3 CSR 10- 7.455: Turkeys: Seasons, Methods, Limits

(1) Turkeys may be pursued, taken, killed, possessed, or transported only as permitted in this rule.

(A) Spring Season. A person possessing the prescribed turkey hunting permit may take two (2) male turkeys or turkeys with visible beards from April 15 through May 5, 2024; provided only one (1) turkey may be taken before April 22, 2024 and only one (1) turkey may be taken per day. A turkey taken during a managed hunt will count towards an individual’s spring season bag limit. Turkeys may be taken only by shotgun, with shot no larger than No. 4, atlatl, crossbow, or bow; without the use of dogs (except for the recovery of wounded turkey as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410), bait, electronic calls, or live decoys; from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on public lands and from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset on private lands. Possession of electronic calls or shotshells loaded with shot larger than No. 4 is prohibited while hunting turkeys.

 (B) Fall [Firearms] Season. [Fall season annually will be October 1 through October 31. A person possessing the prescribed turkey hunting permit may take two (2) turkeys of either sex during the season. Turkeys may be taken only by shotgun, with shot no larger than No. 4, atlatl, bow, or crossbow; without the use of dogs (except for the recovery of wounded turkey as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410), bait, electronic calls, or live decoys; from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset in all counties except: Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, and Scott. Possession of electronic calls or shotshells loaded with shot larger than No. 4 is prohibited while hunting turkeys. A person, while in the act of pursuing or hunting turkey on a fall firearms permit, shall not have both a firearm, and an atlatl, bow, or crossbow on his/her person except any person may carry concealable firearms, as defined in Chapter 571 RSMo, on or about his/her person while hunting. Firearms possessed under this exception may not be used to take wildlife while hunting with an atlatl, bow, or crossbow.]The fall season is comprised of two (2) portions. A person possessing the prescribed turkey hunting permit may take only two (2) turkeys of either sex during the fall season.

            1. Archery Portion: September 15 through January 15, excluding the dates of the November portion of the firearms deer season. Turkeys may be taken only by atlatls, bows, and crossbows; without the use of dogs (except for the recovery of wounded turkey as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410), bait, electronic calls, or live decoys; from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset. Possession of electronic calls is prohibited while hunting turkeys. 

            2. Firearms Portion: October 1 through October 31 in all counties except Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, and Scott. Turkeys may be taken only by shotgun, with shot no larger than No. 4; without the use of dogs (except for the recovery of wounded turkey as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410), bait, electronic calls, or live decoys; from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset. Possession of electronic calls or shotshells loaded with shot larger than No. 4 is prohibited while hunting turkeys.

            3. A person, while in the act of pursuing or hunting turkey during the fall season, shall not have both a firearm, and an atlatl, bow, or crossbow on his/her person except any person may carry concealable firearms, as defined in Chapter 571 RSMo, on or about his/her person while hunting. Firearms possessed under this exception may not be used to take wildlife.

[(C) Fall Archery Season. A person possessing the prescribed archer’s hunting permit may take two (2) turkeys of either sex from September 15 through January 15, excluding the dates of the November portion of the firearms deer season. Turkeys may be taken only by atlatls, bows, and crossbows; without the use of dogs (except for the recovery of wounded turkey as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410), bait, electronic calls, or live decoys; from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset. Possession of electronic calls is prohibited while hunting turkeys. An archer, while in the act of pursuing or hunting turkey on an archer’s permit, shall not have a firearm on his/her person except any person may carry concealable firearms, as defined in Chapter 571 RSMo, on or about his/her person while hunting. Firearms possessed under this exception may not be used to take wildlife while hunting with an atlatl, bow, or crossbow.] 

 [(D)](C) Youth Spring Season. The two- (2-) day youth spring season will be from April 6 through 7, 2024. Any person possessing the prescribed turkey hunting permit and who is at least six (6) but not older than fifteen (15) years of age on the opening day of the youth spring season may take only one (1) male turkey or turkey with visible beard during the youth spring season. A turkey harvested during the youth spring season will count towards an individual’s spring season bag limit; individuals hunting under the prescribed turkey hunting permit may not harvest a second bird before April 22, 2024. Turkeys may be taken only by shotgun with shot no larger than No. 4, atlatl, crossbow, or bow; without the use of dogs (except for the recovery of wounded turkey as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410), bait, electronic calls, or live decoys; from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset. Possession of electronic calls or shotshells loaded with shot larger than No. 4 is prohibited while hunting turkeys.

AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const. and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Dec. 15, 1975, effective Dec. 31, 1975. For intervening history, please consult the Code of State Regulations. Amended: Filed December 19, 2023.

PUBLIC COST: This proposed amendment will not cost state agencies or political subdivisions more than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate. 

PRIVATE COST: This proposed amendment will not cost private entities more than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate. 

NOTICE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS: Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to this proposed amendment with Regulations Committee Chairman, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or via the department’s website at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z49. To be considered, comments must be received within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice in the Missouri Register. No public hearing is scheduled.