According to preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), young turkey hunters harvested 4,060 birds during the 2017 spring youth season, April 8 and 9. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 118 birds harvested, Callaway with 91 and Gasconade with 87.

Young hunters checked 4,167 turkeys during last year’s youth weekend.

For county-specific information on turkey harvest information, visit MDC online at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.

For more information on the upcoming regular spring turkey hunting season, April 17 – May 7, get a copy of MDC’s “2017 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet, available where permits are sold, or go online to huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey.

Hunters who harvest their first turkey can have the accomplishment recognized through a special certificate from MDC, complete with photo. Learn more at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/trophies-certificates/certificates.

Hunters can brag a bit about their harvest by posting pics on the MDC Bragging Board at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/trophies-certificates/hunting-bragging-board.