Missouri Wild Turkey Harvest Records
Harvest, Youth Harvest, Permits, Non-Resident Permits, etc. etc. etc.
Missouri History of Wild Turkey Populations over 75 Years
Missouri Wild Turkey Harvest Summary
Missouri, has seen a 60% decline in the turkey population since 2004 per Biologist in Missouri
Missouri Biologist Estimate on the assumption that the number of turkeys killed in the spring wild turkey hunting season account for 10% of the total turkey population
Over a 20-year period, turkey populations in the state have declined at a worrisome rate per Missouri Biologist
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 per Missouri Biologist
While population trends have been dire for nearly 20 years per Missouri Biologist
Missouri Wild Turkey Harvest Detail History.
1960 thru 2021
HISTORY OF MISSOURI SEASON
1960 First spring season; 3 days, 14 counties – Why because the Wild Turkey population was still in growth to have, had a 3-week season and early youth season, fall season and an archery season with crossbows! To be able to kill 6 wild turkeys a year!!! Could be 2 gobblers and 4 hens a year!
1960-72 Spring season expanded (4 times) to 14 days – WOW as the wild turkey population grows the season expanded, but as population decline nothing allowed to change!
1975 First fall archery season - WOW as the wild turkey population grows the added a season, but as population decline nothing allowed to change!
1978 First fall firearms season - WOW as the wild turkey population grows the added a season, but as population decline nothing allowed to change!
1985 Spring season expanded to all 114 counties - WOW as the wild turkey population grows the season expanded, but as population decline nothing allowed to change!
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!
2001 First spring youth season - WOW - Research dictated that if we are to guard against overharvest of mature gobblers, the spring season must begin after the peak in breeding activity in early April.
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!
As the wild turkey population grows the season expanded, but as population decline nothing allowed to change!
2021 – 20-year decline in Wild Turkey Population and Harvest WOW as the wild turkey population grows the season expanded, but as population decline nothing allowed to change! WHY!!!!!
Regulatory Changes to Turkey and Trappings Season IS the Solution
Did you know that 1974-75 - Bag limit reduced to 1 bird due to poor hatch in 1973. Guess they don't care about that for the last 19 years.
www.stlmag.com/news/missouri-wild-turkey-population-decline-researchers-sensors-backpacks/
APRIL 19, 2021
The mystery of Missouri's missing wild turkeys Researchers are attaching sensors to turkey chicks to find out what's killing them.
https://www.voxmagazine.com/magazine/tracking-turkeys-missouri-conservation-hunting-research-mu-wild-poult-birds/article_4d285abc-3a33-11eb-bd7b-6b86ee68d771.html
JAN 3, 2021
Wild turkey populations are declining. MU researchers have a plan to find out why GPS backpacks and rocket nets are two tools researchers plan to use to track turkey movements across the state
https://www.nwtf.org/conservation/article/in-search-of-answers
March 29, 2021
Over a 20-year period, turkey populations in the state have declined at a worrisome rate, and researchers want to know why.
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.
While population trends have been dire for nearly 20 years
A five-year study (2014 to 2019) that wrapped up in 2019 concluded that poult survival was far less than normal rates - Missouri - Putnam, Schuyler, Monroe, and Marion Counties
While population trends have been dire for nearly 20 years
The official field work is expected to begin in January 2021 on mostly private lands in Putnam County 150 turkey hens with GPS transmitters over the next four years. Research to spread over the course of 5 1/2 years.
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Information can be found thru the Missouri Climate Center
http://climate.missouri.edu/news/arc/
Nesting in Missouri May - Total Precipation
2010 thru 2020
The survival rate of poults, or baby turkeys, is dangerously low, he says. On average, only 23% of poults survive the first month of their lives, according to preliminary data the Missouri Department of Conservation collected from 2014 to 2019.
“This past "2020" spring was the fifth year in a row of a poult to hen ratio of one or less,” per Missouri Biologist
Poult Hatch in Missouri May - Total Precipation
2010 thru 2020
Wild Turkey Hens in Missouri are no longer replacing itself short term or possibly in itself lifetime per Missouri Bioloigst
Ariticle - March 29, 2021 - Good news has come for this year’s poult production. “Northern Missouri just experienced some of the best production that we’ve seen in the past five years,” Missouri Biologist. “People have reported seeing large flocks of young birds.”
So Production would have been good in 2015 and in 2020 per statement
Missouri Statewide Trapping Numbers for the Past 15 Years.
Look at the Numbers Missouri Furbearer Report Pelts Sold Raccoon
since 2012 total of 633,000 plus left on landscape
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY PERMIT SALES
2016 THRU 2021
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY HARVEST BREAKDOWNS
2016 THRU 2021
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY PERCENTAGE OF TAGS 1 & 2 TAGS FILLED
2016 THRU 2021
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY HUNTER SUCCESS
1998 THRU 2020
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY BOW HUNTER OBSERVATION
1998 THRU 2019
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY HEN TO POULT RATIO
1998 THRU 2020
