Missouri Wild Turkey Conservation
The Wild Turkey in Missouri published in 1988 revised in 1993
It's too bad that Money / Hunting Opportunity has taken over Wildlife Conservation of the Wild Turkey and has been lost to history.
You should get a copy
The Midwest Outdoors
May 29, 2021
https://www.facebook.com/MidwestOutdoors810
Still fighting the good fight.
History will prove I am on the side of the Wild Turkey over Money.
FORM LETTERS
Just in case you don't get it.
2021 Letters from MDC to a Missouri Turkey Hunters
VS
2018 Letter from MDC to ME.
This is tip of the iceberg, response FORM letters from the Missouri Department of Conservation Leadership being shared by different Missouri Turkey Hunters across the state.
All have the common response.
1. MDC will change zero regulations for fall or spring and HUNTING OPPORTUNITY is now the No. 1 Goal.
2. Furbearers have little to no impact will make zero changes.
3. Missouri Landowners are to blame for the loss of Turkey Habitat. YOU need to learn how to provide nesting and brood Habitat.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah Missouri Turkey Hunters and Landowners are Saved.
Atten: Missouri Turkey Hunters and Missouri Landowners
The solution to the 20 year decline of Wild Turkeys on your property is spelled out in detail.
Really don't know why you Missouri Landowners let your Wild Turkey Habitat go to hell.
Missouri Department of Conservation response about the 2021 Missouri Wild Turkey Season - the 24 year historical low harvest record since the 3 week season was put into place, and the lowest population of Wild Turkeys in Missouri for the past 24 years.
This is a Missouri Citizens letter sent to me to share with Missouri Turkey Hunter and Landowners
Good Luck and Happy Turkey Hunting
Conservation of Wild the Wild Turkey in Missouri has Significantly Changed
No. 1 - Hunting Opportunity is the NUMBER 1 GOAL for the State of Missouri Government Agency.
No. 2 – The Revenue from Permits Sales and 1/8 cents sales tax that Hunting Opportunity produces is the GOAL for the State of Missouri Government Agency.
No. 3 – The Millions of Taxpayers’ Dollars given as Vendor Payments to Missouri Conservation Groups, Missouri Lobby Groups, and Missouri Watch Dog Groups to buy Silence, Support or a Politician is the GOAL for the State of Missouri Government Agency
YOUR Letters, Opinions, Data, Facts, Experiences, Truths from Missouri Hunters, Missouri Landowners, Missouri Conservationist or Missouri Citizens that want to protect, reduce harvest and have the Missouri Wild Turkey Thrive have ZERO VALUE outside of Agency in Jefferson City Missouri.
It does not matter that the Missouri Wild Turkey Population has decline from 50% to 60% of what it was.
It does not matter that the Predator population is 10 times of what it was in Missouri.
It does not matter that additional wildlife and invasive species are consuming the food sources of the Missouri Wild Turkey.
It does not matter that more Missouri Landowners in History practice wildlife management.
It does not matter that in 1989 the major objective in Missouri’s Turkey Season has been to provide maximum hunting opportunity commensurate with the population’s ability to sustain harvest.
It does not matter that in 2001 the Missouri Department of Conservation - No.1 goal for Missouri Wild Turkey is Quality Turkey Hunting. - Lots of adult gobbling birds.
It does not matter what the today’s data from Missouri shows.
BREAKING NEWS –
Missouri will reduce bag limit of Spring Wild Turkey due to poor hatch.
2005 - Missouri Wild Turkey
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.
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.
1988 Missouri Wild Turkey
1988 Missouri Wild Turkey
Missouri Wild Turkey Population Density
1987 – 35,951 Wild Turkey Harvested
1978 Missouri Wild Turkey
1978 Missouri Wild Turkey
89 Counties will be open to turkey hunting.
First Fall Gun Season – 12 days - October 18 thru October 29. – 40 Counties – 1 Bird Limit
1977 – 9,966
Production Rate of Turkey hens – 3.88 ratio of adults to juveniles – Highest on record
Broods increased 88.6 over 1976.
1977 Missouri Wild Turkey
Missouri Wild Turkey 1977
1976 – 7,851 Wild Turkey Harvested
1976 Missouri Wild Turkey
1976 – Missouri Wild Turkey
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.
1973 Missouri Wild Turkey
1973 Missouri Wild Turkey - First Season for a Two Bird Limit
13 Day Season for 63 Counties
1960 – 94 Wild Turkeys bagged
1970 – 1,607 Wild Turkeys bagged
1971 – 2864 Wild Turkeys bagged
1972 – 4,400 Wild Turkeys bagged
1970 Missouri Wild Turkey
1970 - 33 min - 16 mm - Movie Released - Return of the Wild Turkey - Would love to see it.
1967 Missouri Wild Turkey
1967 Missouri Wild Turkey
1 week – 32 Counties
1966 – 4,275 hunters harvested 572 gobblers in 29 Counties, during 5-day season
In 1960, 779 Hunters bagged 94 gobblers during 3-day season, the first in Missouri since 1937.
1960 Missouri Wild Turkey
1960 – Missouri Wild Turkey – First Open Season in 24 years for Turkey.
3 Day Season - 1 Bird Limit - 1960 First spring season - 14 Counties Open
779 Hunters took 94 Turkeys.
Carter, Crawford, Dent, Douglas, Howell, Iron, Madison, Phelps, Reynolds, Shannon, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Texas, and Washington
21 Wild Turkeys live trapped on Commission areas in the winter of 1954-56 cost $3,000 each.
1954 and 56 the game managers experimented with stocking game-farm turkey that cost $20 each. But in 1957, the only remnants of these birds were found in barnyards.
Yet, Native wild-trapped turkeys had, at the same time, expanded: from 7 gobblers, and 15 hens released in Ste. Genevieve had come an estimated 300 birds.
1941 Missouri Wild Turkey
Best thing about doing research on Wild Turkey is reading the old history.
One of the best sources is the old Missouri Conservation Magazines.
Finding the important issues, then the gem within the issues is the hardest part. But I hope you enjoy.
Because knowledge of Missouri Wild Turkey history is as important to the future management of the wild turkey in Missouri.
I hope you have heard of Aldo Leopold the Father of Modern-Day Conservation – Author of the Sand County Almanac – But did you know that Aldo Leopold lived in Missouri and had a Cabin in 1930’s near Current River called the Shanty. Just one of the few people in History that I love to read about.
But for the History of the Wild Turkey in Missouri – Aldo Leopold’s son is the key figure – A. Starker Leopold worked on Caney Mountain in Ozark County, Missouri studying the Missouri Wild Turkey and was a key player in the way to proceed to restore the wild turkey in Missouri.
1940 - 12,000 Artificially reared Wild Turkey have been released.
1938 - Missouri Wild Turkey Season Closed State-Wide - Steps to restore started
1931 - Wild Turkey Season reduced to the month of December - 1 bird limit
1925 - Artificially reared Wild Turkey started being released.
1909 - Wild Turkey Season was reduced to 2 months with 2 bird bag limits and 4 for season
1907 - Wild Turkey Season was increase to 3 months
1895 - Wild Turkey Season was reduced to 2 months
1874 - Wild Turkey season was reduced to 7 months no bag limit
No Bag limit – meant no bag limits One Man killed 180 Wild Turkeys in 9 months.
1841 - Wild Turkey was worth 10 cents if it was dressed and ready to cook
WAKE UP PEOPLE - 2018
Wake Up. ROFLMAO - You haven't seen the best is yet to come.
Can't wait till Missouri Turkey Harvest Numbers are in the 20,000's.
Last Column in The Banner Press – Did a quick review of the copies of newspaper I have and what I have written over the years, and here is how it breaks down I am sure I am missing a few.
2 - Columns on Quail Forever
2 - Columns on Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
2 - Columns on National Trappers Association
2 - Columns on Missouri Trappers Association
3 - Columns on Nature Experiences
3 - Columns on Ducks Unlimited
8 - Columns on Hunting and Fishing Adventures outside of Missouri
13 – Columns on the National Wild Turkey Federation
16 – Columns on Individual Hunting and Wildlife Management Products
20 – Columns on Trapping
23 – Columns on Quality Deer Management Association
35 – Columns on Wildlife Management
76 – Columns on Hunting Issues in Missouri – Example: Tree stand Safety, Takes Kids Hunting, Poaching, Trespassing, Wild Hogs, Missouri Deer and Turkey, etc.
No one, listened 2018 now look at where we are at. ROFLMAO MAKES me laugh.
