With Missouris current hunting season winding down, hunters may already be making preparations for next year. Prepare those vacation requests, because the dates for the 2024-2025 hunting season have been determined, along with a few adjustments to state hunting regulations.
The Missouri Conservation Commission set hunting dates, approved changes to spring turkey hunting season with extended hours and granted initial approval of proposed additional changes to the fall turkey hunting season at its Dec. 8 open meeting in Jefferson City.
Turkey hunting is a popular pastime in Missouri that allows hunters to get outside and enjoy nature while pursuing wild turkeys during designated hunting seasons. One such season is the spring youth turkey season, which gives young hunters ages 6-15 a special opportunity to hunt turkeys before the regular spring season opens. If you’re wondering when youth turkey season takes place in Missouri, here are the key details:
An Early Spring Opportunity
The Missouri Department of Conservation designates a special weekend-long youth turkey season that takes place each year in mid-April, prior to the start of the regular spring turkey season. For 2023, youth turkey season will occur on April 8-9.
This early season gives young hunters a chance to get out in the field and gain valuable experience hunting wild turkeys in Missouri before the widespread hunting pressure of the regular spring season begins. The season is designed to be accessible even for hunters as young as 6 years old (when accompanied by an adult mentor), introducing the next generation of sportsmen and women to this time-honored tradition.
Youth-Only Hunting
Importantly, only licensed youth hunters between the ages of 6-15 may hunt during the youth turkey season. The season is not open to adult hunters except those accompanying a youth as their supervisor. Both the youth and adult mentor must have the appropriate hunting permits.
This arrangement allows young hunters to have a more relaxed and productive hunt during this special weekend, before the woods fill up with the multitude of adult hunters pursuing turkeys come opening day of spring turkey season. It makes for a safer less crowded hunt overall.
Limits and Regulations
Youth hunters are allowed to harvest one bearded turkey during the youth season If successful, they must tag their turkey and have it telechecked like any other turkey taken during the year Youth who harvest a bird during youth season can take only one turkey total for the first week of regular season later in April.
The youth season has all the same methods, limits, and regulations as the regular spring turkey season. Young hunters must hunt from one half-hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. Only approved methods like shotguns, archery equipment, or atlatls may be used. And they must comply with regulations like blaze orange requirements as well.
Apply for Permits
To hunt during Missouri’s youth turkey season, hunters age 6-15 must apply for and receive a Spring Turkey Hunting Permit. Additionally, they must carry their Hunter Education Card or Apprentice Hunter Authorization, unless exempted. There is no separate permit for the youth season.
Applications are open now for 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Permits. The deadline to apply is March 1. Permits can be purchased starting March 15 through opening day. Apply early to secure your youth’s permit in time for this special season.
An Exciting Opportunity
Missouri’s youth turkey season is an exciting chance for the next generation to experience this beloved outdoor tradition in the Show Me State. By acquainting youth with responsible hunting practices, it ensures the future of the sport.
So take a young hunter out this April and make memories during Missouri’s youth turkey season! With the right preparation and permits secured ahead of time, you’ll be ready to enjoy a youth-only hunt before the crowds arrive later in spring.
Proposed changes to fall turkey hunting season
While not yet finalized, the MDC has proposed that both fall firearm turkey hunters and fall archery turkey hunters be required to purchase a fall turkey-hunting permit. Turkeys would no longer be included in the archery-deer permit.
In addition, the bag limit would be reduced from four to two birds. Currently, hunters can harvest up to four birds of either sex without a beard requirement. While the hen harvest level does not have a negative impact on the statewide turkey count, at the property level, hen harvest may have an impact on the future population, according to the release.
These proposed changes will be open for public comment Feb. 2-March 2 on the MDC website.
Changes coming in the spring
For the spring 2024 turkey shooting season, those hunting on private land will now be able to do so all day — from a half hour before sunrise until sunset. The shooting hours will remain the same on public land running from a half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m.
With hunter participation on the decline and 88% of Missouri’s annual spring turkey harvest done on private land, the Missouri Department of Conservation hopes this change will help hunters who may be at work or school in the morning hours to participate.
The 1 p.m. closure was added decades ago to help the turkey population rebound, according to an MDC news release. Almost every other state in the Midwest and Southeast has moved to an all-day season since seeing their turkey populations restored.
Missouri Youth Turkey Season 2022
FAQ
Is there a youth turkey season in Missouri?
The two- (2-) day youth spring season will be from April 6 through 7, 2024.
What are the changes to the Missouri turkey season in 2024?
Lowe said the biggest change for 2024 is the new fall hunting permit for turkey. The archery deer and turkey permits are now separate; archers must use the fall turkey hunting permit to take turkeys.
What day does youth season start in Missouri?
Hunters aged between 6 and 15 years old on the opening day of the early youth portion are allowed to hunt during this season. The dates run from November 2, 2024, to November 3, 2024 (early) and again from November 29, 2024, to December 1, 2024 (late).
What day is youth turkey season?
Youth Spring Turkey Hunt: March 23 – March 24 and May 6 – May 12, 2025. Archery Season: May 6 – May 19, 2025.
When are youth days in Missouri?
The youth days will occur on April 6 and 7, and the Missouri Spring regular season will run from April 15 to May 5. What is the bag limit for turkeys during the Missouri Spring season? One bearded or male turkey may be taken in one sack during the Missouri Spring season.
When can youth hunters harvest a second Turkey?
Youths who take a turkey during the youth season may not harvest a second bird until the second Monday of the regular season. This is because the bird taken during the youth season counts as the first bird for the first week of the regular season. Youth hunters who are age 6-15 on opening day may hunt.
Can youth hunt turkeys?
Youth hunters who are age 6-15 on opening day may hunt. Youth may also hunt during the regular Spring Turkey season. One male turkey or turkey with visible beard Youths who take a turkey during the youth season may not harvest a second bird until April 24.
Can you hunt a Turkey in Missouri?
See 3 CSR 10-7.432 and 3 CSR 10-7.455 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. One-half hour before sunrise to sunset Fall firearms turkey hunting is not permitted in Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, and Scott counties. Two turkeys of either sex, both may be taken on the same day Fall Firearms Turkey Hunting Permit
Can a child Hunt a Turkey in Mississippi?
Youth may also hunt during the regular Spring Turkey season. If you do not take one during the first week, then you may take two turkeys during the second and third week. You may not take two turkeys on the same day. Fall firearms turkey hunting is not permitted in Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, and Scott counties.
Can you hunt a Turkey during fall season?
The fall turkey hunting permit allows for two turkeys during fall turkey season (archery and firearms portions combined). Some counties are closed to firearms hunting during the firearms portion. Youths who take a turkey during the youth season may not harvest a second bird until the second Monday of the regular season.