Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows hunters checked 46,562 birds during this year’s spring turkey hunting season.
Missouri Department of Agriculture Wild Turkey Biologist Nik Oakley said great production in 2023 resulted in a large population of gobblers this year and led to an 8% increase in the overall harvest compared to last year. He said it is the largest harvest in Missouri since 2006.
“Great production in 2023 resulted in a large population of adult gobblers this year,” said MDC Wild Turkey Biologist Nick Oakley. “This led to an 8% increase in the overall harvest compared to last year — and the largest harvest in Missouri since 2006. Continuing to prioritize turkey nesting and brooding habitat is the best way to ensure good hatches in the future, and ongoing success in the field.”
The top harvest counties for the regular season were Franklin with 956 birds harvested, Callaway with 873, and Texas with 860.
The season was April 21 through May 11.
Young turkey hunters also harvested a near-record 4,449 turkeys over the spring youth weekend, April 12 and 13, bringing the overall 2025 spring turkey harvest to 51,011.
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