Missouri’s regular Spring Turkey Hunting Season begins Monday. And, as the hunters take to the woods, the State Conservation Department is talking up the successes of one of its safety programs. The Department’s Laurna Domke says the Missouri Hunter Education program has helped to cut down on the number of hunting accidents and deaths.
Starting in 1988, the state has required anyone born after January 1st, 1967, to successfully complete a mandatory hunter education course to qualify for purchasing firearm permits. Before the training was introduced, Missouri averaged approximately 100 firearm hunting accidents a year. Today, Missouri averages about 30 accidents each year. The program is taught primarily by about 2,000 volunteer instructors, who teach and certify about 26,000 students a year.
Turkey hunting season runs through May 6th.
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