Turkey

Large turkey with feathers flared
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Photo by M, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Large turkey with feathers flared

Adult males are very large and dark with a bare, red and blue head, with red wattles on the throat and neck. They have long legs. The feathers are bronzy and iridescent. Males, and some females, have a tuft of hairlike feathers (a "beard") in the middle of the breast. Females are smaller and less iridescent. Turkeys are most famous for their gobbling calls, but they make many other vocalizations as well.

What's New for Spring 2026

  • Nonresident harvest limit from two bearded turkeys to one. Nonresident landowners will maintain a harvest limit of two bearded birds with only one allowed to be harvest during the first seven days of the season.
  • Youth hunters who are successful during the youth season can now harvest their second bird during the first week of the regular season.

 

Topic Category
Hunting / Fishing Guide
Regulations
Seasons
Biological Information
Wild Turkey
Seasons
Season Dates Hours Limits/Notes
Turkey: Archery -

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One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset

Two turkeys of either sex (archery and firearms portions combined), both may be taken on the same day
Turkey: Spring: Youth (ages 6-15) -

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

During the spring youth season, one male turkey or turkey with visible beard

Resident youth hunters who are successful during the youth season can now harvest their second bird during the first week of the regular season.

Nonresident youth hunters may harvest one bearded turkey either during the youth season or regular season. They cannot harvest a turkey during both the youth season and the regular season.

Youth hunters who are age 6-15 on opening day may hunt.

Youth may also hunt during the regular Spring Turkey season.
Turkey: Spring -

Half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. Central Daylight Time on public lands and from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset on private lands.

Missouri residents and nonresident landowners may harvest two male turkeys or turkeys with visible beard during the season, with the following restrictions:

  • You may take only one turkey during the first week
  • If you do not take one during the first week, then you may take two turkeys during the second and third week.
  • You may not take two turkeys on the same day.

Nonresident hunters may harvest one bearded turkey.
Turkey: Fall Firearms -

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Two turkeys of either sex (archery and firearms portions combined), both may be taken on the same day

Fall firearms turkey hunting is not permitted in Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, and Scott counties.