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Wild Webcast: Wild Turkeys in MO – June 29, 2021 

​Listen and watch the video 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

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.

It is amazing how they only look at one issue by itself, when presenting to public not all above approach or even data is never given.

THE BEST Quote from this video: MDC Biologist - Fewer Individuals being added to the population.


NO. 1 - WILD WEBCAST - VIDEO TOPIC – WHAT FACTOR INFLUENCE PRODUCTION.

FACTS: - That Matter but not mentioned

Wild Turkey Population and Harvest as the wild turkey population grows the season expanded, but as population decline nothing allowed to change!

EVERY ISSUE they bring up is taken by itself – Not one time do they tie them all together.

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.

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.
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.
2020 – Production Rate of Turkey Hens – 1.0 ratio of poults per hen.
Right NOW in Missouri just one furbearer and one of the predators - PREDATION DURNING NESTING/BROOD-REARING ACTIVITES CAUSED THE MOST HENS DEATHS that by itself may not matter but with multiple factors are causing REDUCTION IN HENS HAVE REDUCE RECRUITMENT AND TOTAL TURKEY NUMBERS FURTHER AND PROLONG THE RECOVER FROM POOR PRODUCTION THAN WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WITHOUT FALL HUNTING.
 
Missouri Furbearer Report Pelts Sold Raccoon 633,000 plus left on landscape.
2007/08 - 118,166
2008/09 - 109,088          
2009/10 - 47,919            
2010/11 - 109,586          
​2011/12 - 158,356
2012/13 - 138,865          
2013/14 - 134,715          
2014/15 - 85,497            
2015/16 - 34,758            
2016/17 - 32,106            
2017/18 - 26,340            
2018/19 - 22,562


NO. 2 - WILD WEBCAST - VIDEO TOPIC – MISSOURI WILD TURKEY RESEARCH - Putnam County, Missouri – Iowa Border - near Unionville, Mo.

FACTS: - That Matter but not mentioned

SAME - Wild Turkey Research is 105 miles apart.
1st is Putnam County, Missouri along the Iowa Border - Unionville, Mo.
2nd in Louisa County, Iowa along the Mississippi. - Wapello, Iowa

Nowhere is there an area in north Missouri of (15,000 ac) that is 70% timbered. Corn and soybean fields more than make up for the lack of trees and turkey densities in the northern part of the state are much higher than in the more heavily forested parts of south Missouri.


Past - Missouri Wild Turkey Biologist in Give Warning.

Turkey populations in the northern regions of the state, on average, appear to have the potential to produce greater numbers of poults and, consequently, obtain and maintain higher densities than turkey populations in the eastern Missouri Ozarks.
MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
Biologists are sometimes forced to use data obtained from short-term, localized studies to model populations on large geographic areas. Often, the results obtained during these modeling efforts do not reflect actual changes in the population.
​These types of problems are evident when comparing similar research between northern and southern Missouri. Obviously, average reproductive potential differs substantially between the 2 regions.

NOT ONE STUDY OF WILD TURKEY IN MISSOURI – Has or will exist in past 5 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.


NO. 3 - WILD WEBCAST - VIDEO TOPIC – FALL HARVEST – MISSOURI FALL HARVEST HAS NO IMPACT.

FACTS: - That Matter but not mentioned

If it has no impact on population then why do 7 counties in Missouri have a closed fall turkey season preventing more hunting opportunities – can’t have it both ways.

Wild Turkey Population and Harvest as the wild turkey population grows the season expanded, but as population decline nothing allowed to change!

I guess by itself it does not – Add in new predators, old predators, and new food consumers it does!!!

10,000 more bird in 5 years – Laying how many more eggs. But instead, a DEAD BIRD lays no eggs.
Would not answer this question – How many more exist with more trapping and no hen fall season!!!

2016 MDC Biologist is quoted as 300,000 to 350,000 – Current MDC Biologist says we has 7 years of decline.

Past Wild Turkey Research has a different conclusion.

Fall hunting would not affect turkey populations IF FALL HUNTING MORTALITY IS COMPENSATORY that is, if there is a compensating increase in survival during other periods of the year to offset fall hunting, or if birds shot by fall hunters would have died anyway to some other agent. NEITHER OF THESE SITUATION EXISTED DURING THIS STUDY. AVERAGE ANNUAL SURVIVAL RATES OF ALL AGE-SEX CLASSES DECLINED AFTER FALL HUNTERS WAS INTRODUCED.
 
This implies that fall hunting may affect future turkey populations. SHOOTHING ADULT TURKEYS IN POOR PRODUCTION YEARS MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF HENS AVAILABLE TO NEST as well as reduce gobbler numbers available to hunters. A REDUCTION IN HENS COULD REDUCE RECRUITMENT AND TOTAL TURKEY NUMBERS FURTHER AND PROLONG THE RECOVER FROM POOR PRODUCTION THAN WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WITHOUT FALL HUNTING

NO. 4 - WILD WEBCAST - VIDEO TOPIC – OTHER STATES WILD TURKEY DECLINE

FACTS: - That Matter but not mentioned.

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!
​
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.


NO. 5 - WILD WEBCAST - VIDEO TOPIC - WHAT ABOUT REDUCING THE SPRING BAG LIMIT!

MDC QUOTE - “Very few hunters harvest two turkeys during the spring season,” “Only about five-percent of spring turkey hunters fill their second tag.

MDC QUOTE - - "Therefore, if we reduced the bag limit in the spring to one turkey, it would take away considerable hunting opportunity and would have little impact on the overall number of turkeys harvested.”

So 6,000 Wild Turkey would be added but that does not matter.

FACTS: - That Matter but not mentioned.

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.

Exploitation vs Conservation. - 6,000 Wild Turkey would be added

Perspective: Missouri Wild Turkey Numbers are in the Gutter – Hunting them more to provided “Hunting Opportunity” is exploitation and not conservation.


History proves otherwise

Did you know in 1974 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.
Here is what responsible Missouri Wild Turkey Management looks like this article is full of great information on every page. Should be republished today “AS IS”
Missouri Formula for Wild Turkey – Why is hunting so good in Missouri.
“We have formulated regulations to provide ample hunting and viewing opportunities WITHOUT IMPACTING POPULATION GROWTH”
https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mdcd7/magazine/2010/03/3279_digital.pdf
 
You will want to look at the Graphic on Page 11

What’s NOT in the article.
What happened in 1973 - 500-Year Flood - Missouri's final damage assessment was $396 million.
In addition to figures for total damage, estimates for acreage damaged by this year's flooding were also reported. According to the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) in Missouri, about 3 million acres were damaged by flooding Missouri Counties Declared Federal Disaster Areas.
Missouri's corn production in 1993 was projected to be 42 percent less than 1992's crop.
Missouri’s soybeans production 1993 was projected to be 22 percent less than 1992's crop.
Since 1974 – Missouri Poor Hatch/Wild Turkey Population Decline has been ignored by simple regulation changes over Hunting Opportunity and Hunter Recruitment, while Trapping Opportunity and Trapper Recruitment has been ignored.

1973 - 13 Day Season - First Two Bird Bag Limit - 63 Counties Open - The overall harvest in 1973 increased 29 percent, and the second bird in the bag accounted for 14 percent of the increase.
The bag limit was reduced to one in 1974 and the harvest dropped 12 percent.

While the population is in decline Five Percent could have been added each of the past years to the population for next year providing additional breeding opportunity or taking pressure off hens being targeted by predators, while increasing the population for next season.
​
I thought “Only about five-percent of spring turkey hunters fill their second tag.” If it’s ONLY 5 percent, then how does hunting opportunity overshadow turkey conservation.


MDC Mythbusters: Missouri’s Turkey Population
Missouri Department of Consevation New Release
June 23, 2021

Picture

MDC Mythbusters: Missouri’s turkey population MDC Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl tells all on Missouri’s wild turkey numbers.
​

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Interested in learning more about Missouri’s wild turkey population? Curious how fall harvest is affecting turkeys? The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Wild Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl is myth-busting and shedding light on wild turkey population trends for hunters, landowners, and managers.

WHY AM I SEEING FEWER TURKEYS ON THE LANDSCAPE?

“The number of turkeys we see is driven primarily by production, not survival or harvest of adult turkeys,” explained Tyl. “Production refers to the number of new young turkeys, or poults, that are added into the turkey population each summer. One of the main objectives of MDC’s annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey is to calculate a poult-to-hen ratio, which provides an index for how good production was that year. When we see greater poult-to-hen ratios, turkey numbers tend to increase or stabilize. When we see poor production, turkey numbers tend to decrease.”

According to Tyl, turkey numbers have not only been declining in Missouri over the last several decades, but also in neighboring states.

“Several factors have contributed to this long-term declining trend in production that we and other states across the eastern wild turkey’s range are observing,” she said. “Loss of quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat, changing weather, an increase in predators, and potentially lower insect abundance are likely all playing a role.”

Tyl said the best way to increase turkey numbers is to provide the habitat turkeys need to nest successfully and that also provides broods with quality forage. Planting native warm-season grasses and wildflowers, prescribed burning, edge feathering, timber stand improvement, and woodland restoration are some of the best ways to improve nesting and brood-rearing habitat.
“Quality habitat will provide everything a hen and her brood needs – food, water, and shelter from bad weather and predators,” said Tyl.

WOULD ELIMINATING FALL HEN HARVEST HELP NUMBERS?

MDC biologists looked at how Missouri turkey numbers would respond to more conservative fall hunting regulations, such as reduced bag limits, shorter seasons, prohibiting hen harvest, and even closing the fall turkey seasons entirely.
“What we’ve found is that if we closed the fall seasons entirely, being the most conservative scenario, turkey numbers would not substantially increase and would continue to decline in some parts of Missouri,” Tyl said. “We projected what we could expect turkey abundance to be five years into the future using our most recent estimates of survival and reproductive rates under two scenarios. The first scenario was what future turkey abundance would be under the current fall harvest rate of about one-percent and the second scenario was projected turkey abundance under a fall harvest rate of zero-percent – which is what we could expect if we closed the fall seasons. Future turkey abundance declined under both scenarios and was not significantly greater under the no fall harvest scenario.”
Tyl added more conservative fall regulations would result in fewer hunting opportunities without stabilizing or increasing turkey numbers.

WHAT ABOUT REDUCING THE SPRING BAG LIMIT?

“Very few hunters harvest two turkeys during the spring season,” said Tyl. “Only about five-percent of spring turkey hunters fill their second tag. Therefore, if we reduced the bag limit in the spring to one turkey, it would take away considerable hunting opportunity and would have little impact on the overall number of turkeys harvested.”

WHAT ABOUT INCENTIVIZING REMOVAL OF TURKEY PREDATORS?

Tyl explained some populations of wild turkey predators have increased over the past few decades, and there have been an increasing number of requests to extend furbearer trapping and hunting opportunities.

“The current furbearer season structure provides ample opportunity to harvest furbearers during a time when furbearer pelts are of the most value,” Tyl said. “The current trapping season runs from Nov. 15 – Jan. 31, providing 2.5 months of opportunity to folks who would like to harvest furbearers. However, we continue to receive requests to adjust both the timing and length of the furbearer hunting and trapping season.”

As a result of the requests from a diverse group of stakeholders and expanding furbearer populations, MDC plans to review seasons to determine if any changes should be made to season length, timing, or both. During the review, MDC will consider furbearer populations, trapping opportunity, pelt prime-ness, and the desire of multiple user groups, including the potential for conflict with other seasons.
Tyl said although some studies have shown that intensive, small-scale nest predator removal can improve short-term turkey nest success in localized areas, it’s difficult to implement intensive trapping that will improve nest success on a large scale.

“Some folks have suggested implementing a bounty to encourage people to trap turkey nest predators; however, bounty systems can be costly and rarely have a measurable impact on reducing predator populations in a way that translates to a benefit for other species,” Tyl said.
While bounty systems may increase the reported take of various predators, there is often ample opportunity for fraud. Individuals may harvest animals from outside the bounty zone or collect and turn in roadkill for bounty payments. A better alternative to predator bounties would be to direct that money into habitat improvements.

“There have been broad-scale losses of quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat as herbaceous habitats, or land with grasses and non-woody plants and flowers, have been developed into agricultural lands,” she said. “In Missouri’s more forested areas, forest maturation due to a lack of active timber management has led to an abundance of closed-canopy forests that prevent the growth of herbaceous vegetation in the understory, which provides food and cover for turkeys. This has created a landscape that makes it easier for predators to locate and destroy turkey nests and that has fewer forb-dominated areas that are loaded with insects for poults.”

Tyl added that not all grasslands are created equal when it comes to brood-rearing habitat.
“Fescue-dominated fields might look like good turkey habitat, but the reality is that dense fescue is very difficult for young poults to move through,” she said. “Areas dominated by native warm season grasses and forbs have enough bare ground in between clumps of plants to facilitate easy poult movement while providing enough cover to conceal poults from predators.”

Tyl explained by improving wild turkey nesting and brooding habitat, landowners and managers can create a landscape that helps turkeys, their nests, and poults avoid predation and improve their odds of successfully producing more turkeys.

“While we can’t control the weather, we can control the habitat,” she stressed. “More than 95-percent of Missouri land is privately-owned. MDC works with landowners and managers to improve wildlife habitat, including for wild turkeys.”

For more information on improving land for wildlife, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/your-property/improve-your-property.

For more on Missouri’s wild turkey population and MDC management efforts, register for MDC’s Wild Webcast on “Wild Turkeys in Missouri: Population Trends and MDC Management June 29 at noon at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHk.

Learn more about wild turkeys in Missouri from the MDC online Field Guide at https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/wild-turkey.
​
PHOTO: Missouri’s wild turkey population has been declining in recent decades, but MDC Wild Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl says the best way to help increase numbers is improving nesting and brooding habitat.


MISSOURI REAL WORLD vs MISSOURI MYTHBUSTERS
​

NO. 1

MDC MYTHBUSTERS -  WOULD ELIMINATING FALL HEN HARVEST HELP NUMBERS?

Picture

EFFECTS OF FALL EITHER-SEX HUNTING ON SURVIVAL

Survival rates and patterns we observed before the initiation of fall hunting were not unusual.

Annual survival rates were >50% for adult turkeys. Spring hunting caused the greatest mortality in males, and a combination of illegal spring hunting and
PREDATION DURNING NESTING/BROOD-REARING ACTIVITES CAUSED THE MOST HENS DEATHS.
 
Juveniles of both sexes were exposed to heavier predation during the fall than adults were, and
to legal and illegal hunting-related mortality during the spring-hunting season, but annual
survival rates were not greatly different for juveniles and adults of either sex.
 
Reported similar annual or seasonal mortality rates, patterns, or causes of death for radio-tagged eastern turkeys Missouri.

The fall-to-spring survival rates we observed for AM suggest that fall hunting may reduce the number of gobblers available to spring hunters, i.e., most AM shot in the fall would otherwise be alive the following spring.
 
Fall hunting would not affect turkey populations IF FALL HUNTING MORTALITY IS COMPENSATORY that is, if there is a compensating increase in survival during other periods of the year to offset fall hunting, or if birds shot by fall hunters would have died anyway to some other agent. NEITHER OF THESE SITUATION EXISTED DURING THIS STUDY. AVERAGE ANNUAL SURVIVAL RATES OF ALL AGE-SEX CLASSES DECLINED AFTER FALL HUNTERS WAS INTRODUCED.
 
This implies that fall hunting may affect future turkey populations. SHOOTHING ADULT TURKEYS IN POOR PRODUCTION YEARS MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF HENS AVAILABLE TO NEST as well as reduce gobbler numbers available to hunters. A REDUCTION IN HENS COULD REDUCE RECRUITMENT AND TOTAL TURKEY NUMBERS FURTHER AND PROLONG THE RECOVER FROM POOR PRODUCTION THAN WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WITHOUT FALL HUNTING.



Perspective: Missouri Wild Turkey Numbers are in the Gutter – Hunting them more to provided “Hunting Opportunity” is exploitation and not conservation.

NO. 2

​MDC MYTHBUSTERS - ​WHAT ABOUT REDUCING THE SPRING BAG LIMIT?

BREAKING NEWS –
​Missouri will reduce bag limit of Spring Wild Turkey due to poor hatch.

Did you know in 1974 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.

Here is what responsible Missouri Wild Turkey Management looks like this article is full of great information on every page. Should be republished today “AS IS”

Missouri Formula for Wild Turkey – Why is hunting so good in Missouri.

“We have formulated regulations to provide ample hunting and viewing opportunities WITHOUT IMPACTING POPULATION GROWTH”


https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mdcd7/magazine/2010/03/3279_digital.pdf

You will want to look at the Graphic on Page 11

What’s NOT in the article.

What happened in 1973 - 500-Year Flood - Missouri's final damage assessment was $396 million.

In addition to figures for total damage, estimates for acreage damaged by this year's flooding were also reported. According to the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) in Missouri, about 3 million acres were damaged by flooding Missouri Counties Declared Federal Disaster Areas.

Missouri's corn production in 1993 was projected to be 42 percent less than 1992's crop.

Missouri’s soybeans production 1993 was projected to be 22 percent less than 1992's crop.

Since 1974 – Missouri Poor Hatch/Wild Turkey Population Decline has been ignored by simple regulation changes over Hunting Opportunity and Hunter Recruitment, while Trapping Opportunity and Trapper Recruitment has been ignored.

Picture

History proves otherwise

1973 - 13 Day Season - First Two Bird Bag Limit - 63 Counties Open - The overall harvest in 1973 increased 29 percent, and the second bird in the bag accounted for 14 percent of the increase.

The bag limit was reduced to one in 1974 and the harvest dropped 12 percent.
 

Exploitation vs Conservation

Perspective: Missouri Wild Turkey Numbers are in the Gutter – Hunting them more to provided “Hunting Opportunity” is exploitation and not conservation.
 
MDC MYTHBUSTERS - “Very few hunters harvest two turkeys during the spring season,” said Tyl. “Only about five-percent of spring turkey hunters fill their second tag.

OR

Missouri Real World - While the population is in decline Five Percent could have been added each of the past years to the population for next year providing additional breeding opportunity or taking pressure off hens being targeted by predators, while increasing the population for next season.


 
MDC MYTHBUSTERS - ​"Therefore, if we reduced the bag limit in the spring to one turkey, it would take away considerable hunting opportunity and would have little impact on the overall number of turkeys harvested.”

BUT

Missouri Real World - I thought “Only about five-percent of spring turkey hunters fill their second tag.” If it’s ONLY 5 percent, then how does hunting opportunity over shadow turkey conservation. 

NO. 3

MDC MYTHBUSTERS - ​WHAT ABOUT INCENTIVIZING REMOVAL OF TURKEY PREDATORS?

Picture

MDC MythBusters “The current trapping season runs from November 15 thru January 31 providing 2.5 months of opportunity to folks who would like to harvest furbearers.

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.

2020 – Production Rate of Turkey Hens – 1.0 ratio of poults per hen.

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.

Missouri Real World – What’s going on November 15 thru January 31 that would limit landowner’s opportunity to allow individuals on property or limit individual opportunity from trapping furbearers for 2.5 months.


First only 7,000 permit trappers exist in the state of Missouri
2018 - 2019 – 6,956 trapping permits sold in the state of Missouri to cover 44.6 million acres. You do the math!

NOT MUCH REALLY – ROFLMAO –

Deer Season = Example of the year 2020 –
November 14 thru 24 – Main Firearms Season – 11 Days
November 27 thru 29 – Youth Season – 3 Days
December 26 thru January 5 – Alternative Methods Season – 11 Days
December 4 thru December 6 – Firearms Antler Only Season – 3 Days
November 25 thru January 15 – Archery Season – 52 Days
15 days exist without deer season during trapping season.
Only 500,000 people in Missouri Deer Hunt.

Waterfowl
Middle Zone – November 19 thru January 31
South Zone – November 26 thru 29 and December 7 thru 31
South Zone – Youth Days – November 21 thru November 22
Snow Geese – November 11 thru February 6
0 days exist without Waterfowl Season

Rabbit Season
October 1 thru February 15
0 Days exist without Rabbit Season

Quail and Pheasant Season
November 1 thru January 15
15 days exist without Quail Season


Picture

Right NOW in Missouri just one furbearer and one of the predators -  PREDATION DURNING NESTING/BROOD-REARING ACTIVITES CAUSED THE MOST HENS DEATHS that by itself may not matter but with mutliple factors are causing REDUCTION IN HENS HAVE REDUCE RECRUITMENT AND TOTAL TURKEY NUMBERS FURTHER AND PROLONG THE RECOVER FROM POOR PRODUCTION THAN WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WITHOUT FALL HUNTING.

Missouri Furbearer Report Pelts Sold Raccoon 633,000 plus left on landscape
2007/08 - 118,166
2008/09 - 109,088           
2009/10 - 47,919             
2010/11 - 109,586           
​2011/12 - 158,356
2012/13 - 138,865           
2013/14 - 134,715           
2014/15 - 85,497             
2015/16 - 34,758             
2016/17 - 32,106             
2017/18 - 26,340             
2018/19 - 22,562     
        

Picture

2022 Season - 25th Anniversary of the 3 Week Missouri Wild Turkey Season
​

MISSOURI WILD TURKEY HANDOUT
​

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
​

​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.
​

MISSOURI WILD TURKEY HUNTERS - LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
​

Missouri Wild Turkey Harvest Records
Harvest, Youth Harvest, Permits, Non-Resident Permits, etc. etc. etc.
​

History from 1st thru 11th -  Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium
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Missouri Wild Turkey Conservation
​

Missouri Wild Turkey Research
​


MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
​

MISSOURI QUAIL AND WILD TURKEY HAVE SAME PREDATORS

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