Discover Nature with MDC at youth turkey clinic in Boone County on April 8

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Hearing the booming gobble of a male wild turkey is a thrill most hunters will never forget. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to help kids have that experience. First time youth hunters are invited to discover nature with a youth turkey clinic from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at the MDC Central Regional office, 3500 E. Gans Road in Columbia. Participants must be ages 10 to 15.

During the clinic, participants will learn how to select the best ammunition and shotgun for turkey hunting, get tips to improve their hunting and shooting skills, learn how to properly pattern their shotgun, and learn how to call turkeys and how to use decoys during the hunt.

Those attending the clinic will also have an opportunity to submit their name for a FREE mentored youth turkey hunt on April 11 or 12 in Boone County. All selected participants must be accompanied by a parent or adult mentor age 18 or older.

"Missouri hunters annually harvest more than 50,000 wild turkeys, leading to the state being known as the very best place for chasing springtime gobblers," said MDC Outdoor Skills Specialist Brian Flowers. "Turkey hunting is an excellent activity to get kids outdoors and experience spring in the Missouri woods, and this class will hopefully set the stage for developing this lifetime skill."

Registration for the clinic is required by April 6.

To register for the clinic, visit tinyurl.com/p38hty3. For more information about the clinic or youth hunt, contact Flowers at Brian.Flowers@mdc.mo.gov or 573-815-7901, ext. 3388.

The Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center is conveniently located off of U.S. Highway 63 just west of the Discovery Parkway exit on the south side of East Gans Road.

For more information about this and other Discover Nature programs in Mid-Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov.