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A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages hunters of all ages to experience the thrill of wild tom turkey gobbles at sunrise. These fierce males welcome spring luring in their mates and warning their rivals. The rolling, guttural gobbles may waft softly through the woods. Or, if you're turkey hunting and they've snuck near your concealed position, the gobble may seem like a ground-shaking roar.
Surprises make hunting wild turkeys exciting, and Missouri is a great place to hunt the avian monarch of the forest. However, it's important to know the basic skills of turkey hunting before heading out to hunt.
MDC's Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will offer a turkey hunting basic class for new hunters on Saturday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. Experienced turkey hunters will share the basics of harvesting a Missouri gobbler including hunting regulations, safety, equipment, and strategy in the field. Participants will learn how to scout for turkeys, calls to attract toms, use of blinds and decoys, patterning shotguns, and turkey hunting safety.
Spring is a wonderful time to be outdoors in Missouri, and the connection with nature is one reason why turkey hunting is a popular sport. Missouri's youth spring turkey hunting season is April 9-10 for hunters age 6-15. The regular spring turkey hunting season will be April 18-May 8. For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/hunting.
To register for the turkey hunting basics course call (573)290-5218.
For a full schedule of events at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center go online to mdc.mo.gov/CapeNatureCenter.
