Thousands of Missouri turkey hunters are in the woods today as the regular spring season gets underway. Jeff Beringer, resource scientist with the State Conservation Department, says poorer hatches the last few years means wild turkey numbers in the state are a bit lower than say a decade or so ago. But he says the hunting should still be good. Beringer says the most successful hunters take some time to know their prey before actually setting up for the hunt. Beringer says this year could end up being a pretty good hatch of turkeys with plenty of food for the poults and with a little luck, dry weather when they hatch. He says that should set up continued success for Missouri turkey hunters in the future.