Missouri's Spring Turkey Hunting Season
The Missouri Department of Conservation sets the spring turkey hunting season each year, typically running from mid-April through early May. The season is divided into two segments: the youth spring turkey hunting weekend and the regular spring turkey hunting season. The youth weekend provides an excellent opportunity for young hunters, aged 6 to 15, to gain valuable hunting experience under the guidance of experienced mentors.
Licensing and Regulations
To hunt spring turkeys in Missouri, all hunters must possess a valid hunting permit, which can be purchased online, over the phone, or at any authorized vendor. Non-residents can purchase a spring turkey hunting permit specifically designed for out-of-state hunters. Additionally, all hunters born on or after January 1, 1967, must complete a hunter education course before obtaining a hunting permit.
Hunting Tactics and Techniques
Spring turkey hunting in Missouri often involves a combination of patience, skill, and strategy. Hunters typically use decoys and turkey calls to lure in gobblers. The key to a successful hunt is scouting your hunting location before the season begins, identifying travel corridors, roosting areas, and feeding grounds. Remember to stay concealed in blinds or camouflaged clothing, as turkeys have exceptional eyesight.
Calling is a crucial skill in spring turkey hunting. Familiarize yourself with various types of calls, such as box calls, slate calls, and mouth diaphragm calls. These calls mimic the sounds made by turkeys, such as yelps, clucks, and purrs, to attract gobblers and bring them into range.