Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations
2012 Seasons
- Youth Season: March 31-April 1
- Regular Season: April 16-May 6
What’s New for 2012
- Hunters with developmental disabilities who have taken a hunter-education course but failed to pass the certification tests now may purchase firearms permits. However, they must carry a physician’s statement as proof of their disability and hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed hunter age 18 or older who is hunter-education certified.
- Any member of the U.S. military currently assigned as a patient to a Warrior Transition Brigade, Warrior Transition Unit or a military medical center now may purchase Missouri resident permits regardless of where they live.
- There are several changes to conservation area regulations and managed turkey hunts.
Youth Spring Turkey Hunting Season
Who May Participate:
The youth hunter must be age 6–15 on opening day
Season Dates:
March 31 – April 1, 2012
Shooting Hours:
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset Central Daylight-Saving Time
Valid Permits:
Youth hunters must possess one of the three following permits:
- Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit
- Resident Landowner Spring Turkey Hunting Permit
- Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit
Note: Landowner permits are valid only on the land for which they are issued.
Youth Season Limit:
One male turkey or turkey with visible beard.
NOTE: Youths who take a turkey during the youth season may not harvest a second bird until April 23. This is because the bird taken during the youth season counts as the first bird for the first week of the regular season.
Regular Spring Turkey Hunting Season
Season Dates:
April 16 –May 6, 2012
Shooting Hours:
One-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. Central Daylight-Saving Time
Valid Permits:
- Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit
- Resident Landowner Spring Turkey Hunting Permit
- Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit
Season Limit:
Two male turkeys or turkeys with visible beard may be taken during the season, with the following restrictions:
- You may only take one turkey during the first week from April 16 –22.
- If you do not take one during the first week, then you may take two during
the second or third week from April 23–May 6, but you may not take them both on the same day.
NOTE: If you hunt during a managed hunt, season limits still apply.
Valid Permits
| Permit | Cost |
|---|---|
| Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit (age 16 and older) Age 6-15 |
$17 $8.50 |
| Resident Landowner Spring Turkey Hunting Permit | no cost |
| Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit (age 16 and older) Age 6-15 |
$190 $8.50 |
Youth age 6 through 15 are not required to be hunter-education certified. If the youth is hunter-education certified and hunting on a resident or nonresident spring turkey permit, he or she may hunt alone. However, if the youth is not hunter-education certified, he or she must be in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult who has a valid hunter-education certificate card or was born before Jan. 1, 1967. The adult, however, may not hunt turkeys during the youth spring turkey season.
- “Immediate presence” means close enough for normal conversation, without shouting.
- “Properly licensed” means a valid filled or unfilled spring turkey hunting permit.
- “Adult” means someone age 18 or older.
Regardless of age, the youth must be capable of holding, aiming and shooting the firearm by him or herself.
Note: Resident landowners or lessees born after Jan. 1, 1967, accompanying youths on the landowner’s property or property on which the lessee is residing must be hunter-education certified.
Check the Code
This is NOT a legal document. Regulations are subject to revision during the current year. Refer to the Wildlife Code.
