Hunting
After
closing for 23 years, Missouri's first modern turkey season was held in
April 1960. Hunting was permitted for only 3 days in 14 counties. By the
1985 spring season, the restoration program was successful in expanding
the turkey range and all 114 counties were opened. Increases in season
length occurred periodically as the turkey population continued to grow.
Today, Missouri turkey hunters can pursue turkeys for three weeks in the
spring and two weeks during the fall and archers can add almost another
three months during the fall archery season.
One out of eight turkey hunters (about 12 percent) was successful in Missouri's first spring season. Success rates improved as hunters gained experience and additional opportunities were provided with longer seasons and higher turkey populations. Hunting success on opening day has consistently been higher than for any other day of the season.
A weekday rather than a weekend opening was selected for Missouri's firearms turkey seasons to avoid heavy hunting pressure on opening day. This season structure has been successful because hunting pressure on opening day has been similar to that on the first Saturday of the season.
The goal of Missouri's turkey hunting program is to provide quality hunting opportunity consistent with One out of eight turkey hunters (about 12 percent) was successful in Missouri's first spring season. Success rates improved as hunters gained experience and additional opportunities were provided with longer seasons and higher turkey populations. Hunting success on opening day has consistently been higher than for any other day of the season. A weekday rather than a weekend opening was selected for Missouri's firearms turkey seasons to avoid heavy hunting pressure on opening day. This season structure has been successful because hunting pressure on opening day has been similar to that on the first Saturday of the season. The goal of Missouri's turkey hunting program is to provide quality hunting opportunity consistent with
