Missouri - 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.
Missouri - Turkey hunters who use the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) MO Hunting free mobile app will need to perform an app update to telecheck harvests for spring turkey season. The new versions will provide updated turkey telecheck information.
Both Apple and Android users will need to install the app update to telecheck turkey harvests. Apple users must have at least the iOS 9.0 version to use the updated MO Hunting app. Android users must have at least Android 5.0.
The youth spring turkey season runs April 8 and 9 and the regular spring turkey season runs April 17 through May 7. Learn more at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey and from the MDC “2017 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations & Information” booklet, available at MDC offices and nature centers and other locations where permits are sold.
MO Hunting is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. For more information, go online to mdc.mo.gov/mohunting.
Hunters can buy permits through MDC’s MO Hunting app and from numerous permit vendors around the state such as gas stations, convenience stores, sporting-goods and other retail stores, many MDC offices, and all MDC nature centers. Hunters can also buy permits online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits. Hunters can save time by buying permits for multiple people in a single transaction by selecting the “Additional Customer” option during the permit purchase.
Women can discover nature through rabbit hunting
Puxico, Missouri - The Valentine’s Day weekend is the perfect time for Southeast Missouri women to relax and have fun hunting rabbits, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The annual Women’s Rabbit Hunting Clinic is scheduled for Feb. 11, beginning at 8 a.m., near Duck Creek Conservation Area.
“This is a very hands-on course and is an environment where anyone can learn, even if they’ve never fired a gun before,” said Conservation Agent Mic Plunkett.
The clinic begins with an introduction to rabbit hunting, where the women learn rabbit species identification, hunting techniques, safety and regulations. They then learn how beagles assist in hunting rabbits before testing their shooting capabilities with expert instruction.
"We ensure each participant gets an opportunity to target shoot with one-on-one instruction before we take them to the field to hunt,” Plunkett said.
After target practice and classroom instruction, the group is accompanied by guides while they try their hand at hunting rabbits. At the end of the day, there’s instruction on cleaning and cooking the harvest before the new hunters share their hunting stories.
Plunkett said those who sign up should come prepared for camaraderie, shared adventures and excitement.
"Every part of the clinic is designed to take someone through the whole experience step by step to ensure safety, a fun time and an understanding of why hunting is important,” Plunkett said.
“This rabbit hunting clinic is part of the Conservation Department’s mission to help people discover nature by spending time outdoors,” Plunkett said.
For more information and to sign up for the Women’s Rabbit Hunting Clinic, call the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573) 290-5730. For more information about rabbit hunting in Missouri, go online to mdc.mo.gov/hunting.
Top harvest counties were Howell, Franklin, and Texas.
Missouri - Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 185,066 deer during the November portion of fall firearms deer season, Nov. 12-22. Of the 185,066 deer harvested, 95,383 were antlered bucks, 18,889 were button bucks, and 70,794 were does. Top harvest counties were Howell with 3,910 deer checked, Franklin with 3,738, and Texas with 3,562.
Last year, hunters checked 186,542 deer during the 2015 November portion of firearms deer season with 90,094 being antlered bucks, 20,911 being button bucks, and 75,537 being does.
MDC reported three firearms-related hunting incidents during the fall firearms November portion. Two of the three incidents involved self-inflicted firearm wounds and occurred in Barry and Camden counties. The third involved one hunter in a party in Grundy County wounding another while shooting at a deer.
Deer hunting in Missouri continues with archery deer hunting from Nov. 23 through Jan. 15, firearms late youth portion Nov. 25-27, firearms antlerless portion Dec. 2-4, and firearms alternative methods portion Dec. 24 through Jan. 3.
Top harvest counties for opening weekend were Franklin, Howell, and Texas.
Missouri - Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 96,131 deer during the opening weekend of the November portion of the fall firearms deer season Nov. 12 and 13. Of the 96,131 deer harvested, 55,753 were antlered bucks, 8,873 were button bucks, and 31,505 were does.
Top harvest counties for opening weekend were Franklin with 2,041 deer checked, Howell with 1,950 and Texas with 1,939.
Last year hunters checked 97,002 deer during the opening weekend of the 2015 November portion of firearms deer season.
The November portion of fall firearms deer seasons continues through Nov. 22. Archery deer season opens again Nov. 23 through Jan. 15, 2016. The late youth portion of firearms deer season runs Nov. 25-27. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs Dec. 2-4. Lastly the alternative methods portion will run Dec. 24- Jan. 3, 2017.
Missouri offers some of the best deer hunting in the country and deer hunting is an important part of many Missourians’ lives and family traditions. Deer hunting is also an important economic driver in Missouri and gives a $1 billion annual boost to the state and local economies.
Article by the Missouri Conservation Department. Provided photo of Dace Wisdom and his first deer!
