Missouri reports

[AT Hiker]

This is from Grant Woods FB, basically they are down 17% this year

"Missouri's turkey season ended on Sunday. The Missouri Department of Conservation released the following this week.

Missouri's spring turkey season ends with nearly 35,800 birds harvested
Top harvest counties were Franklin, Texas, and Laclede.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that turkey hunters checked 34,055 birds during Missouri's 2018 regular spring turkey season April 16 through May 6. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 760 birds checked, Texas with 732, and Laclede with 657. Young turkey hunters harvested 1,729 birds during the 2018 spring youth season, April 7-8, bringing the overall 2018 spring turkey harvest to 35,784.

This year's harvest total is down 17% from last year's overall spring turkey harvest of 43,339 birds.

MDC Turkey Biologist Jason Isabelle indicates that a drop in harvest was not unexpected given the poor production in recent years.

"We've had very poor production the last two years," said Isabelle. "This resulted in fewer two-year-old gobblers and a lot fewer jakes this year."

He noted that it is common for jakes to make up over a quarter of the spring harvest following years of good production. The last two years, however, jakes have made up just 13% and 15% of the harvest.

"Low numbers of jakes in the spring harvest the past couple years just confirms what we learned from our summer brood survey; we've dealt with some very poor hatches in recent years," said Isabelle.

In addition to poor production, Isabelle added that less than ideal conditions during the youth season and opening day of the regular season impacted this year's harvest as well.

"Winter-like conditions made for a tough start to the season," he said. In addition to its effect on hunting, Isabelle notes that the late spring also impacted the timing of turkey flock break-up and nesting this year. "The recent poor production and this year's late spring made for a challenging 2018 spring season." He indicated that he has corresponded with several colleagues in neighboring states that reported lower spring harvests this year as well.

With the hunting season over, Isabelle and other MDC staff have been preparing for the summer brood survey which is used to determine the success of the hatch. Isabelle is hoping turkey production will reverse its current trajectory.

"Unfortunately, poor hatches have reduced turkey numbers in many areas of the state," said Isabelle. He notes that fluctuations in turkey numbers are to be expected. "We're going through a tough stretch right now like we did during the late 2000s. Because nest success and poult survival are the primary drivers of turkey population trends, we're going to need some better production to help numbers rebound."

Get more information on spring turkey harvest numbers by county at: http://on.mo.gov/1jjz7Ew.

The 2018 spring turkey season had two non-fatal hunting incidents. One turkey hunter mistook another hunter for a turkey and another hunter accidently discharged a round into his foot.

For more information about turkey hunting in Missouri, visit https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-tra ... ies/turkey."



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[Goodtimekiller]

Mr. Isabelle sounds like a pretty intelligent guy.


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[Andy S.]

Mr. Isabelle sounds like a pretty intelligent guy.

Totally agree, and to be expected since he works for a very well respected Resource Agency that sees the long term value in a 21 day turkey season, 2 bird limit, with no more than 1 bird the first week season is open. Sounds familiar doesn't it? There is no hiding the fact why Missouri is the epitome of turkey management and quality turkey hunting for the eastern subspecies. The surrounding States could learn a lot from them if they would just open their eyes and ears.

 

[Goodtimekiller]

Mr. Isabelle sounds like a pretty intelligent guy.

Totally agree, and to be expected since he works for a very well respected Resource Agency that sees the long term value in a 21 day turkey season, 2 bird limit, with no more than 1 bird the first week season is open. Sounds familiar don't it? There is no hiding the fact why Missouri is the epitome of turkey management and quality turkey hunting for the eastern subspecies. The surrounding States could learn a lot from them if they would just open their eyes and ears.

It does not really sound familiar. And I did not read where he said any of that. If he would have said no decoys, no fanning, no blinds that would sound familiar. Instead, he talks about brood survival causing the lack of turkeys and declined harvest, not crazy, unproven theories.


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[Andy S.]

If it does not sound familiar, you must have conveniently forgotten the numerous posts TN turkey hunters made on this forum over the last few weeks where they would like to see a season that opened later (like Missouri), a reduction in statewide spring bag limit (like Missouri), and a shorter season (like Missouri). You put in place the 50% reduction that Missouri has, both in number of turkeys (4 vs 2), and number of days (44 versus 21), as well as sound turkey management based on broad surveys and hunter feedback solicited through post season surveys, and you and others will most likely never hear another ill comment towards the crutches of blinds, decoys, fans and 75 yard sniper guns. Instead, we like to erroneously use harvest data and make a crutch incentivized free-for-all hunting season with unsustainable bag limits and wonder why we are seeing reduced turkey (hen and gobbler) populations all across the state.

 

[poorhunter]

If it does not sound familiar, you must have conveniently forgotten the numerous posts TN turkey hunters made on this forum over the last few weeks where they would like to see a season that opened later (like Missouri), a reduction in statewide spring bag limit (like Missouri), and a shorter season (like Missouri). You put in place the 50% reduction that Missouri has, both in number of turkeys (4 vs 2), and number of days (44 versus 21), as well as sound turkey management based on broad surveys and hunter feedback solicited through post season surveys, and you and others will most likely never hear another ill comment towards the crutches of blinds, decoys, fans and 75 yard sniper guns. Instead, we like to erroneously use harvest data and make a crutch incentivized free-for-all hunting season with unsustainable bag limits and wonder why we are seeing reduced turkey (hen and gobbler) populations all across the state.

Very well said Andy.

 

[AT Hiker]

SCN and Andy are stealing all the mic drops

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[Roost 1]

If it does not sound familiar, you must have conveniently forgotten the numerous posts TN turkey hunters made on this forum over the last few weeks where they would like to see a season that opened later (like Missouri), a reduction in statewide spring bag limit (like Missouri), and a shorter season (like Missouri). You put in place the 50% reduction that Missouri has, both in number of turkeys (4 vs 2), and number of days (44 versus 21), as well as sound turkey management based on broad surveys and hunter feedback solicited through post season surveys, and you and others will most likely never hear another ill comment towards the crutches of blinds, decoys, fans and 75 yard sniper guns. Instead, we like to erroneously use harvest data and make a crutch incentivized free-for-all hunting season with unsustainable bag limits and wonder why we are seeing reduced turkey (hen and gobbler) populations all across the state.

Don't forget hunting in MO ends at noon!!!!
Yes. It's obvious they care about their birds.
43,000 + in just 21 half- days of hunting is great number. (2017)

 

[TheLBLman]

Mr. Isabelle sounds like a pretty intelligent guy.

Totally agree, and to be expected since he works for a very well respected Resource Agency that sees the long term value in a 21 day turkey season, 2 bird limit, with no more than 1 bird the first week season is open.
. . . . . . .
The surrounding States could learn a lot from them if they would just open their eyes and ears.

Good points.
And noteworthy they are killing so many more turkeys annually (than TN)
with half as many days and half the per person limit.

Wonder what Missouri's annual hunter success works out to be per average hunter?
And that, per day or per hour of hunting?

 

[Goodtimekiller]

If it does not sound familiar, you must have conveniently forgotten the numerous posts TN turkey hunters made on this forum over the last few weeks where they would like to see a season that opened later (like Missouri), a reduction in statewide spring bag limit (like Missouri), and a shorter season (like Missouri). You put in place the 50% reduction that Missouri has, both in number of turkeys (4 vs 2), and number of days (44 versus 21), as well as sound turkey management based on broad surveys and hunter feedback solicited through post season surveys, and you and others will most likely never hear another ill comment towards the crutches of blinds, decoys, fans and 75 yard sniper guns. Instead, we like to erroneously use harvest data and make a crutch incentivized free-for-all hunting season with unsustainable bag limits and wonder why we are seeing reduced turkey (hen and gobbler) populations all across the state.

this was basically my entire point, but the biologist did not make those points in his comments is what i was saying.


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[TheLBLman]

If it does not sound familiar, you must have conveniently forgotten the numerous posts TN turkey hunters made on this forum over the last few weeks where they would like to see a season that opened later (like Missouri), a reduction in statewide spring bag limit (like Missouri), and a shorter season (like Missouri).

You put in place the 50% reduction that Missouri has, both in number of turkeys (4 vs 2), and number of days (44 versus 21), as well as sound turkey management based on broad surveys and hunter feedback solicited through post season surveys, and you and others will most likely never hear another ill comment towards the crutches of blinds, decoys, fans and 75 yard sniper guns.

Don't forget hunting in MO ends at noon!!!!

Agree, and had forgot about MO ending daily at noon!

So, MO actually has a turkey season comprised of only 1/4 as many hours as TN's?
Yet, even with a 2-bird limit, they kill a lot more turkeys annually?
How could this be?

 

[@fulldraw]

One reason is MO has about 40% more sq miles than TN. Probably a higher carrying capacity too.

 

[Goodtimekiller]

SCN and Andy are stealing all the mic drops

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it's so hard to converse with you guys because you're all so hung up on trying to gang up on someone with a different opinion, even if they agree with you on most of your own points. And the mike drop after a statement that does not logically apply really shows me how much i should listen to YOUR opinion. By the way, took a friend yesterday, 200acre farm, 4 longbeards, 3 jakes, couldn't count the hens. 1:00 he got a bird. We were there 30 minutes, no decoys. Calling in turkeys is SO tough.


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[TreyB]

SCN and Andy are stealing all the mic drops

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it's so hard to converse with you guys because you're all so hung up on trying to gang up on someone with a different opinion, even if they agree with you on most of your own points. And the mike drop after a statement that does not logically apply really shows me how much i should listen to YOUR opinion. By the way, took a friend yesterday, 200acre farm, 4 longbeards, 3 jakes, couldn't count the hens. 1:00 he got a bird. We were there 30 minutes, no decoys. Calling in turkeys is SO tough.


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op:

 

[Roost 1]

One reason is MO has about 40% more sq miles than TN. Probably a higher carrying capacity too.

..... and I'd bet way more hunters than TN. Turkey season is a big deal in MO. Which is prolly why they have the best management plan in the country. They care about their resource.
Another thing not mentioned here is that, if my memory serves me, in MO in 2016 and 2017 they had several days of LOTS of
rain and flooding. Those conditions also take away from the hours available to hunt which makes that harvest total even more impressive. Another thing to think about MO harvests are down considerably. I can remember years of 50,000+ and the hunting was phenomenal. If you haven't hunted MO birds, you should. I remember a bird that gobbled over 200 times on the limb, it was crazy. Yes, he died.

 

[Roost 1]

SCN and Andy are stealing all the mic drops

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it's so hard to converse with you guys because you're all so hung up on trying to gang up on someone with a different opinion, even if they agree with you on most of your own points. And the mike drop after a statement that does not logically apply really shows me how much i should listen to YOUR opinion. By the way, took a friend yesterday, 200acre farm, 4 longbeards, 3 jakes, couldn't count the hens. 1:00 he got a bird. We were there 30 minutes, no decoys. Calling in turkeys is SO tough.


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Get away from that cow feeder and things will toughen up a little. :tu:
Doesn't it seem odd to you that you are the only person on this forum bragging about an abundance of turkeys?
I know lots of guys that hunt your area with a differing opinion.

 

[MickThompson]

If it does not sound familiar, you must have conveniently forgotten the numerous posts TN turkey hunters made on this forum over the last few weeks where they would like to see a season that opened later (like Missouri), a reduction in statewide spring bag limit (like Missouri), and a shorter season (like Missouri). You put in place the 50% reduction that Missouri has, both in number of turkeys (4 vs 2), and number of days (44 versus 21), as well as sound turkey management based on broad surveys and hunter feedback solicited through post season surveys, and you and others will most likely never hear another ill comment towards the crutches of blinds, decoys, fans and 75 yard sniper guns. Instead, we like to erroneously use harvest data and make a crutch incentivized free-for-all hunting season with unsustainable bag limits and wonder why we are seeing reduced turkey (hen and gobbler) populations all across the state.

Don't forget hunting in MO ends at noon!!!!
Yes. It's obvious they care about their birds.
43,000 + in just 21 half- days of hunting is great number. (2017)

As mentioned, TN is 60% the size of TN. 60% of 43000 is roughly 26000.


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[Goodtimekiller]

SCN and Andy are stealing all the mic drops

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it's so hard to converse with you guys because you're all so hung up on trying to gang up on someone with a different opinion, even if they agree with you on most of your own points. And the mike drop after a statement that does not logically apply really shows me how much i should listen to YOUR opinion. By the way, took a friend yesterday, 200acre farm, 4 longbeards, 3 jakes, couldn't count the hens. 1:00 he got a bird. We were there 30 minutes, no decoys. Calling in turkeys is SO tough.


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Get away from that cow feeder and things will toughen up a little. :tu:
Doesn't it seem odd to you that you are the only person on this forum bragging about an abundance of turkeys?
I know lots of guys that hunt your area with a differing opinion.

Once again, you guys do not really listen, you read into everything what you want to read. I had stated in the past that i was seeing the average amount of birds on the farms i hunt. I am sorry if several of the farms i have available to hunt are cattle farms, let me just give up some hunting land. Oh i will when you guys quit being so jealous. I was not bragging, its called giving a report of what i was seeing but you guys get so butt hurt that others have better spots than you or something, i dont know. I try to make a simple, truthful comment and you guys go nuts. The farm i was on yesterday, no cows, sorry. Oh yeah, ive shot several on ft campbell, no cattle. Ive gone out of state diy and always filled my tag on public land, no cattle. It's pretty sad, roost1 i offered to give up a full day on saturday to let you go with me to see some of these farms, you must be afraid of cows because you never replied. Oh, let me say this, i asked a few people this weekend if they were on the tn deer turkey forum, about every response i got was "no it's full of crybabies, people who think they know more than anybody else." Dang if that isn't true. As i've said multiple times, no, not even worth it.


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[Goodtimekiller]

SCN and Andy are stealing all the mic drops

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

it's so hard to converse with you guys because you're all so hung up on trying to gang up on someone with a different opinion, even if they agree with you on most of your own points. And the mike drop after a statement that does not logically apply really shows me how much i should listen to YOUR opinion. By the way, took a friend yesterday, 200acre farm, 4 longbeards, 3 jakes, couldn't count the hens. 1:00 he got a bird. We were there 30 minutes, no decoys. Calling in turkeys is SO tough.


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Get away from that cow feeder and things will toughen up a little. :tu:
Doesn't it seem odd to you that you are the only person on this forum bragging about an abundance of turkeys?
I know lots of guys that hunt your area with a differing opinion.

and a lot of those guys probably greatly overhunt their farms and take no interest in building nesting habitat and thinning nest predators.


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[AT Hiker]

No, the mic drop was in relation to the fact that MO game and fish manage the birds in a manner that is proven to be sustainable, according to current trends in research.
The same thing many of us on here would like to see TN go towards.

Maybe I shouldn't have used Obama, he tends to get a rise out of people on this forum.


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