. Turkey abundance appears to be driven primarily by production, and unfortunately, turkey production in Missouri has exhibited a declining trend over the past several decades and has been especially poor in recent years. Even though the turkey population in your area is lower than it once was, there are enough turkeys for the population to rebound given "SEVERAL YEARS" of good production.
I sincerely appreciate your interest in the well-being of your local turkey population. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
Best regards,
Reina M. Tyl
Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse Biologist
Missouri Department of Conservation
Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center
3500 East Gans Road, Columbia, MO 65201
SEARCH FOR ANSWERS IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
Wild Turkey research in Putnam County, Missouri on the Iowa Border that will decide the entire Southern Missouri Turkey Policy
Your typical Missouri Landowner where the study is going on - 2,800 acre Working ranch with frontage on Lake Thunderhead. It is currently used for recreational hunting and agriculture farmland. This ranch includes a 4,300 square foot lodge and multiple equipment barns. The property contains over 500 acres of CRP and 150 acres of year round food plots. The rolling hills, timber and grassland intersected by a large network of gravel roads and is heavily trapped for predators, Raccoons, etc.
Over a 20-year period, turkey populations in the state have declined at a worrisome rate, and researchers want to know why.
https://www.nwtf.org/conservation/article/in-search-of-answers
Read the entire Article at link above: But none of this was part of the 2021 News Release on Spring Turkey Harvest or has ever been published by the MDC.
Highlight you should note:
NO. 1 - In just under two decades, however, the population has plummeted by more than a third of its former glory based upon harvest data. In north Missouri, the turkey harvest has declined by almost 50 percent compared to 2004, and harvest rates are closely correlated to population numbers.
NO. 2 - A five-year study that wrapped up in 2019 concluded that poult survival was far less than normal rates.
NO. 3 - John Burk, NWTF biologist for Missouri - But there isn’t a simple regulatory fix to the problem
NO. 4 - Putnam County
NO. 4 - While population trends have been dire for nearly 20 years
Wild Turkey Hens in Missouri are no longer replacing itself short term or possibly in itself lifetime.
https://sportsmensnation.com/podcasters/missouri-woods-water
This is a great podcast and expose more of the truth.
When will Missouri Wake Up!
Arkansas Biologist and Arkansas Commission
"To boost their quail and turkey numbers.”
Have written the MDC regulations committee and Missouri Conservation Commission multiple times.
93% of Missouri is Privately Owned.
https://www.agfc.com/en/news/2019/07/25/commission-expands-furbearer-trapping-and-hunting-opportunities-on-private-lands/
A new free Predator-Control Permit also will be available to private landowners, which will let permit holders shoot or trap bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, opossum, raccoon and striped skunk day or night.
This permit will be available by late August to enable more opportunity to control these species on private land.
Commission Chair Ken Reeves of Harrison and Commissioner Stan Jones of Walnut Ridge explained that the goal of the regulations was not to eliminate any of these species on a statewide basis.
“I think everyone knows that the reason we’re doing this is we simply don’t have people trapping and hunting raccoons and opossums like we did many years ago because the pelts aren’t worth much,”
Reeves said. “We’re trying to fill that gap by letting private landowners reduce these predators on their property to try to boost their quail and turkey numbers.”
HABITAT - HABITAT - HABITAT
Some people keep pointing to the loss of Habitat as reason for turkey decline in Missouri!
I say that is one of the least factors of the decline. My opinion.
My own little paradise Habitat is 1000% better than 15 years ago and challenge ANY person in the world it prove me wrong.
My habitat improvement in 15 years.
2007 Close Canopy Oak/Hickory Forest one water source
Soil Improvments - 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021
Food Plots added - 2008 and maintain, 2012 one added all with different plantings thru 2021
Water Sources added - 2008 and one added 2012 giving a total of 3
Tree Plantings - 2009,2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018
Shrub Plantings – 2010
15 Acre Timber Harvest - 2010 and 2019
Timber Stand Improvment - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
Edge Feathings - 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Rotating Areas of Prescribed Fires - 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Habitat both for Turkey and Deer have only gotten better over 15 years, Brood Habitat has increased, Nesting Habitat has increased, Fawning cover has increased.
Deer Population Survey has gone from 18 in 2012 to 54 in 2019
From 3 to 4 fawns upto 15 fawns and even triplets.
People that know my property are aware of this truth!
How can Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky etc. etc. all these States have Habitat loss at the same time over entire states.
But for argument’s sake. How can Missouri for the last 15 to 20 years of having Private Land Conservationist who I have had contact with 5 since its conception.
Either that is a failure, or it is a success.
QDMA - Gave MDC PLC's a deer Steward class which is management of Habitat.
The NWTF Missouri motto Save the Habitat - Save the Hunt and collect millions of Missouri Citizens dollars.
They even have seed they sell to landowners.
Even had volunteers at one time providing Habitat information to landowner and Missouri had two of the top 5 in the nation.
Missouri has its own NWTF Biologist providing landowner help.
Prescribed Fires are pushed by every Conservation Group and MDC provides classes.
Quail Conservation groups which push the same Habitat in Missouri
All these federal government programs for landowners. CRP etc.
MDC in May of 2021 Commission Meeting - Reports that they harvest timber sales year average 10 to 12 million board feet.
Either all that is a failure or it a success and they all exist in every state.
Why do the so-called experts and Biologist never mentioned the above list of items when they say it's landowner fault for habitat loss?
