Decline of the Missouri Wild Turkey
Missouri Conservation Commission August 2021 comments.

Missouri now ranks 4th from the bottom of 30 states on Wild Turkey Population trends.
Kentucky Game and Fish just put this out in September 2021.

Missouri Conservation Commission Meeting
​Wild Turkey - July 9, 2021
 Presentation of the Wild Turkey Research in Putnam County, Missouri by Tyl Reina to the
Missouri Conservation Commission.

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​Breaking News – Missouri Conservation Commission Meeting July 9, 2021

July 9, 2021 Presentation of the Wild Turkey Research in Putnam County, Missouri by Tyl Reina to the Missouri Conservation Commission.

Missouri Turkey Hunters, Landowners, and Trappers must watch!!!!

The end of the meeting is the best part. PRESSURE is on to stop ignoring the decline Missouri Wild Turkey Decline!
 – KEEP SENDING YOUR OPINIONS!!!!
Steven Harrison – Commissioner- Rolla “We have gotten more public comments on Wild Turkey than any other issue since I been a commissioner.”

Steven Harrison – Commissioner – Rolla “My property was part of the original restoration and we only have only 20% of the Wild Turkey that we have now and the only thing we don’t do is nest predator control.”
Steven Harrison – Commissioner – “Public wants to see something”
Wm. L. (Barry) Orscheln, Columbia, Vice Chair – Echo’s Commissioner Steven Harrison and the concern about nest predators”
Don C. Bedell, Sikeston, Chair – Brings up the concerns about Feral Hogs and the effects on Wild Turkeys, which the Missouri Department of Conservation has not researched.

Listen and watch the video meeting and then Send Comments to Missouri Conservation Commission - Don Bedell, Barry Orscheln, Mark McHenry, Steven Harrison - https://mdc.mo.gov/form/commissioner-contact-form?commissioner=db
 
Missouri History – Documented by the Missouri Department of Conservation

Did you know in 1974-75 the Missouri Department of Conservation thru a simple regulation change to the bag limit reduction of 1 bird, due to poor hatch in 1973 to protect Missouri Wild Turkey Population.
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The Department’s major objective is the management of the wild turkey resource is to provide maximum hunting opportunity commensurate with the turkey population’s ability to sustain harvest.

To maintain a balance approximately 2.5 poults per hen must be produce.

When this ratio drops below 2.5 a population is decline indicated and when it goes above 2.5 an increase occurs.

The Adult / Juvenile ratio dropped in 1973 to 1:1.9 and that is what two bird limit was dropped in 1974.

1977 - Production Rate of Turkey hens – 3.88 ratio of poults per hen – Highest on record - Broods increased 88.6 over 1976
1979 – 1980 – 634,338 (2nd highest pelts sold - when average raccoon pelt values were estimated at $27.50.
 
1997 – 1998 – Over 200,000 Raccoons were trapped.
1998 – Production Rate of Turkey hens – 2.6 ratio of poults per hen.
 
2018 - 2019 – Raccoon totaled 22,562 trapped - 2016-17 – when average raccoon pelt values were estimated at $2.77
2018-19 season resulted in the lowest raccoon harvest since 1942 and the longest duration of decline in harvest numbers over the last 25 years with seven consecutive years of decline.
2021 – Lowest Wild Turkey Harvest in 24 years.

On Sept. 10, 1935, about 75 Missouri sportsmen met at a hotel in Columbia were disgusted with then the current state of the wildlife regulations controlled by the government and special interest groups.
Wild Turkey Population and Harvest as the wild turkey population grows the season expanded, but as population decline other state make a change and listen to the hunting citizens!
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Game and Fish Commission outside of Missouri.

Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina have lower limits, shortening season and other regulations changes based off Wild Turkey Declines.
Florida and Kentucky are considering in making changes.

Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approved significant changes for wild turkey hunting season dates and bag limits. The presentation covered wild turkey population declines, hunting statistics, and results from a hunter survey that produced more than 5,000 comments — an all-time high for hunter input on a proposed change.

Segment 1
​July 9, 2021 Presentation of the Wild Turkey Research in Putnam County, Missouri by Tyl Reina to the Missouri Conservation Commission.

Segment 2
July 9, 2021 Presentation of the Wild Turkey Research in Putnam County, Missouri by Tyl Reina to the Missouri Conservation Commission.

Segment 3
July 9, 2021 Presentation of the Wild Turkey Research in Putnam County, Missouri by Tyl Reina to the Missouri Conservation Commission.

Segment 4
July 9, 2021 Presentation of the Wild Turkey Research in Putnam County, Missouri by Tyl Reina to the Missouri Conservation Commission.

Segment 5 - Best Part of Entire Meeting 
​July 9, 2021 Presentation of the Wild Turkey Research in Putnam County, Missouri by Tyl Reina to the Missouri Conservation Commission.

THANK YOU!  From a Missouri Turkey Hunters, Conservationist, Landowners, and Trapper

For the First time I see concern from the Commission - since 2018 when I started writing letters to commission, doing radio interviews and website and social media about the decline of the Missouri Wild Turkey.

Thank you, three Missouri Conservation Commissioners, have acknowledge the Missouri Wild Turkey Decline and something needs done now!

Mr. Harrison Commissioner – THANK YOU

Mr. Harrison sad to hear about the decline on your property – I am down to two hens and no poults and no gobblers since 2019 – My habitat is only better and have done every recommendation that the MDC and NWTF has suggested for habitat improvement. Here is link. But Thank you for your comments in meeting.

http://www.northamericanwildlifeandhabitat.com/15-year-wild-turkey-history-in-southern-missouri.html

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


Mr. Orscheln - Vice Chair – THANK YOU.

For the First time since 2012 and 2015 letters to the commission BEGGING for more tools in my tool box to manage predators and being ignored by staff only concerned about prime fur.
 
Mr. Bedell - Chair - THANK YOU

For the First time since 2018 Brings up the concerns about Feral Hogs and the effects on Wild Turkeys, which the Missouri Department of Conservation has not researched.
 
Mr. Bedell – Thank you - NOT ONE STUDY OF WILD TURKEY IN MISSOURI – Has or will exist in 10 years of 100,000 Wild Hogs consuming food sources, 275 Elk Consuming food sources, 1,000 Black Bears Consuming Food Sources and predation of eggs, GOD only know the sheer number of Armadillos destroying turkey nest, the sheer number of predators on the modern landscape because of prices.
 
Missouri History – Documented by the Missouri Department of Conservation

Did you know in 1974-75 the Missouri Department of Conservation thru a simple regulation change to the bag limit reduction of 1 bird, due to poor hatch in 1973 to protect Missouri Wild Turkey Population.
The Department’s major objective is the management of the wild turkey resource is to provide maximum hunting opportunity commensurate with the turkey population’s ability to sustain harvest.

To maintain a balance approximately 2.5 poults per hen must be produce.

When this ratio drops below 2.5 a population is decline indicated and when it goes above 2.5 an increase occurs.

The Adult / Juvenile ratio dropped in 1973 to 1:1.9 and that is what two bird limit was dropped in 1974.

1977 - Production Rate of Turkey hens – 3.88 ratio of poults per hen – Highest on record - Broods increased 88.6 over 1976.
1979 – 1980 – 634,338 (2nd highest pelts sold - when average raccoon pelt values were estimated at $27.50.
 
1997 – 1998 – Over 200,000 Raccoons were trapped.
1998 – Production Rate of Turkey hens – 2.6 ratio of poults per hen.
 
2018 - 2019 – Raccoon totaled 22,562 trapped - 2016-17 – when average raccoon pelt values were estimated at $2.77
2018-19 season resulted in the lowest raccoon harvest since 1942 and the longest duration of decline in harvest numbers over the last 25 years with seven consecutive years of decline.
2021 – Lowest Wild Turkey Harvest in 24 years.

On Sept. 10, 1935, about 75 Missouri sportsmen met at a hotel in Columbia were disgusted with then the current state of the wildlife regulations controlled by the government and special interest groups.
Wild Turkey Population and Harvest as the wild turkey population grows the season expanded, but as population decline other state make a change and listen to the hunting citizens!
​
Game and Fish Commission outside of Missouri.
Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina have lower limits, shortening season and other regulations changes based off Wild Turkey Declines.
Florida and Kentucky are considering in making changes.
Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approved significant changes for wild turkey hunting season dates and bag limits. The presentation covered wild turkey population declines, hunting statistics, and results from a hunter survey that produced more than 5,000 comments — an all-time high for hunter input on a proposed change.


MY OPINION - Regulation Changes that CAN and WILL make a difference.

I watched every presentation on Wild Turkeys, read every article on wild turkey.

The STAFF presents all factors in a box by itself. They never combined factors together to increase population, increase quality of hunting and increase more hunters.
Example - Trapping with No Hen Harvest.
Example – Trapping with Moving Youth Season
Example – Trapping with limit on spring season
Example - Trapping with No Hen Harves, Moving Youth Season, Limit on Spring Season
 
1. ALL hens are in every Season protected - No Archery, No Fall Hens, No Bearded Hens.
WILD TURKEY HENS Breakdown - STOP KILLING HEN IN MISSOURI – They keep saying number of hens killed do not matter to the population, I say – DEAD HENS DON’T LAY EGGS - If they cannot replace themselves in the short term or long term RIGHT NOW per MDC 5-year search - dead hen definably will not.
 
2. Furbearer Season Extend to February 29 - Stop letting 40 fur buyers, decide the season.
PREDATORS Breakdown
 
1940 – 1941 – 834,935 pelts harvested (most pelts sold) (over 70% were opossum and skunk pelts) most pelts sold
1945 – 1946 – Missouri Fur Dealer Permits 1,192
1979 – 1980 – 634,338 (2nd highest pelts sold - when average raccoon pelt values were estimated at $27.50.
1997 – 1998 – Over 200,000 Raccoons trapped.
1980 – 1981 – 13,248 trapping permits sold in the state of Missouri (Highest Number)
2011/2012 - 158,356 Raccoons sold.
2019 - MDC issued 41 Fur Buyer Permits
2018 - 2019 – 6,956 trapping permits sold in the state of Missouri
2018 - 2019 – Raccoon totaled 22,562 trapped
2018-19 season resulted in the lowest raccoon “22,562” harvest since 1942 and the longest duration of decline in harvest numbers over the last 25 years with seven consecutive years of decline
2018- 2019 – Opossum harvest totaled 593 lowest opossum harvest on record.
2018- 2019 – Skunk also resulted in the lowest Skunk harvest since 2000-01 only 156.
2018 – 2019 - Coyote population appears to be on a slight increase since the 1970s
2018 -2019 Bobcat season was down 28.40% from 2017-18 The decline in harvest and in the number of bobcat pelts purchased by fur dealers also is likely attributed to a poor global fur market.
 
3. Landowner’s furbearers are open year-round. WE own 93% of the land. Use the Arkansas Regulations
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.”
 
4. Youth Season move to weekend before regular season opens.
YOUTH SEASON Breakdown
You cannot kill 72,264 Gobblers and call it Biological Sound!! Cannot have it both ways.
MISSOURI YOUTH SEASON GOES AGAINST THE VERY BIOLOGICAL REASON FOR THE DAY THE SEASON OPENS - The season opens Monday closest to April 21st. This corresponds to the historical records of the second peak Missouri Ozark Gobbling. This is the biological reason for the opening day.
Which may lead to the great successes in turkey population because the hens get to breed with the dominate birds with the first peak gobbling.
So Biological Reason no longer exist - Why not open the season the SATURDAY AND SUNDAY before the Monday closets to April 21st for Biological Reason!
 
5. Move back to a Two-Week Season – 1 Gobbler Limit until goal is reestablished. The Missouri Department of Conservation - No.1 goal for Missouri Wild Turkey is Quality Turkey Hunting. - Lots of adult gobbling birds.
 
6. Take the Armadillo off the Non-Native List and put them on Invasive Species list they are documented on camera destroying wild turkey nest while looking for bugs under the nest. They bulldoze thru and destroy eggs and lick up the yoke. The Armadillos are a threat to all ground nesting birds in Missouri – Wild Turkey, Quail, and Whip-poor-wills.
 
​Let me be perfectly clear – Lot more could be and should be done – This is the starter list – But NOT One by itself will matter this is going to be a complicated solution for a complicated problem – Doing nothing is not a solution – SEE past 5, 10, 20 years as proof of that!!!

2022 Season - 25th Anniversary of the 3 Week Missouri Wild Turkey Season
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MISSOURI WILD TURKEY HANDOUT
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THE STATE OF THE MISSOURI WILD TURKEY 

15 Year History of Wild Turkeys in Southern Missouri
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THE RISE AND FALL OF THE MISSOURI WILD TURKEY
Missouri Wild Turkey Mecca Rest in Peace
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​2021 Spring Missouri Wild Turkey Season now holds the record of the worse season in 24-year history of a three-week season in Missouri.
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MISSOURI WILD TURKEY HUNTERS - LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
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Missouri Wild Turkey Harvest Records
Harvest, Youth Harvest, Permits, Non-Resident Permits, etc. etc. etc.
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History from 1st thru 11th -  Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium
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Missouri Wild Turkey Conservation
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Missouri Wild Turkey Research
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MISSOURI REAL WORLD VS MDC MYTHBUSTERS
 

MISSOURI QUAIL AND WILD TURKEY HAVE SAME PREDATORS