Turkey Season Begins With a Bang

In a press release from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), information shows that young turkey hunters in Missouri harvested 2,712 birds over the past youth weekend, April 4 and 5.

In comparison young hunters checked 2,546 turkeys during the 2019 spring youth weekend.

The regular spring turkey season remains open as scheduled and runs April 20 through May 10.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is offering hunters who harvest their first turkey, the opportunity to have the accomplishment recognized through a special certificate from MDC, complete with a photo.

In fact, the first harvest is recognized not only for that first turkey but also for the first deer, squirrel, rabbit, quail, dove, frog, water fowl, and/or pheasant.

It's easy to do. To commemorate your first Missouri hunting harvest, you'll complete a form, print and frame a  full-color certificate. To find more information on this project, go to huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/trophies-certificates/certificates.

With the current public-health emergency caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19), MDC reminds people to continue to heed recommendations for hand washing, physical distancing, and all other public-health measures during outdoor activities.