Young hunters bag 3,915 birds during youth turkey hunting weekend

Franklin, Greene and Callaway counties lead harvest numbers.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), young hunters ages 6 to 15 years harvested 3,915 turkeys during Missouri’s 2013 youth spring turkey hunting weekend, April 6-7. The total included

2,933 adult gobblers, 72 bearded hens, and 910 juvenile gobblers. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 106 birds checked, Greene with 77 and Callaway with 76.

In 2012, young hunters harvested 4,319 turkeys during the youth season with top harvest counties being Franklin with 119 turkeys checked, Osage with 93 and Callaway with 81. The 2011 total was 3,898. Youth had their first separate spring turkey hunt in 2001 with a total harvest of 2,530 birds.

The 2013 regular spring turkey season runs April 15 through May 5. For more information, get a copy of MDC’s “2013 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet where permits are sold, at MDC offices or online at mdc.mo.gov/node/4051.

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