2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information, Missouri Department of Conservation
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2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information, Missouri Department of Conservation NOPPADOL PAOTHONG
Table of Contents Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 What’s New for 2023? Hunter-Education Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 ◾ Several managed hunts have been removed or modi- fied. See Page 16. General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Permit Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sunrise Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Note: According to rule 3 CSR 10-5.216 of the Wildlife Landowner Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Code of Missouri, if you have been convicted of multiple or major violations of the Code in the past five years, the Apprentice Hunter Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Conservation Commission may consider suspending Turkey Hunting Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 or revoking your hunting, trapping, and/or fishing privileges regardless of any previous court action. Turkey Hunting Regulations on Department Areas . . . . . . . . . . 8 The point system the Commission uses to assess Code Managed Hunts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 violations is explained at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zg5. How to Tell a Gobbler from a Hen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Rules for Safe Turkey Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Feral Swine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Sharpen Your Shooting Skills Tagging and Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Regardless of your skill level, you can become a safer, more accurate shooter by practicing at a shooting range How to use Telecheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 before hunting season. The Conservation Department Wildlife Code of Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 offers five fully staffed shooting ranges and many addi- tional unstaffed ranges. To find one, aim your browser at mdc.mo.gov/shootingranges. Director, Department of Conservation Sara Parker Pauley The Conservation Commission Margaret F. Eckelkamp Steven D. Harrison Mark L. McHenry Wm. L. (Barry) Orscheln Missouri Department of Conservation PO Box 180 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 573-751-4115 mdc.mo.gov Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Missouri Department of Conservation is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Questions should be directed to the Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or to Chief, Public Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. 2 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information
Turkey Seasons Youth Spring Turkey Hunting Season Who May Participate: Youth hunters who are age 6–15 on Hunter-Education R equirement opening day All hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, and hunting Season Dates: April 1–2, 2023 with a Resident or Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit must complete an approved hunter-education Shooting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset Central course and display their certification card before they Daylight Time can purchase a firearms turkey hunting permit unless: Valid Permits: ◾ They first purchase an Apprentice Hunter Authoriza- ◾ Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit tion. See Page 6 for requirements. ◾ Resident Landowner Spring Turkey Hunting Permit ◾ They are ages 6–15 and will be hunting with a quali- ◾ Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit fied mentor. See Page 5. ◾ They have a developmental disability. See rule 3 CSR Note: Landowner permits are valid only on the land for which 10-5.205 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. they are issued. See Page 6 for additional information. Hunters do not need to show their hunter-education Youth Season Limit: One male turkey or turkey with a card if certification can be verified online. If this is visible beard. not possible, some hunters will need to contact the Note: Youth hunters who take a turkey during youth season Conservation Department to provide proof of hunter- may not harvest a second bird until April 24. This is because education certification. Once in Missouri’s permit the bird taken during the youth season counts as the bird for database, hunters won’t have to submit this informa- the first week of the regular season. tion again. A person must be at least 11 years old to receive hunter-education certification in Missouri. Hunters Regular Spring Turkey using a Resident Landowner Spring Turkey Hunting Hunting Season Permit are exempt from the hunter-education require- ment unless they were born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, Season Dates: April 17–May 7, 2023 and are mentoring a firearms hunter who is not hunter- Shooting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. Central education certified. Daylight Time For more information or to find a hunter-education Valid Permits: class in your area, visit mdc.mo.gov/huntereducation. ◾ Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit ◾ Resident Landowner Spring Turkey Hunting Permit ◾ Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit ◾ Nonresident Landowner Spring Turkey Hunting Permit Season Limit: Two male turkeys or turkeys with a visible beard may be taken during the season, with the following restrictions: ◾ You may take only one turkey during the first week from April 17–23. ◾ If you do not take a turkey during the first week, then you may take two during the second or third week from April 24–May 7, but you may not take them both on the same day. Note: If you harvest a turkey during a managed hunt, it counts toward your two-bird season limit. See pages 16–17. Notch your permit immediately OPERATION GAME THIEF and Telecheck your turkey by Remain Anonymous; Reward Possible 10 p.m. on the day it is taken. Dial 800-392-1111 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 3
General Information W ild turkeys may be pursued, taken, possessed, or transported only as outlined in this booklet. For MDC’s MO Hunting App Makes complete hunting regulations, refer to the Wild- Permits Easy life Code of Missouri, available at sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/ The Conservation Department’s free MO current/3csr/3csr.asp. Hunting app offers a quick, easy, and The following methods are allowed: convenient option for carrying your ◾ Shotguns with shot not larger than No. 4 permits afield, voiding a permit after ◾ Longbows, recurve bows, or compound bows. Hand-held harvesting a turkey, and Telechecking string-releasing devices, illuminated sights, scopes, and your harvest. quickpoint sights are allowed. The app, which is available for Apple and Android ◾ Crossbows devices, allows you to: ◾ Atlatls ◾ Purchase permits. ◾ See all the hunting, fishing, and trapping permits you The following methods are prohibited: have purchased — even if they were purchased from ◾ Shotguns capable of holding more than 3 shells in a traditional vendor, online, or by telephone. magazine and chamber combined ◾ Carry valid, electronic permits afield. ◾ Shot larger than No. 4 (in use or in possession) ◾ Electronically “notch” (void) your turkey permits ◾ Rifles and handguns directly from the app. ◾ Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge ◾ Telecheck your turkey, using an easy-to-fill form. ◾ Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game Telecheck will upload a confirmation number to the ◾ Thermal imagery equipment or night vision equipment (in app. You can also see turkeys and deer you have use or in possession) Telechecked in the past. Note: Wildlife labeling ◾ Recorded calls (in use or in possession) requirements still apply. See Page 20. ◾ Use of dogs or live decoys ◾ Flood-prone areas in southeast Missouri are closed to all To log in to MO Hunting, you’ll need your Conservation hunting during spring turkey season when river levels Number. This nine-digit number can be found on your exceed certain limits on local river gauges. To see if an area Heritage Card, Conservation Permit Card, or any current is closed for hunting, visit mdc.mo.gov/semofloods. or previous permit. For help locating your Conservation ◾ Use of bait, which includes grain or other feed placed or Number, call 573-522-0107 during regular business scattered so as to attract turkeys. An area is considered hours or go to short.mdc.mo.gov/ZkH. baited for 10 days after complete removal of the bait. A MO Hunting is available for free in the Google Play hunter can be in violation if they take or attempt to take a and Apple App stores. You can also get MO Hunting and turkey by aid of bait where the hunter knows or reasonably learn more about the app at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zi2. should know the area is or was baited. It is illegal to place Note: Make sure you update MO Hunting before bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the each hunting season to ensure you are using the most baiting rule. recent version of the app and that all of your permits Voiding the Permit: If you harvest a turkey, you must notch are visible while hunting. your permit immediately. See Page 20. Tagging and Checking: See pages 20–21 for tagging and checking requirements. Coyotes may not be Additional Information: chased, pursued, or taken ◾ If you kill or injure a turkey, you must make a reasonable during daylight hours from effort to retrieve and include it in your season limit, but this April 1–16, 2023. During does not authorize trespass. the regular spring turkey ◾ It is a violation to wantonly leave, abandon, or waste com- season, coyotes may be monly edible portions of game. taken only from one-half ◾ During the regular spring turkey season, anyone assisting hour before sunrise to another hunter must be properly licensed with either a 1 p.m., using only legal filled or unfilled spring turkey hunting permit. spring turkey hunting methods, and only by hunters ◾ During youth turkey season, you do not need a permit to holding an unfilled spring turkey hunting permit and assist a properly licensed youth hunter. You must, how- either a Resident Small Game Hunting Permit or a ever, be 18 or older and hunter-education certified or born Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit. before Jan. 1, 1967. 4 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information
Spring Turkey Permits SUNRISE AT JEFFERSON CITY, MO. Central Daylight Time Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit SUNRISE SUNSET SUNRISE DAY A.M. P.M. DAY A.M. Age 16 or older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17 APRIL APRIL Age 6–15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.50 1 . . . . . 6:54 . . . . . . 7:32 27 . . . . . 6:17 Resident Landowner 2 . . . . . 6:52 . . . . . . 7:33 28 . . . . . 6:15 Spring Turkey Hunting Permit . . . . . . . No cost; see Page 6 17 . . . . . 6:30 29 . . . . . 6:14 18 . . . . . 6:29 30 . . . . . 6:13 Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit 19 . . . . . 6:27 MAY Age 16 or older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $224 20 . . . . . 6:26 1 . . . . . 6:12 Age 6–15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.50 21 . . . . . 6:25 2 . . . . . 6:11 22 . . . . . 6:23 3 . . . . . 6:09 Nonresident Landowner Spring Turkey 23 . . . . . 6:22 4 . . . . . 6:08 Hunting Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $165 24 . . . . . 6:21 5 . . . . . 6:07 Available to nonresidents who own at least 75 acres in one 25 . . . . . 6:19 6 . . . . . 6:06 contiguous tract in Missouri and members of the landowner’s 26 . . . . . 6:18 7 . . . . . 6:05 immediate household. See Page 6 for details. This table is for Jefferson City and points on the same longitude north or south. For locations east, subtract one minute from the Note: Youth age 6–15 are not required to be hunter- table for each 13 1/2 miles (airline) of distance. For locations west, education certified. If a youth is hunter-education certified add one minute for each 13 1/2 miles. and hunting on a resident or nonresident spring turkey per- mit, they may hunt alone. If a youth is not hunter-education ◾ Any member of the U.S. military currently assigned as a certified, they must be in the immediate presence of a men- patient to a Warrior Transition Brigade, Warrior Transition tor, age 18 or older, who is hunter-education certified or born Unit, or a military medical center; must carry orders show- before Jan. 1, 1967. The mentor does not need a permit dur- ing such assignment while hunting and purchasing permits. ing the youth turkey season but must possess a spring turkey ◾ Nonresidents who are registered students attending a hunting permit (filled or unfilled) during the regular season. public or private secondary, postsecondary, or vocational Mentors may not hunt turkeys during the youth season. school in Missouri and who live in Missouri while attending Regardless of age, a youth hunter must be capable of school; must carry evidence of a Missouri residence and holding, aiming, and shooting the firearm without help from student status, such as a student ID, while hunting. a mentor. Note: Nonresident students who qualify for resident Resident landowners born after Jan. 1, 1967, permits must purchase them in person, over the phone, or accompanying youths on the landowner’s property must be through the mail from Conservation Department offices. hunter-education certified. ◾ Immigrants who possess an I-551 Resident Alien Card from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and who Who may purchase resident permits? do not claim resident privileges in another state or country, ◾ Any person who does not claim resident privileges in and whose actual residence and legal permanent home another state or country, and whose actual residence and address are both in Missouri, and have been for at least 30 legal permanent home address are both in Missouri, and days before purchasing a permit. have been for at least 30 days before applying for the per- mit. Owning real estate or attending a Missouri school does Purchasing Permits not in itself make you a legal resident. You may purchase turkey hunting permits: ◾ Missouri residents employed by the United States in the ◾ Over the counter from any permit vendor. No surcharges District of Columbia or serving in the U.S. armed forces. will be assessed. (Immediate family members who reside with them also ◾ Online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits. Use your credit card may purchase resident permits.) to pay. No surcharges will be assessed. Print your permit at ◾ All members of the U.S. armed forces stationed and resid- home and have it in hand immediately. ing in Missouri on permanent change-of-station status and ◾ From your smartphone using the free MO Hunting app (see immediate family members residing with them. Page 4). Use your credit card to pay. No surcharges will be ◾ Any honorably discharged military veteran having a assessed. Your permit will appear on the app immediately service-related disability of 60 percent or greater, or who after purchase. was a prisoner of war during military service; must carry ◾ By telephone at 800-392-4115. Use your credit card and pay certified statement of eligibility from the U.S. Department a $1 surcharge. Allow 10 days for delivery. of Veterans Affairs while hunting and purchasing permits. Note: No-cost resident landowner permits also are available. See Page 6 for additional information. 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 5
Landowner Permits All turkey hunters, including landowners, must have a valid turkey hunting permit. Resident landowners may quailfy for Know the Rules no-cost resident landowner permits. Nonresident landowners Each hunter may harvest only two turkeys during the may quailfy for reduced-cost nonresident landowner permits. spring season. You may not harvest additional turkeys No-Cost Resident Landowner Permits using landowner permits (either no-cost resident or To qualify for no-cost resident landowner permits, you must reduced-cost nonresident). All landowner permits are be a Missouri resident. A Missouri resident is a person who valid only on the land for which they are issued. You does not claim any resident privileges (for example, hunt- must purchase permits to hunt on land you do not own. ing, fishing, trapping, driver’s license, or registered voter) in another state or country and whose legal residence or domi- Where to Get Landowner Permits cile has been in the state of Missouri for at least 30 days prior to obtaining a landowner permit. Once your Landowner Permit Application has been accepted, you may get landowner permits using any of the following In addition to being a Missouri resident, you methods: also must meet one of the following criteria: ◾ Over the counter from any permit vendor. No surcharges ◾ You must own at least 20 acres in one contiguous tract. will be assessed. ◾ You must be a member of the landowner’s immediate ◾ Online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits. Print your permit at household and have the same legal residence as the land- home and have it in hand immediately. owner for at least the last 30 days. ◾ From your smartphone using the free MO Hunting app (see ◾ You must be a general partner of a resident limited liability Page 4). Your permit will appear on the app immediately partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability limited after purchase. partnership, or a general partner of a general partnership ◾ By telephone at 800-392-4115. Use your credit card and pay formed by written agreement and the partnership must a $1 surcharge. Allow 10 days for delivery. own at least 20 contiguous acres. Whichever method you choose, please be ready to provide ◾ You must be an officer of a resident or foreign corporation your Conservation Number, Social Security number, or driver’s and the corporation must own at least 20 contiguous acres. license number. ◾ You must be a managing member of a resident limited liability company and the company must own at least 20 contiguous acres. ◾ You must be an officer of a benevolent association organized Apprentice Hunter Authorization pursuant to Chapter 352 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri To help introduce adults to hunting, the Conservation and the association must own at least 20 contiguous acres. Department allows hunters age 16 or older who are ◾ You must be a settlor of a revocable trust and own at least not hunter-education certified to hunt with firearms, as 20 contiguous acres. long as they: ◾ You must be a permissible distributee of an irrevocable ◾ First purchase the Apprentice Hunter Authorization trust and own at least 20 contiguous acres. for $10; ◾ Then purchase a firearms hunting permit for the sea- Reduced-Cost Nonresident Landowner Permits son they want to hunt, for example, a Resident Spring The Conservation Department offers reduced-cost nonresi- Turkey Hunting Permit; and dent landowner permits. To qualify, you must own at least 75 ◾ Hunt in the immediate presence of a properly acres in one contiguous tract in Missouri. You also qualify if licensed mentor 18 years old or older who is hunter- you are a member of the landowner’s immediate household education certified or was born before Jan. 1, 1967. whose legal residence and domicile is the same as the land- The mentor must have a filled or unfilled permit for owner’s for at least the last 30 days. the prescribed season. “Immediate presence” means close enough for normal conversation, without Submit Property Information to Get shouting. Landowner Permits Note: The Apprentice Hunter Authorization can be To get no-cost resident landowner permits or reduced- purchased twice, and it allows the holder to obtain cost nonresident landowner permits, you must submit firearms permits throughout the permit year. After the information about your property to the Conservation second purchase, the apprentice hunter will be required Department by filling out a Landowner Permit Applica- to become hunter-education certified if they want to tion at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits. continue purchasing firearms permits. 6 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information
Habitat Management is Key to Increase Turkey Numbers NOPPADOL PAOTHONG A lthough wild turkeys can be found throughout Missouri’s wild turkeys were no exception. Although an Missouri’s diverse landscapes, turkey numbers in increase in turkey numbers above current population levels the Show-Me State have declined since their peak is possible when good production occurs, it is unlikely turkey in the early-to-mid 2000s. Based on recent research, poor numbers will ever increase to the peak populations observed production — not poor survival or overharvest — appears following restoration. Wild turkey populations are dynamic, to be the greatest contributor to turkey population declines. and turkey reproductive success is rarely constant from year Unfortunately, turkey production in Missouri and neighboring to year. In the future, hunters should expect to see consider- states has exhibited a long-term downward trend and has able fluctuations in turkey numbers. There will be periods been especially poor the past few years. when poor production reduces turkey numbers for several Multiple factors influence turkey production, including years and periods when improved production will result in weather, habitat, predators, and food availability. Although more turkeys on the landscape. land managers cannot control the weather, they can create and improve turkey nesting and brood-rearing habitat. In A Comprehensive Approach to Wild general, this type of cover consists of a knee-high mixture Turkey Management of grasses and other herbaceous vegetation. Planting native The mission of the Conservation Department’s Wild Turkey warm-season grasses in open areas and thinning woodlands Management Program is to use science-based methods, are great ways to establish this type of cover. If you have spe- including public engagement, to manage wild turkey cific questions about how to improve turkey habitat on your populations throughout Missouri that provide quality hunting property, contact your local MDC private land conservationist. and other recreational opportunities. A range of biological information is collected annually to monitor trends in turkey Transitional Times production, abundance, and population age-structure. The Missouri’s turkey population has undergone a transition Department has conducted a number of wild turkey research during the past several decades. In the 1970s and 1980s, projects, and data from these studies provide important when the recently restored population was expanding rapidly, information used to make management decisions. The people often reported seeing flocks of turkeys during winter Department also surveys thousands of hunters each year to that numbered well into the hundreds. During that time, learn about their opinions, success, and satisfaction. production was extremely high as turkeys took advantage of vacant, highly suitable habitat. But a basic ecological principle Looking Ahead to the 2023 Season eventually caught up with Missouri’s turkeys. As wildlife The Show-Me State still offers great turkey hunting even populations grow, factors that limit their size exert ever- when numbers are down. Each year, the spring turkey harvest greater influence. Habitats become crowded, predators find continues to be among the highest in the nation, and despite easy prey, and disease spreads more quickly. By increasing relatively poor production the past few years, the 2023 season mortality, decreasing production, or doing both, each limiting should be no exception. factor puts the brakes on an expanding population. 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 7
Turkey Hunting Regulations on Areas Managed or Owned by the Conservation Department T his table is intended to inform hunters of opportunities Area Name County 1 2 3 4 for hunting wild turkeys on public land managed or owned by the Conservation Department. Elam Bend Gentry ✓ Turkey hunting is only allowed on Department areas Elrod Mill Access Andrew ✓ that are listed in the table. If an area that is owned or man- Floyd Memorial Chariton ✓ aged by the Conservation Department is not listed, turkey Fountain Grove Linn, Livingston ✓ ✓ hunting is not allowed. For hunting opportunities on public land that is not owned or managed by the Conservation Gallatin Daviess ✓ Department, contact the appropriate agency. Grand Pass Saline ✓ ✓ For maps and more details of areas listed on the following Grand Trace Harrison ✓ pages, contact the regional office or visit mdc.mo.gov/atlas. Hadorn Bridge Access Andrew ✓ Regulation key for table Happy Holler Lake Andrew ✓ Hardin Ray ✓ 1. Statewide turkey seasons and limits apply. 2. Longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, atlatls, and Helton Memorial Harrison ✓ crossbows may be used. Turkey hunting with firearms Holmes Bend Access Daviess ✓ is prohibited. All other statewide turkey seasons and Honey Creek Andrew ✓ limits apply. 3. Only nontoxic shot may be used. Jamesport Daviess ✓ 4. Managed hunt. See pages 16–17 for details. Community Lake King Lake DeKalb, Gentry ✓ Northwest 816-271-3100 Kneib Memorial Buchanan ✓ Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Lake Paho Mercer ✓ Agency Buchanan ✓ Little Compton Lake Carroll ✓ Aspinwall Bend Atchison ✓ ✓ Little Tarkio Prairie Holt ✓ Bagley Woods 1 Mercer ✓ Logan Memorial Buchanan ✓ Bee Creek Buchanan ✓ Lower Hamburg Bend Atchison ✓ ✓ Belcher Branch Lake Buchanan ✓ McClure Mercer ✓ Bilby Ranch Lake Nodaway ✓ McCormack Holt ✓ Bluffwoods Buchanan ✓ McGee Family Clinton ✓ Bonanza Caldwell ✓ McKinny Carroll ✓ Brickyard Hill Atchison ✓ Mockingbird Hill Access Grundy ✓ Brown (Bob) Holt ✓ ✓ Monkey Mountain Holt ✓ Bunch Hollow Carroll ✓ Mussel Fork Linn, Macon ✓ Chloe Lowry Marsh Mercer ✓ Nishnabotna Atchison ✓ ✓ Christie Andrew ✓ Nodaway County Nodaway ✓ Corning Atchison, Holt ✓ ✓ Community Lake Crooked River Ray ✓ Nodaway Valley Holt, Andrew ✓ ✓ Dalton Bottoms Access Chariton ✓ O’Keefe Buchanan ✓ Davis Memorial Andrew ✓ Pawnee Prairie Harrison ✓ Denton Access Gentry ✓ Pigeon Hill Buchanan ✓ Deroin Bend Atchison, Holt ✓ ✓ Pony Express Lake Dekalb ✓ Dupree Memorial Buchanan ✓ Poosey Livingston ✓ Price Bridge Access Chariton ✓ This area is landlocked. You must get permission from 1 Punkin Center Access Livingston ✓ landowner to gain access. 8 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information
Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Riverbreaks Holt ✓ Griffiths Memorial Macon ✓ Rush Bottoms Holt ✓ ✓ Heath Memorial Clark ✓ Schifferdecker Memorial Carroll ✓ Henry Sever Lake Knox ✓ Seat Memorial Gentry, Worth ✓ Hidden Hollow Macon ✓ Sowards Ford Access Worth ✓ Hunnewell Access Shelby ✓ Star School Hill Prairie Atchison ✓ Hunnewell Lake Shelby ✓ Sterling Price Indian Hills Scotland ✓ Chariton ✓ C ommunity Lake Julian Steyermark Woods Marion ✓ Sunbridge Hills Buchanan ✓ LaBelle Lake Lewis ✓ Tarkio Prairie Atchison ✓ Locust Creek Sullivan ✓ Thurnau Holt ✓ ✓ McPike Access Marion ✓ VanDyke Mercer ✓ Mineral Hills Putnam ✓ Wagner Ray ✓ Montgomery Woods Adair, Macon ✓ Wiese2 Chariton ✓ Morris Prairie Sullivan ✓ Wolf Creek Bend Holt ✓ ✓ Mound View Access Shelby ✓ Worth County Neeper Clark ✓ Worth ✓ C ommunity Lake Pin Oak Shelby ✓ Worthwine Island Andrew ✓ Ranacker Pike ✓ Yellow Creek Chariton ✓ Ray Memorial Marion ✓ Northeast 660-785-2420 Rebel’s Cove Putnam, Schuyler ✓ Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Redman Macon ✓ Anderson Ralls, Pike ✓ Rocky Hollow Monroe ✓ Arrow-Wood Shelby ✓ Rose Pond Clark ✓ ✓ Atlanta — Macon ✓ Sears Community Lake Sullivan ✓ Long Branch Lake Macon, Shanks Pike ✓ ✓ Bee Hollow ✓ R andolph Shoemaker Adair ✓ Big Creek Adair ✓ Soulard Access Marion ✓ Black Hawk Access Marion ✓ Sugar Creek Adair ✓ Bollow Shelby ✓ Sunnyside School Lewis ✓ Callahan Mound Access Marion ✓ Access Cedar Bluff Access Monroe ✓ Thomas Hill Reservoir Macon ✓ Clark Clark ✓ Tolona Access Lewis ✓ Dark Hollow Sullivan Adair, Putnam, ✓ Union Ridge ✓ S ullivan Deer Ridge Lewis ✓ Upper Mississippi — Dodd Access Macon ✓ Angle, Blackbird, Black- Dunn Ford Access Marion ✓ burn, Ducher, Gilbert, Pike ✓ Dupont Reservation Pike ✓ Mozier, North, Pharrs and South Fritz Islands Elmslie Memorial Marion ✓ Upper Mississippi — Ewing Lake Scotland ✓ Marion ✓ Bay Island Fabius Chute Access Marion ✓ Upper Mississippi — Fox Valley Lake Clark Lewis ✓ ✓ Cottonwood Island Frost Island Clark ✓ ✓ Upper Mississippi — Area is accessible by boat via Grand River or with permission 2 Fabius, Orton, Poage, Marion ✓ from surrounding landowners. Whitney, Ziegler Islands 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 9
Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Area Name County 1 2 3 4 White Oak Bend Access Knox ✓ J.N. “Turkey” Kearn Pettis, Johnson ✓ Willingham M emorial Monroe ✓ Memorial Woodlawn Access Monroe ✓ Kendzora Buchanan, Platte ✓ Wyaconda Crossing Lewis ✓ Kings Prairie Access St. Clair ✓ Kansas City 816-622-0900 La Due Bottoms Henry ✓ Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Liberty Bend Clay ✓ Amarugia Highland Cass ✓ Linscomb St. Clair ✓ Balltown Access Vernon ✓ Little Bean Marsh Platte ✓ ✓ Baltimore Bend Lafayette ✓ Lone Jack Lake Jackson ✓ Berrier (Dr. Harry and Lost Valley Fish Cass ✓ Benton ✓ Mrs. Lina) Memorial Hatchery Big Buffalo Creek Benton, Morgan ✓ Maple Leaf Lake Lafayette ✓ Big Drywood Creek Vernon ✓ Marshall Platte ✓ Birdsong St. Clair ✓ Montrose Henry ✓ ✓ Blackjack Access St. Clair ✓ Mora Benton ✓ Brickley Hollow Benton ✓ Mount Hulda Towersite Benton ✓ Bridger Urban Jackson ✓ Old Town Access Bates ✓ Bristow Vernon ✓ Osage Prairie Vernon ✓ Bruns Tract Pettis ✓ Paint Brush Prairie Pettis ✓ Bryson’s Hope Pettis ✓ Park, Guy B. Platte ✓ Burr Oak Woods Jackson ✓ Parma Woods Range & Training Center — North Platte ✓ Cephas Ford Access Vernon ✓ of Powerlines Only Chapel View Prairie Henry ✓ Peabody Bates ✓ Cooley Lake Clay ✓ ✓ Saline, Pettis, Dave Rock St. Clair Perry Memorial ✓ ✓ ✓ Johnson Dorsett Hill Prairie Cass ✓ Platte Falls Platte ✓ ✓ Douglas Branch Vernon ✓ Poague Henry ✓ Drovers Prairie Pettis ✓ Ripgut Prairie Bates ✓ Edmonson Access Benton ✓ Schell-Osage Vernon, St. Clair ✓ ✓ Ferguson-Herold Lafayette ✓ Settle’s Ford Bates, Cass ✓ ✓ Fewel Henry ✓ Sni-A-Bar Lafayette ✓ Flight Lake Vernon ✓ Taberville Prairie St. Clair ✓ Four Rivers Vernon, Bates ✓ ✓ Truman Reservoir — Henry ✓ Friendly Prairie Pettis ✓ Bethlehem Gama Grass Prairie Vernon ✓ Truman Reservoir — Henry ✓ Brownington Grandfather Prairie Pettis ✓ Truman Reservoir — Granny’s Acres Benton ✓ Benton ✓ Brush Creek Harmony Mission Lake Bates ✓ Truman Reservoir — Hartwell Pettis ✓ Henry ✓ Cedar Creek Hazel Hill Lake Johnson ✓ Truman Reservoir — Henry ✓ Hi Lonesome Prairie Benton ✓ Deepwater Creek Ionia Ridge Benton ✓ Truman Reservoir — St. Clair ✓ Kahrs-Boger Park Pettis Gallinipper Creek ✓ 10 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information
Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Truman Reservoir — Danville — Thornhill & Henry ✓ Montgomery ✓ Gouge Eye Schulze Annex Truman Reservoir — Davisdale Howard ✓ Henry ✓ Grand River Bottoms Diana Bend Howard ✓ ✓ Truman Reservoir — Diggs Audrain ✓ Henry ✓ Leesville Eagle Bluffs Boone ✓ ✓ Truman Reservoir — Benton ✓ Earthquake Hollow Callaway ✓ Little Pomme de Terre Truman Reservoir — Fiery Fork Camden ✓ Benton ✓ Franklin Island Howard Little Tebo Creek ✓ ✓ Truman Reservoir — Gale Access Camden ✓ St. Clair ✓ Sac-Osage Grand Bluffs Montgomery ✓ Truman Reservoir — Hart Creek Boone ✓ St. Clair ✓ Salt Creek Hinkson Woods Boone ✓ Truman Reservoir — Benton ✓ Hite Prairie Morgan ✓ Tebo Islands Honey Creek Access Cole ✓ Truman Reservoir — Henry ✓ Hungry Mother Howard ✓ Upper Tebo Creek Truman Reservoir — Lamine River Cooper, Morgan ✓ St. Clair ✓ Valhalla Lick Creek Boone ✓ Truman Reservoir — Little Dixie Lake Callaway ✓ St. Clair ✓ Weaubleau Creek Loutre Lick Access Montgomery ✓ Urich Henry ✓ Lowe Audrain ✓ Wah-Kon-Tah Prairie — St. Clair ✓ Madden Ford Access Miller ✓ North of Highway 82 Morgan, W.R. Kearn Pettis ✓ Manito Lake ✓ Moniteau Central 573-815-7900 Mansfield Camden ✓ Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Marion Bottoms Cole, Moniteau ✓ Ben Branch Lake Osage ✓ Marshall Junction Saline ✓ Boone, Howard, Bennitt, Rudolf ✓ Moniteau Creek Howard ✓ Randolph Moores Mill Access Callaway ✓ Blind Pony Lake Saline ✓ Northcutt Memorial Audrain ✓ Blue Lick Saline ✓ Painted Rock Osage ✓ Boeckman Bridge Miller ✓ Pikes Camp Access Cole ✓ Access Branch Towersite Camden ✓ Plowboy Bend Moniteau ✓ ✓ Bruns Access Osage ✓ Moniteau, Prairie Home ✓ C ooper Burnt Mill Cave Camden ✓ Proctor Towersite Morgan ✓ Canaan Gasconade ✓ Reform Callaway ✓ Carpenter Memorial Morgan ✓ Rinquelin Trail Charles W. Green Boone ✓ Maries ✓ C ommunity Lake Church Farm Cole ✓ ✓ Rocky Fork Lakes Boone ✓ Clifty Creek Maries ✓ Rocky Mount Towersite Miller ✓ Cooper Hill Osage ✓ Saline Valley Miller ✓ Danville Montgomery ✓ Scrivner Road Cole ✓ Danville — Montgomery ✓ Smith Moniteau, Cole ✓ Baldwin Annex 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 11
Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Smoky Waters Osage, Cole ✓ Franklin, Little Indian Creek ✓ Spring Creek Gap Maries ✓ Washington Stringtown Bridge Access Cole ✓ Little Lost Creek Warren ✓ Tate Island Callaway ✓ Logan Lincoln ✓ Three Creeks Boone ✓ Long Ridge Franklin ✓ Toronto Springs Camden ✓ Marais Temps Clair St. Charles ✓ ✓ Tri-City Community Lake Boone ✓ Meramec — All of Area Franklin ✓ Except Wildlife Refuge3 Vandalia Community Audrain ✓ Merrill Horse Access Jefferson ✓ Lake Waters & Moss Myron and Sonya Boone ✓ Jefferson ✓ Memorial Glassberg Family Wellsville Lake Montgomery ✓ Noser Mill Franklin ✓ Whetstone Creek Callaway ✓ Pacific Palisades Jefferson ✓ White Audrain ✓ Pea Ridge Washington ✓ Wigwam School Access Morgan ✓ Prairie Slough Pike, Lincoln ✓ Wilson Camp Access Miller ✓ Redhorse Access Franklin ✓ St. Louis 636-441-4554 Reifsnider Warren ✓ Area Name County 1 2 3 4 River ‘Round Franklin ✓ Anderson Memorial Crawford ✓ Saint Stanislaus St. Louis ✓ August A. Busch St. Charles ✓ Sandy Island Lincoln ✓ August A. Busch Sizemore Memorial Crawford ✓ Shooting Range and Upper Mississippi — St. Charles ✓ St. Charles ✓ Outdoor Education Dresser Island Center Upper Mississippi — St. Charles ✓ B.K. Leach Memorial Lincoln ✓ ✓ Pool 26 Tracts Blue Springs Creek Crawford ✓ Upper Mississippi — Bootleg Access Washington ✓ Stag, Sterling, Lincoln ✓ Westport Islands Catawissa Franklin ✓ Valley View Glades Jefferson ✓ Columbia Bottom St. Louis ✓ ✓ Victoria Glades Jefferson ✓ Crooked Creek Crawford ✓ Vonaventure Memorial Lincoln ✓ Cuivre Island — Lincoln, ✓ Weldon Spring St. Charles ✓ Island Portion Only St. Charles Cuivre Island — Lincoln, White Memorial Lincoln ✓ ✓ Mainland Portion St. Charles Young Jefferson ✓ Daniel Boone Warren ✓ Southwest 417-895-6880 Forest 44 — Jay Henges Area Name County 1 2 3 4 St. Louis ✓ Range Restricted Portion Alfred Newton Gossett Dallas ✓ Howell Island St. Charles ✓ Barclay Dallas ✓ Hughes Mountain Washington ✓ Bear Creek Laclede ✓ Huzzah Crawford ✓ Bennett Spring Access Dallas ✓ Kessler Memorial Lincoln ✓ Bethel Prairie Barton ✓ Keysville Towersite Crawford ✓ Bluff Springs Cedar ✓ Kingston Access Washington ✓ Bois D’Arc Greene ✓ LaBarque Creek Jefferson ✓ Boston Ferry Taney ✓ Brush Creek Polk ✓ 3 Hunting is not allowed in the wildlife refuge. 12 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information
Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Buffalo Hills McDonald ✓ Mule Shoe Camden, Hickory ✓ Buffalo Wallow Prairie Barton ✓ Murphy Memorial Hickory ✓ Bushwhacker Lake Barton, Vernon ✓ Neosho Towersite Newton ✓ Busiek Christian ✓ Niangua Webster ✓ Capps Creek Newton ✓ Osage Fork Laclede ✓ Charity Access Dallas ✓ Pa Sole Prairie Barton ✓ Clear Creek Vernon, Barton ✓ Paris Springs Access Lawrence ✓ Coffin Cave Laclede ✓ Phenix Access Greene ✓ Compton Hollow Webster ✓ Pilot Knob Stone ✓ Comstock Prairie Barton ✓ Pleasant Hope Polk ✓ Corry Flatrocks Dade ✓ Pomme de Terre Lake Hickory, Polk ✓ Cowskin Access McDonald ✓ Management Lands Cross Timbers Access Hickory ✓ Powell Towersite McDonald ✓ Dale Sare Greene ✓ Providence Prairie Lawrence ✓ Davis Memorial Barton ✓ Rader Access Webster ✓ Deep Ford Access McDonald ✓ Redwing Prairie Barton ✓ Diamond Grove Prairie Newton ✓ Risch Barton ✓ Dorris Creek Prairie Barton ✓ Roaring River Barry ✓ Drury-Mincy Taney ✓ Rocky Barrens Greene ✓ Drynob Access Laclede ✓ Sentinel Polk ✓ Drywood Barton ✓ Shawnee Trail Barton ✓ Fiddlers Ford Access Dade ✓ Sky Prairie Cedar ✓ Flag Spring McDonald, Barry ✓ Sloan Dade ✓ Fort Crowder Newton ✓ Stockton Lake — Dade, Polk ✓ Big Sac Unit Goodman Towersite Newton ✓ Stockton Lake — Goose Creek Laclede ✓ Dade, Polk ✓ Little Sac Unit Hayes Spring Stone ✓ Stony Point Prairie Dade ✓ Holland Stone ✓ Stubblefield Access Barry ✓ Hollister Towersite Taney ✓ Talbot Lawrence ✓ Horse Creek Prairie Dade ✓ Tipton Ford Access Newton ✓ Huckleberry Ridge McDonald ✓ Treaty Line Prairie Barton ✓ Indigo Prairie Dade ✓ Truman Reservoir — Jessie Hollow Stone Hickory ✓ ✓ Cross Timbers Kickapoo Prairie Lawrence ✓ Turkey Creek Cedar ✓ Lanagan Towersite McDonald ✓ Twenty-Five Mile Prairie Polk ✓ Lead Mine Dallas ✓ Wade and June Shelton Dade ✓ Lewis Family, Dean, Memorial Anna Mae, and Taney ✓ Williams Ford Access Dallas ✓ David D. Memorial Wire Road Stone ✓ Little Sac Woods Greene ✓ Ozark 417-256-7161 Mary Lawson Laclede ✓ Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Monegaw Prairie Cedar ✓ Allen Memorial Wright ✓ Mo-No-I Prairie Barton ✓ Angeline Shannon ✓ Mon-Shon Prairie Barton ✓ Barn Hollow Howell, Texas ✓ 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 13
Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Barnes Texas ✓ Odin Access Wright ✓ Beaver Creek Phelps ✓ Patrick Bridge Access Ozark ✓ Birch Creek Shannon ✓ Peck Ranch — Inside Shannon, Carter ✓ Bohigian Phelps ✓ Fenced Portion Brown Dent ✓ Peck Ranch — Outside Shannon, Carter ✓ Fenced Portion Bull Shoals Lake Ozark ✓ Piney River Narrows Texas ✓ Buzzard Bluff Access Wright ✓ Rippee Douglas ✓ Cabool Towersite Texas ✓ Rocky Creek Shannon ✓ Caney Mountain — Ozark ✓ Rosati Towersite Phelps ✓ Outside Fenced Area Caney Mountain — Rose Hill Towersite Oregon ✓ Ozark ✓ Inside Fenced Area Roubidoux Creek Pulaski ✓ Carter Creek Carter ✓ Sand Pond Ripley ✓ Cedar Gap Wright ✓ Shannon Ranch Douglas ✓ Cedar Grove Dent ✓ Short Bend Access Dent ✓ Clement Memorial Sunklands Shannon ✓ Dent ✓ Forest Tecumseh Towersite Ozark ✓ Cover Memorial Oregon ✓ Thomasville Towersite Shannon ✓ Cover Prairie Howell ✓ Timber Knob Towersite Ozark ✓ Davidson-Paris Howell ✓ Tingler Prairie Howell ✓ Davis Howell ✓ Twin Knobs Towersite Douglas ✓ Dixon Towersite Pulaski ✓ Vanderhoef Memorial Howell ✓ Eck Texas ✓ Vera Cruz Access Douglas ✓ Fort Leonard Wood Warm Fork Oregon ✓ Pulaski ✓ Towersite White State Forest Fourche Creek Ripley ✓ Texas ✓ Nursery Fuson Wright ✓ White Ranch Howell ✓ Gasconade Hills Pulaski ✓ White River Trace Dent ✓ Gist Ranch Texas ✓ Woods Memorial Phelps, Crawford ✓ Grandin Towersite Ripley ✓ Southeast 573-290-5730 Hemenway Ripley ✓ Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Horseshoe Bend Texas ✓ Amidon Memorial Bollinger ✓ Houston Towersite Texas ✓ Apple Creek Cape Girardeau ✓ Hunter Towersite Carter ✓ Aquilla Access Stoddard ✓ Hyer Woods Dent ✓ Ben Cash Memorial Dunklin ✓ Indian Trail Dent ✓ Big Cane Butler ✓ Little Black Ripley ✓ Bismarck St. Francois, ✓ Little Prairie Phelps ✓ Black Island — All Units Pemiscot ✓ ✓ Massengill Douglas ✓ Blue Spring Branch Perry ✓ Midvale Texas ✓ Buck Mountain4 St. Francois ✓ Montauk Towersite Dent ✓ Buford Mountain Iron, Washington ✓ Mountain View Cape LaCroix Bluffs Scott ✓ Howell ✓ Towersite Castor River Bollinger ✓ Mudpuppy Ripley ✓ Cedar Mountain 4 Iron ✓ Norfork Lake Ozark ✓ 14 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information
Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Area Name County 1 2 3 4 Chalk Bluff Trail Access Dunklin ✓ Mac and Zelma Butler ✓ Champion Springs 4 Reynolds ✓ Carmichael State Forest4 Clearwater Reynolds ✓ Magnolia Hollow Ste. Genevieve ✓ Clearwater Lake Reynolds ✓ Maintz Wildlife Preserve Cape Girardeau ✓ Clubb Creek Bollinger ✓ Marquand Access Madison ✓ Coldwater Access Wayne ✓ Millstream Gardens Madison ✓ Coldwater — Inside Oak Ridge Stoddard ✓ Wayne ✓ Disabled Hunt Area Old Plantation Access Cape Girardeau ✓ Coldwater — Outside Poplar Bluff Butler ✓ Wayne ✓ Disabled Hunt Area Red Rock Landing Perry ✓ Coon Island Butler ✓ ✓ Reynolds, Iron, Riverside ✓ Corkwood Butler ✓ Wayne Crowleys Ridge Stoddard ✓ Sand Prairie Scott ✓ Shannon, Sank Bollinger ✓ Current River ✓ R eynolds, Carter Seven Island Mississippi ✓ Donaldson Point New Madrid ✓ Seventy-Six Perry ✓ Duck Creek Bollinger ✓ ✓ Stephen J. Sun Butler ✓ Duck Creek, Sweetgum Access Bollinger ✓ Bollinger ✓ ✓ Greenbrier Unit Swift Ditch Access New Madrid ✓ Duck Creek, Dark Bollinger ✓ ✓ Ten Mile Pond Mississippi ✓ ✓ Cypress Swamp Unit Flatwoods Wayne ✓ Thompson Ford Access Madison ✓ Frisbee Cutoff Access Dunklin ✓ Tywappity Towersite Scott ✓ Funk Memorial Iron ✓ University Forest Wayne, Butler ✓ General Watkins Scott ✓ Wappapello Reservoir Wayne ✓ Gipsy Towersite Bollinger ✓ Warbler Woods Dunklin ✓ Grassy Towersite Bollinger ✓ Wilhelmina Butler, Dunklin ✓ Graves Mountain Wayne, Iron ✓ Windy Bar Island Cape Girardeau ✓ Hammer Memorial Wayne ✓ Yokum School Wayne ✓ Hawn Access Bollinger ✓ Holly Ridge Stoddard ✓ Hornersville Swamp Dunklin ✓ Horton Farm Ste. Genevieve ✓ Iron Bridge Access Wayne ✓ John L. and Georgia New Madrid, ✓ Girvin Pemiscot Ketcherside Mountain Iron, Reynolds ✓ Knob Lick Towersite St. Francois ✓ Lake Girardeau Cape Girardeau ✓ Little Whitewater Bollinger ✓ Shannon, Logan Creek ✓ Reynolds Lon Sanders Canyon Wayne ✓ 4 T his area is landlocked. You must get permission from landowner to gain access. 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 15
Managed Spring Turkey Hunts Hunt No. Area Name County Date Quota Odds1 Archery (1 hunt — longbow, recurve bow, compound bow, crossbow, or atlatl only) 1 Caney Mountain CA 2,3 Ozark April 17–23 30 53% Firearms (16 hunts — shotgun only) 2 August A. Busch CA 3 St. Charles April 17–20 40 10% 3 August A. Busch CA 3 St. Charles April 22–25 40 14% 4 August A. Busch CA 3 St. Charles April 28–May 1 40 28% 5 August A. Busch CA 3 St. Charles May 4–7 40 26% August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center 4,5 6 St. Charles May 1–2 2 11% Mandatory pre-hunt orientation begins at 4 p.m., April 11 7 Caney Mountain CA 2,3 Ozark April 24–30 30 24% 8 Caney Mountain CA 2,3 Ozark May 1–7 30 42% Coldwater CA — Managed Hunt Area 2,6 (Call 573-223-4525 to apply.) Wayne April 17–May 7 5 N/A Forest 44 CA (Jay Henges Range Restricted Portion) 4,5 9 St. Louis April 23–24 5 13% Mandatory pre-hunt orientation begins at 5:30 p.m., April 6 10 Peck Ranch CA (Inside Refuge Fence) 2 Carter/Shannon April 17–23 40 15% 11 Peck Ranch CA (Inside Refuge Fence) 2 Carter/Shannon April 24–30 40 33% 12 Peck Ranch CA (Inside Refuge Fence) 2 Carter/Shannon May 1–7 40 34% 13 Weldon Spring CA St. Charles April 17–20 40 17% 14 Weldon Spring CA St. Charles April 22–25 40 18% 15 Weldon Spring CA St. Charles April 28–May 1 40 34% 16 Weldon Spring CA St. Charles May 4–7 40 52% Youth-Only Firearms for Ages 11–15 (9 hunts — shotgun only) Note: Hunter-education certification is required, see Page 17. 17 August A. Busch CA St. Charles April 1–2 15 35% 18 Caney Mountain CA 2,3 Ozark April 1–2 10 100% 7 Charles W. Green CA and Three Creeks CA — Waters-Russell Unit 4,8 Mandatory pre-hunt orientation date and time will be announced before Boone April 1–2 3 N/A the hunt. (Call 573-815-7900, ext. 2866 by 5 p.m. on March 1 to apply.) Fellows Lake 4 19 Greene April 1–2 4 31% Mandatory pre-hunt orientation will be held online. 20 Marais Temps Clair CA St. Charles April 17–May 7 2 100% 7 21 Peck Ranch CA (Inside Refuge Fence) 2 Carter/Shannon April 1–2 10 32% 22 Saint Stanislaus CA St. Louis April 1–2 3 38% 23 Saint Stanislaus CA St. Louis April 17–30 3 100% 7 24 Weldon Spring CA St. Charles April 1–2 15 59% Key CA = Conservation Area 5 O nly first-time turkey hunters 18 and older who have never 1 O dds of being selected are based on last year’s drawings. Telechecked a turkey are eligible. Hunters will be accompanied by a 2 M anaged hunt occurs in a designated area; statewide regulations mentor during the hunt. apply outside the designated area. 6 H unters must permanently need to use a wheelchair to participate 3 H unters permanently needing to use a wheelchair may bypass the in this hunt. random drawing but do not displace others in the drawing. Send 7 B ecause odds are for the previous year, 100 percent odds do not a request with a statement from a licensed physician to: Managed guarantee you will be drawn. Turkey Hunts, Missouri Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, 8 O nly first-time turkey hunters ages 11–15 at the time of the hunt Jefferson City, MO 64102-0180. Requests must be received by Feb. 28. who have never Telechecked a turkey are eligible. 4 D o not apply for this hunt if you cannot attend the mandatory pre- hunt orientation. 16 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information
When to Apply: Feb. 1–28 Managed Turkey Hunt Application Worksheet Valid Permits: Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit, Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit Hunt No.: Bag Limit: One male turkey or turkey with visible beard. Method: Note: A turkey taken at a managed hunt counts toward Location: the two-bird season limit. If you take a turkey during Date: a managed hunt before April 24, you may not harvest another during the first week of the regular season. Hunter Conservation Number(s) (nine-digit number Hunter Quota: See table on Page 16 for the number of on your Heritage Card, Conservation Permit Card, or any hunters who will be drawn to participate in each hunt. current or previous permit): Odds: See table on Page 16. 1. Points to remember 2. ◾ You may apply for only one managed hunt. 3. ◾ You may apply individually or with one other youth for a youth managed hunt. You may apply individually or with up to two other hunters for other managed hunts. To apply, complete the following steps. ◾ Only hunters who are drawn for a managed hunt may Step 1: Designate one member of your group to go online. attend that managed hunt. If you cannot attend, another That person must have ready the following information: hunter can’t take your place. ◾ The number for the preferred hunt ◾ To participate in a youth-only managed hunt, you must be ◾ The nine-digit Conservation Number of each hunter in the 11–15 years old. To participate in a non-youth managed group. If you need a number, call 573-522-0107 during hunt, you must be at least 11 years old. regular business hours. Note: A Social Security number is ◾ You must attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation for not the same as a Conservation Number. Your Conservation some managed hunts. If you cannot attend, do not apply. Number is located on your Heritage Card, Conservation ◾ All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult men- Permit Card, or any current or previous permit. tor (age 18 or older) who is hunter-education certified or Step 2: Complete the worksheet on this page before applying exempt. The mentor does not need a permit if the man- so you will have all the information ready. aged hunt occurs during youth turkey season but must Step 3: Go online at short.mdc.mo.gov/Z3d. If you correctly possess a filled or unfilled spring turkey hunting permit if enter all the required information, you will receive a message the managed hunt occurs during the regular season. Men- confirming your application. To change or delete your tors must attend the pre-hunt orientation if one is required application, visit the same website and click “Change or and may not hunt during the managed hunt. Delete Your Hunt.” To find out if you’ve been selected From March 15 through May 7, go online. Be prepared to enter your nine-digit Conservation Number (the same number you used when you applied). Hunter-Education Requirement All successful applicants will receive by mail an area map for Managed Hunts and information regarding the hunt. We must have your correct address to send the information. If your address Hunter-education certification is required to participate changes, call the Department during business hours at in a firearms managed turkey hunt unless: 573-522-0107. ◾ You were born before Jan. 1, 1967. ◾ You are 11–15 years old and are hunting in the imme- diate presence of a properly-licensed adult mentor who is hunter-education certified or was born before Jan. 1, 1967. ◾ You are 16 or older, purchased an Apprentice Hunter Authorization, and are hunting in the immediate pres- ence of a properly-licensed adult mentor who is hunter- education certified or was born before Jan. 1, 1967. Note: Managed hunts held on lands not owned by MDC may continue to require hunter-education certification. 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 17
How to Tell a Gobbler from a Hen G obblers are large birds with a black body and long beard. Hens sometimes have beards, but they are smaller, brown, and have blue heads. Bearded hens produce young and help increase the turkey population. They should not be killed, but any turkey with a visible beard is legal. Hens without beards are illegal to shoot during the spring turkey seasons. Female Male Breast Breast HEN f eathers feathers GOBBLER buff-tipped black-tipped HEAD Mainly red BEARD Long tassel-like BREAST Appears black No spurs SPURS Usually 3/4 inch or more JUVENILE GOBBLERS have spurs less than 1/2 inch long and a beard less than 6 inches long. Basic Rules for Safe Turkey Hunting ◾ Identify a turkey’s head and beard before aiming. ◾ Never shoot at sound or movement. Assume it is another hunter until you can clearly see a turkey’s head and beard. ◾ Wear hunter orange when walking through the woods. ◾ Use hunter orange to identify your hunting location. ◾ Wrap a bagged turkey or decoy in hunter orange when transporting it. ◾ Dress defensively. Never wear red, white, blue, or black while turkey hunting. ◾ Be sure of your target and what lies beyond. ◾ Never follow the sound of a gobbling turkey or attempt to sneak up on turkeys. Always call turkeys to you. ◾ Sit against a large tree or other natural barrier to shield yourself from hunters approaching from the rear. ◾ Shout “STOP” when another hunter approaches. Don’t move, wave, whistle, or make turkey calls to get their attention. 18 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information
Feral Swine F eral swine are highly destructive and prolific pests. They cause significant damage to wildlife habitat, compete with native wildlife for food, prey upon native wildlife, destroy nests of birds such as turkeys, degrade natural areas and agricul- tural fields, pollute ponds and streams, and spread diseases to livestock, people, and pets. Feral swine are a menace that must be eliminated in Missouri. Report Feral Swine ◾ Report feral swine sightings and damage to 573-522-4115, ext. 3296. ◾ Releasing swine into the wild is illegal. If you see someone releas- ing swine, report violators to your local conservation agent. ◾ During deer and turkey seasons, opportunistic take of feral swine by hunters with an unfilled deer or turkey hunting permit is allowed on lands owned, leased, or managed by the Conserva- tion Department. Outside of deer and turkey seasons, the taking of feral swine is prohibited on lands owned, leased, or managed by the Conservation Department. The Conservation Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, along with private landowners and other partners, are working to eliminate feral swine in Missouri. Swine are social animals that travel in groups called sounders. Shooting one or two swine scatters the sounder and makes trapping efforts aimed at catching the entire group at once more difficult. With their high reproductive NOPPADOL PAOTHONG rate, removing only one or two swine does not help to reduce populations. Anyone who observes a feral swine or damage caused by feral swine should report it to the Conservation Department rather than shooting the animal. Feral swine tracks are distinguished from deer tracks by the rounded or blunt tips of the toes. The toes of a swine track on a firm surface tend to be more splayed than a deer track. A swine track also appears rounded or square; deer tracks appear heart-shaped and have more sharply pointed toes. DAVID BESENGER ILLUSTRATION The presence of dew claw marks with feral swine or white-tailed deer tracks is not an indicator of sex as is commonly thought. Dew claw marks simply mean that the animal was running or stepping on a soft surface. We Need Your Help! Please participate in the Conservation Department’s wild turkey brood survey. The Department has conducted a wild turkey brood survey To learn how you can participate in the wild turkey brood annually since 1959. The survey relies on volunteers to survey, please visit mdc.mo.gov/wildlife/wildlife-surveys. submit observations of all wild turkeys — hens, poults, and gobblers — they see during June, July, and August. The information is used to gauge the hatch of Missouri’s wild turkey population. 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 19
After the Harvest Whether you’re using a traditional paper permit or the MO Hunting app, after harvesting a turkey, you must notch your permit and Telecheck your bird. Here’s how. Notch It Immediately after harvesting a turkey, you must notch your permit. ◾ To notch a paper permit, tear a small notch in the month and day of harvest on the permit. ◾ To notch a permit using the MO Hunting app, simply select the permit you wish to use from the list in the app, and follow the short, easy prompts on the screen. Once you notch your permit, you may transport your turkey within Missouri. Note: Notching is not the same as Telechecking. You must still Telecheck your turkey by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest. Tag It If You Leave It As long as you stay with your turkey, you don’t need to tag it. But if you leave your turkey, you must attach a tag. ◾ If you have a paper permit, you can simply attach your notched permit to the turkey’s leg. We recommend sealing the permit in a zip-top bag and attaching the bag with string, wire, or tape. ◾ If you’re using the MO Hunting app, you must attach a label with your full name and address, or Conservation Number to the turkey’s leg. Check It You must Telecheck your turkey by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest. ◾ If you’re using a paper permit, follow the Telecheck instructions on Page 21. Write the confirmation number provided by Telecheck on your permit. ◾ If you’re using the MO Hunting app, select your notched permit from the list on the screen, tap “Telecheck,” and follow the prompts. Telecheck will upload a confirmation number directly to your mobile device. After you’ve reported to Telecheck, you may process your turkey and transport it out of state. Additional Information ◾ Until checked, turkeys must have the head and plumage intact. ◾ Notching voids the permit. Do not notch your permit until you harvest a turkey. ◾ All turkeys must be Telechecked before they are removed from Missouri. ◾ Only the person who harvested the turkey may possess and transport the turkey before Telechecking. ◾ After Telechecking, turkeys may be possessed and transported by anyone, but must be labeled with the taker’s full name and address, or Conservation Number; date taken; and Telecheck confirmation number. 20 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information
How to Use Telecheck A 9 ll turkeys must be Telechecked online, by using the MO Hunting app, or by telephone. If you are calling Telecheck on your cellphone, be sure you have a clear How to signal. If the signal is spotty, move closer to a major highway, go to higher ground, or wait until you get to a land-based line Measure Spurs to call. Avoid calling in areas with loud background noise. Spur length measurements help biologists 8 You do not need to Telecheck immediately after harvesting keep track of the age structure of the a turkey. You can transport unchecked game within the state adult turkey as long as you have notched your permit. You have until 10 population. p.m. on the day taken to Telecheck your turkey. Please accurately measure Telecheck Using the MO Hunting App 7 your turkey’s Step 1: Select your notched permit from the list. spurs before Step 2: Tap “Telecheck.” checking it. Step 3: Follow the prompts on the screen. This will ensure Telecheck will upload a confirmation number to your biologists place your turkey in the correct mobile device. age class. A difference in spur length of less 6 than 1/8 of an inch can be important, so please take an accurate measurement. Telecheck Using a Phone or the Internet Start at the outside center from the Step 1: Before calling the toll-free number or going online, point where the spur protrudes from the find your Telecheck ID number on your permit. Also get a leg scales, and measure to the tip of the pen so you will be able to write your Telecheck confirmation spur. Report the length of the longest spur. 5 number on your permit. Step 2: Fill out the orange form to the right, which contains the information you will be asked when you use Telecheck. Step 3: Call 800-314-6828 or visit mdc.mo.gov, then follow the instructions. If you’re using a phone, speak clearly and → Your Telecheck ID number: 4 slowly. You can use Telecheck between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. ________________________________ Step 4: After you have provided the required information, you will be given a confirmation number that verifies you → Turkey type: have legally checked your turkey. Write this number on the □ Gobbler permit. You have now completed Telecheck and can process □ J uvenile gobbler (see Page 18 for your turkey. how to identify a juvenile) 3 → □B earded hen (see Page 18 for details on sexing a turkey) → Spur length (gobblers only, see 2 box above) □ Less than 1 inch □ 1 inch or more → Beard length Telecheck □ Less than 6 inches 1 □ 6 inches or more your turkey at: 800-314-6828 → County of harvest or mdc.mo.gov _______________________________ 0 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 21
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