Turkey
Image

Credit
M
Right to Use
Photo by M, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
Image

Species Description
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 2025?
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) may now be used to locate and recover wounded black bears, deer, elk, and turkeys. For details on drone use, see Rule 3 CSR 10-7.410 in the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
Topic Category
Hunting / Fishing Guide
Regulations
Seasons
Biological Information