THE STATE OF THE MISSOURI WILD TURKEY
Click the different pages below to find more information.
2022 POULT PRODUCTION - MISSOURI WILD TURKEY
WILD TURKEY HENS KILLED IN MISSOURI
Question for the Missouri Department of Conservation about the Wild Turkey in Missouri
Missouri Wild Turkey Habitat Initiative
2022 Season - 25th Anniversary of the 3 Week Missouri Wild Turkey Season
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY HANDOUT
15 Year History of Wild Turkeys in Southern Missouri
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
Missouri Wild Turkey Conservation
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY RESEARCH
MISSOURI REAL WORLD VS MDC MYTHBUSTERS
MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
MISSOURI QUAIL AND WILD TURKEY HAVE SAME PREDATORS
Missouri needs "Wildlife over Tradition instead of Tradition over Wildlife"
BLA, BLA, BLA,
Missouri NWTF Biologist – “Regulatory Changes to Season not the Solution” “Suggest a Split season at different times in the North and South”
Too bad bureaucrats at the Missouri NWTF and MDC can’t remember it’s own history on the wild turkey.
1960 First spring season; 3 days, 14 counties – Why because the Wild Turkey population was still in growth to have, had a 3 weeks 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 controlled by the bureaucrats!
1975 First fall archery season - WOW as the wild turkey population grows the added a season, but as population decline nothing allowed to change controlled by the bureaucrats!
1978 First fall firearms season - WOW as the wild turkey population grows the added a season, but as population decline nothing allowed to change controlled by the bureaucrats!
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 controlled by the bureaucrats!
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 controlled by the bureaucrats!
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 controlled by the bureaucrats!
2020 – 18-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 controlled by the bureaucrats!
Regulatory Changes to Turkey and Trappings Season IS the Solution
MISSOURI WILD TURKEYS
February 2001 – I attended a Missouri Wild Turkey Management Workshop – Given by the Missouri Department of Conservation - Dr. Michael Hubbard – MDC Wild Turkey Biologist
The Missouri Department of Conservation - No.1 goal for Missouri Wild Turkey is Quality Turkey Hunting. - Lots of adult gobbling birds.
The two biologists that can be recognized for Missouri great success in eastern wild turkey restoration are John B. Lewis and Dr. Larry Vanglider.
FY 2001 Missouri wild turkey population is estimated to be between 500,000 to 600,000 birds. Which could possibly be the largest population for any state.
An extensive survey that went out to turkey hunters several years ago came up with a few numbers you might find interesting.
A.Only 4% of the hunter’s question felt that check-in stations were a bad idea.
B.77% of the hunter’s question felt that having no check in stations was a bad idea.
C.55% of the birds taken in 1995 had longer than 1” spurs.
D.In 1994 over 15 million dollars was the spent by turkey hunters.
E.The majority of hunter’s want quality adult birds to hunt. Instead of a liberal season.
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.
For winter survival a winter food source must be available, like hard mast - acorns. Which in the south most of the time does not have a problem with this.
It has also been found that not only the know predators take out nest like the fox, coyote, skunk, opossum, but snakes, ground squirrels, gray and red squirrels also contribute to the mortality rate.
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY BY THE NUMBERS
Missouri Spring Season – History of totals
2021 – Turkeys ??,???
2020 – Turkeys 41,454
2019 – Turkeys 38,776
2018 – Turkeys 35,787 (Lowest Harvest in 16 years)
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
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!
Missouri Youth Turkey Season – History of totals.
2021 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 2,771
2020 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 2,724
2019 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 2,546
2018 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 1,729 - Lowest
2017 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 4,012
2016 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 4,167
2015 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 4,441 - Highest
2014 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 4,332
2013 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 3,915
2012 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 4,319
2011 – Youth Turkey Season Total – 3,898
2010 – Youth Turkey Season Total - 3,945
2009 – Youth Turkey Season Total - 2,884
2008 – Youth Turkey Season Total - 2,898
2007 – Youth Turkey Season Total - 3.545
2006 – Youth Turkey Season Total - 3,694
2005 – Youth Turkey Season Total - 3,894
2004 – Youth Turkey Season Total - 3,258
2003 – Youth Turkey Season Total - 3,660
2002 – Youth Turkey Season Total - 3,102
2001 – Youth Turkey Season Total - 2,530 - First
2018 Fall Firearm Turkey Season Summary
The 2018 fall firearms turkey harvest total was 2,170, which was 25% less than the 2017 harvest total.
Regional harvest totals were:
• Central (334; -17% from 2017)
• Kansas City (241; -19% from 2017)
• Northeast (251; -3% from 2017)
• Northwest (219; -13% from 2017)
• Ozark (242; -53% from 2017)
• Southeast (267; -27% from 2017)
• Southwest (394; -26% from 2017)
• St. Louis (222; -21% from 2017)
2018 - low fall firearms turkey harvest total can be attributed to three years of record or near-record low turkey production.
At the statewide scale, the turkey hatches of 2016 and 2017 were tied for the lowest on record since our turkey brood surveys was initiated in 1959.
Production was slightly better last year but was still among the lowest recorded in Missouri.
2016 – 2017 - More efficient hunting methods in Missouri for the first season that included crossbows of the 2,304 turkeys harvested under archery methods, 853 were with crossbows."
2017-2018 of the 2,426 turkeys harvested under archery methods, 45% or 1,113 were with crossbows
Included in overall Permits Number Issued are Non-Resident, Youth Non-Resident and Youth Resident
2020 – 6,124 Non-Resident Permits, 961 Youth Non- Resident Permits, 17,172 Youth Resident, 233 NR Land
2019 – 7,372 Non-Resident Permits, 730 Youth Non-Resident Permits, 13,879 Youth Resident,
2018 – 7,554 Non-Resident Permits, 722, Youth Non-Resident Permits, 13,899 Youth Resident
2017 – 7,300 Non-Resident Permits, 850 Youth Non-Resident Permits, 17,282 Youth Resident
2016 – 7,491 Non-Resident Permits, 831 Youth Non-Resident Permits, 18,360 Youth Resident
2015 – 6,969 Non-Resident Permits, 808 Youth Non-Resident Permits, 19,538 Youth Resident
2014 – 6,368 Non-Resident Permits, 723 Youth Non-Resident Permits, 19,663, Youth Resident
2013 – 6,331 Non-Resident Permits, 754 Youth Non-Resident Permits, 20,967 Youth Resident
2012 – 5,806 Non-Resident Permits, 617 Youth Non-Resident Permits, 18,356 Youth Resident
2011 – 5,587 Non-Resident Permits, 569 Youth Non-Resident Permits, 17,817 Youth Resident
2010 – 6,500 Non-Resident Permits, 529 Youth Non-Resident Permits, 18,250 Youth Resident
2009 – 7,491 Non-Resident Permits
2008 – 8,176 Non-Resident Permits
2007 – 8,973 Non-Resident Permits
2006 – 9,608 Non-Resident Permits
2005 – 9,580 Non-Resident Permits.
2004 – 9,771 Non-Resident Permits
2003 – 9,604 Non-Resident Permits
2020 – Turkeys 41,454 Permits 113,649 + Landowner Permits 21,614 (3rd Lowest Harvest in 18 years)
2019 – Turkeys 38,776 Permits 93,471 + Landowner Permits 35,877 (2nd Lowest Harvest in 17 years)
2018 – Turkeys 35,787 Permits 97,049 + Landowner Permits 38,169 (Lowest Harvest in 16 years)
2017 – Turkeys 43,356 Permits 101,211 + Landowner Permits 41,385
2016 – Turkeys 48,374 Permits 107,480 + Landowner Permits 42,622
2015 – Turkeys 48,432 Permits 111,228 + Landowner Permits 43,023
2014 – Turkeys 47,601 Permits 110,548 + Landowner Permits 43,117
2013 – Turkeys 46,141 Permits 115,020 + Landowner Permits 45,636
2012 – Turkeys 44,766 Permits 101,534 + Landowner Permits 41,103
2011 – Turkeys 42,220 Permits 101,106 + Landowner Permits 42,157
2010 – Turkeys 46,194 Permits 105,501 + Landowner Permits 42,600
2009 – Turkeys 44,713 Permits 112,579 + Landowner Permits 44,075
2008 – Turkeys 46,134 Permits 115,047 + Landowner Permits 45,293
2007 – Turkeys 48,472 Permits 115,897 + Landowner Permits 45,743
2006 – Turkeys 54,712 Permits 114,529 + Landowner Permits 44,348
2005 – Turkeys 57,743 Permits 120,215 + Landowner Permits 40,816 (Landowner records started being kept)
2004 – Turkeys 60.744 - Permits 124,533 (Most Turkeys ever killed)
2003 – Turkeys 58,421 - Permits 130,021
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY PREDATORS
1940 – 1941 – 834,935 pelts harvested (most pelts sold) (over 70% were opossum and skunk pelts) most pelts sold
1945 – 1946 – Missouri Fur Dealer Permist 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)
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 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.
MDC raccoon, coyote, and opossum observations suggest population increases. Striped
skunk and bobcat populations are relatively steady, while observations suggest a downward trend for red and
gray fox populations.
2019 – Mountain Lions 30 Confirmed sightings from photos, videos, tracks to DNA proof from deer and two elk calve carcasses. The six-county region of Shannon, Texas, Oregon, Carter, Ripley, and Reynolds counties continues to be a “hot-spot” for confirmations with one of the last two confirmations falling in Shannon county and the other in a Madison county
2019 – Black Bear Population at over 800 animals and growing 9% per year.
Acorns are a particular favorite for Black Bears
2019 – Armadillo’s common place in Southern Missouri, while not actively looking for nest photographs show Armadillo’s destroying nest by rooting underneath looking for bugs and research shows Armadillo’s will lick egg yokes if eggs are busted.
WINTER FOOD SOURCE COMPETITORS
2002 - Wild Hog Reports 21 counties in Missouri per MDC.
2007 – Only 10,000 Wild Hogs in the Southern part of the State of Missouri
2017 – Estimated 30,000 Wild Hogs in the Southern part of the State of Missouri per Mark Twain National Forest Report.
2020 – USDA Aphis experts testified in Jefferson City that 100,000 wild hogs in the state of Missouri.
2019 – USDA Aphis maps show hogs in over 48 Southern Missouri Counties.
Acorns are a favorite for feral hogs
2020 – Over 200 elk now in region in Southern Missouri – Shannon, Reynolds and Carter Counties
Missouri Elk will eat acorns in the fall.
ADDITIONAL FACTORS
a.Weather,
b.Increase of Habitat Loss from the urban expansion the older age of forest, etc. etc.
c.Increase in other nest and poults predators - Owls, Eagles, Hawks, and Crows, etc. etc.
MDC treating the entire state as one and not as different regions.
ARE YOU ******* KIDDING ME!
September 24, 2020
You just can't make this crap up!!!
So the Missouri Department of Conservation is promoting the killing of the only hen I have left for the last 2 years, so they can have better Wild Turkey Management.
ARE YOU ******* KIDDING ME!
They are going to spend another 4 years putting gps back packs after they spent 10 years studying Turkeys in areas that don't have all the causes.
How many hogs, bears, and elk eating food sources does Putnam County have?
How many trappers are left in Putnam County?
Degree does not create common sense.
WHAT A JOKE!
Quote from the experts “My speculation is that it’s multiple things causing it not just one and that’s about it. That’s all we can say.” REALLY your higher education helped you with that conclusion!!!!!
Missouri Researchers are trying to solve a mystery, to determine why turkey populations have been in decline statewide since 2016.
I guess the 18 year decline is being ignored. Now it's just 4 years.
MISSOURI WILD TURKEY RESEARCH
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.
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FLAWED MISSOURI WILD TURKEY RESEARCH
Missouri Wild Turkey Research – June 3, 2020
Today a Noon is Missouri Wild Turkey Management video presentation - What a joke that this is the foundation it's built on.
Missouri - Putnam, Schuyler, Monroe, and Marion Counties
How many Feral Hogs have these counties had in the last 5 years? How many will they have in the next 10 years?
How many Armadillo have these counties had in the last 5 years? How many will they have in the next 10 years?
How many Black Bears have these counties had in the last 5 years? How many will they have in the next 10 years?
How many Elk have these counties had in the last 5 years?
How many will they have in the next 10 years?
How many of the 7,000 trappers in Missouri trap those counties? How many will they have in the next 10 years?
How many corn piles does the MDC and USDA Aphis put out that supplement feeds raccoons while trying to trap hogs in Southern Missouri?
THE ENTIRE SOURTHERN PART OF MISSOURI WILD TURKEY MANAGEMENT IS BEING DECIDE OFF OF THIS!! "science-based approach" Really!!!!
In 2013, the MDC began a five-year wild turkey research project in north Missouri in partnership with the University of Missouri, University of Washington, and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).
The study is being conducted in Putnam, Schuyler, Monroe, and Marion Counties.
Funding for the project is provided by the MDC and grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration Program and the George Clark Missouri State Chapter of the NWTF.
The research project will provide information that will be used by the Conservation Department’s Wild Turkey Management Program to monitor the turkey population and assist with making decisions about hunting regulations.
The Conservation Department uses a science-based approach to manage the state’s wild turkey population and this research project is just one of the many ways that the Conservation Department obtains the information used in its program.
OPEN LETTER TO THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION, THE MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION & THE MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Blaming the Weather for Bad Hatch is the Public Relations go to for the last 18 years by the MDC and the Missouri Media just publish the news release without question is just sad.
While the majority of Missouri Landowners, and Missouri Hunting Public knows better.
Since the Missouri Department of Conservation - No.1 goal for Missouri Wild Turkey is Quality Turkey Hunting and lots of adult gobbling birds they have broken the public trust, and the Missouri National Wild Turkey Federation has failed its $35.00 members by not holding MDC feet to the fire, while getting over $380,000.00 from the MDC in vendor payments in 7 years!!!
My prediction for the 2021 Missouri Spring Turkey Season is Teed for ultimate failure – More Gobblers Killed due to higher hunting numbers in 2020 because of schools out and people not working. The decimation of the fur trade oversees, never seen before because of the ban on travel will set up the highest predator and competition population seen in Missouri and the slow, restrictive and no movement on predators, wild hogs and turkey regulations by the MDC.
MDC - 2020 FORECAST CHALLENGING SPRING TURKEY SEASON
I just don't understand the Missouri Department of Conservation any more!!! Your basically become deaf to the people of Missouri.
The State of Missouri - 2020
HISTORY
1997 – 1998 – Over 200,000 Raccoons were trapped.
1980 – 1981 – 13,248 trapping permits sold in the state of Missouri
2004 – Most Wild Turkeys ever killed 60,744
2007 – Only 10,000 Wild Hogs in the Southern part of the State of Missouri
TODAY
2019 - 2020 - Ever worse trapping numbers and prices this year.
2017 – 2018 – Just Over 26,000 Raccoons were trapped.
2017 – 2018 – Only 7,189 trapping permits sold in the state of Missouri
2014 – 2015 - The majority of Missourians (52 percent) agree that trapping is okay as long as it is regulated. – Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report
2018 – 35,787 – The Worse Spring Wild Turkey Harvest in 15 years
2019 – 38,777 – Another terrible year, nothing to right home about.
2017 – Estimated 30,000 Wild Hogs in the Southern part of the State of Missouri
2018 fall firearms turkey harvest total was 2,170, which was 25% less than the 2017 harvest total.
2019 fall firearms Wild Turkey harvest 1,952 - Worse fall Turkey season in history.
2019 – Over 800 Black Bears in the state of Missouri
2020 – Armadillo’s common place in Southern Missouri
2020 - 100,000 Wild Hogs in state of Missouri
2018 Fall Firearm Turkey Season Summary
The 2018 fall firearms turkey harvest total was 2,170, which was 25% less than the 2017 harvest total.
Regional harvest totals were:
• Central (334; -17% from 2017)
• Kansas City (241; -19% from 2017)
• Northeast (251; -3% from 2017)
• Northwest (219; -13% from 2017)
• Ozark (242; -53% from 2017)
• Southeast (267; -27% from 2017)
• Southwest (394; -26% from 2017)
• St. Louis (222; -21% from 2017)
This year’s low fall firearms turkey harvest total can be attributed to three years of record or near-record low turkey production.
At the statewide scale, the turkey hatches of 2016 and 2017 were tied for the lowest on record since our turkey brood surveys was initiated in 1959.
Production was slightly better last year but was still among the lowest recorded in Missouri.
Maybe you should have attended meeting
Biologists, researchers and land managers discuss turkey conservation in Little Rock
LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hosted biologists and land managers from Arkansas and neighboring states to collaborate on an apparent decline in eastern wild turkey numbers seen across the Southeast. The meeting was held at the AGFC’s Little Rock headquarters and included presentations by biologists, researchers and conservation experts from Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia and Louisiana.
The youth-only weekend is April 4 and 5 with the regular spring season April 20 through May 10.
MDC.MO.GOV
MDC forecasts challenging spring turkey hunting season
The youth-only weekend is April 4 and 5 with the regular spring season April 20 through May 10.
2019
Good News - MDC Wild Turkey Biologist has left is position within the MDC for another job.
Missouri Wild Turkey Saga - Continues
2018 Fall Firearm Turkey Season Summary
The 2018 fall firearms turkey harvest total was 2,170, which was 25% less than the 2017 harvest total.
Regional harvest totals were:
• Central (334; -17% from 2017)
• Kansas City (241; -19% from 2017)
• Northeast (251; -3% from 2017)
• Northwest (219; -13% from 2017)
• Ozark (242; -53% from 2017)
• Southeast (267; -27% from 2017)
• Southwest (394; -26% from 2017)
• St. Louis (222; -21% from 2017)
This year’s low fall firearms turkey harvest total can be attributed to three years of record or near-record low turkey production.
At the statewide scale, the turkey hatches of 2016 and 2017 were tied for the lowest on record since our turkey brood surveys was initiated in 1959.
Production was slightly better last year but was still among the lowest recorded in Missouri.
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise
I wrote a letter to MDC and wrote my column at the end of May with all these facts even went on the radio. But they just don’t get it. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but
Well they finally stop blaming the weather I know they been doing that for at least five years. You can’t keep going down the same road and expect a different result. – I love how they say it’s going to get better in years to come – What crystal ball do they have. Hell Tennessee game and fish understands all this and you can now only kill gobblers in the fall this year.
Saw it Coming in May wrote you letter, did a radio interview, published a column, did the FB post but you ignored all the signs.
You knew this was coming at the end of the Spring Season and did nothing.
2018 – Least Amount in 14 years Turkeys Harvested 35,787 in spring harvest.
You had your chance to Solve the problem just like Tennessee did - May 31, 2018
“The Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission significant changes in the state’s hunting regulations this coming fall - For turkey hunters, the biggest change was banning the killing of hens during the fall season. Every hen that survives through the fall will be around to nest the following spring. The Commission agreed with that logic.” But NOT MISSOURI
Price of furs down for 2017/18, less trappers, more predators, Raccoon are No. 1 Turkey Nest Predator - At the high point around 130,000 Raccoon Hides sold at market and last season only 30,000 Raccoon Hides sold. These number are reflective across the board on less predators been taken. That’s just one predator
Hog population up in the south,
2002 Wild Pig Reports 21 counties in Missouri.
2017 Wild Pig Reports 30 counties in Missouri
Current Black Bears – Population is around 350 in 2012 closer to 600 now and black bears are a top fawn killer that is research proven, turkey eggs laying on a nest are like MM’s to a bear.
Loss of habitat – Simple math just less habitat as places with no house are now whole subdivision.
More efficient hunting methods in Missouri for the first season that included crossbows (2016-2017), of the 2,304 turkeys harvested under archery methods, 853 were with crossbows." (2017-2018) of the 2,426 turkeys harvested under archery methods, 45% or 1,113 were with crossbows
Hunters could still fall turkey hunt but just for Gobblers ONLY and One Gobbler only between Archery and Firearms per hunter instead of the 4 hens per hunter.
It's like beating your head against a brick wall. But maybe theirs a crack starting to form.
NOVEMBER 14TH, 2018
The Conservation Commission
Scroll to around 54 minutes they will discuss Wild Turkey in this section.
https://livestream.com/accounts/23393299/events/8487430/player?width=640&height=360&enableInfoAndActivity=true&defaultDrawer=&autoPlay=true&mute=false
November 1st, 2018
Story Continues.
MDC’s turkey biologist says the low harvest total can be attributed to several years of poor hatches.
https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/hunters-check-2169-turkeys-during-missouris-fall-firearms-turkey-season
Maybe the Missouri NWTF has become to close to the MDC maybe they need to become little more independent, Tennessee State Board of the NWTF
UNDERSTANDS
Press Release
Turkey hunting numbers are down – why? Hunting expert – Allen Horntagger Morris
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SPRING TURKEY HARVEST – WAKE UP PEOPLE
May 31st, 2018
Missouri the TURKEY HUNTING MECCA in the early 2000’s highlighted in every magazine, outdoor TV show Missouri Spring Season Statewide has fallen off the shelf and has become a secondary thought of a place to travel for turkey hunting and Kansas and Nebraska or the todays places to turkey hunt.
If you had a bad season, then take a look at all the things affecting you hunting compared to the best turkey season 15 years ago.
Price of furs down, less trappers, more predators,
Hog population up, - SEE WHY
Black Bear Population is up,
Cold or rainy weather less hunting by you,
Flooding,
Habitat Lose both Private & Public land is also, now 15 years older only individuals can make observation if timber harvest, timber stand improvement or prescribed fires have been implemented locally and if Urban sprawl has occurred if so then less new turkey habitat like cover then less wild turkeys!
Less Harvest of Turkeys is not only hatch related, because if wild turkey management of the habitat and its predators, can over time, will overcome most of the items above. But 15 years of poor hatch, nope not buying that.
Hunters are older,
Less Hunters,
Less Landowners with interest,
Less young hunters,
Now Some interesting numbers on Statewide Hunters and Spring Turkey Harvest numbers for past 15 years.
2003 – Turkeys killed 58,421 Most Permits ever 130,021
2004 – Most Turkey ever killed 60,744 permits 124,533
2005 – Turkeys 57,743 Permits 120,215 – Landowner Permits 40,816 records started being kept.
2006 – Turkeys 54,712 Permits 114,529 – Landowner Permits 44,348
2007 - Turkeys 48,472 Permits 115,897 – Landowner Permits 45,743 most issued
2008 – Turkeys 46,134 Permits 115,047 – Landowner Permits 45,293
2009 – Turkeys 44,713 Permits 112,579 – Landowner Permits 44,075
2010 – Turkeys 46,194 Permits 105,501 - Landowner Permits 42,600
2011 – Turkeys 42,220 Permits 101,106 – Landowner Permits 42,157
2012 – Turkeys 44,766 Permits 101,534 – Landowner Permits 41,103
2013 – Turkeys 46,141 Permits 115,020 – Landowner Permits 45,636
2014 – Turkeys 47,601 Permits 110,548 – Landowner Permits 43,117
2015 – Turkeys 48,432 Permits 111,228 – Landowner Permits 43,023
2016 – Turkeys 48,374 Permits 107,480 – Landowner Permits 42,622
2017 – Turkeys 43,356 Permits 101,211 – Landowner Permits 41,385
2018 – Turkeys 35,787 Permits 97,051 – Landowner Permits 38,175
2003 to 2018 - 32,970 LESS Permits issued. General
2007 to 2018 – 7,568 LESS Permits issued. Landowner
2004 to 2018 – 24,957 LESS Turkey killed.
Extra info
2013 - 21,711 youth hunters are now 5 years older and in 2018 - 14,621 youth hunters that is 7,090 LESS youth hunters from the high mark.
Keep this in mind 15 years older Hunters that where 50 in 2003 are now 65.
Comparison of average Missouri Trappers Association Fur Auction prices over the last five trapping seasons with a five-year average.
Just one example of one Predator - Raccoon
2016-17 $2.77
2015-16 $5.84
2014-15 $7.75
2013-14 $13.04
2012-13 $20.79
If you want to understand how that effect population – At the high point around 130,000 Raccoon Hides sold at market and last season only 30,000 Raccoon Hides sold. These number are reflective across the board on less predators been taken.
Current Black Bears – Population is around 350 in 2012 - Closer to 600 in 2018 by my estimates.
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2002 Wild Pig Reports 21 counties in Missouri.
2017 Wild Pig Reports 30 counties in Missouri
