When’s Turkey Season in Missouri? Your 2024-2025 Hunting Guide

Turkey hunting is a beloved tradition for many Missourians. As the 2024-2025 season approaches, hunters are eager to get back into the field and bag some birds. This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about Missouri turkey season dates, regulations, changes, and more to help you have a successful hunt.

Overview of Turkey Season Dates

Turkey season in Missouri consists of a spring and fall season with different segments for archery, firearms, and youth hunters Here are the key dates for 2024-2025

• Spring Youth Portion: April 6-7, 2024
• Regular Spring Season: April 15 – May 5, 2024
• Fall Archery: September 15 – November 15, 2024 and November 27, 2024 – January 15, 2025
• Fall Firearms: October 1-31, 2024

Changes and Updates for 2024-2025

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has implemented some regulation changes and updates hunters should be aware of for the upcoming season

• Extended Hours for Spring Turkey on Private Land: Hunters can now hunt turkeys from half an hour before sunrise until sunset on private land, offering increased opportunity. Public land retains the 1 p.m. closure time.

• Proposed Fall Turkey Permit Requirement: The MDC has proposed requiring a separate fall turkey hunting permit for both archery and firearms turkey hunting. Turkeys would no longer be included in the archery deer permit.

• Proposed Fall Turkey Bag Limit Reduction: There is also a proposal to reduce the fall turkey bag limit from 4 birds to 2 birds of either sex.

These fall proposals are open for public comment until March 2nd, 2024 on the MDC website.

Spring Turkey Hunting

The regular spring turkey season runs for 3 weeks from April 15th to May 5th, 2024. Some key regulations for spring include:

• Bag limit of 2 bearded turkeys total, only 1 can be harvested the first week
• Legal shooting hours are now all day on private land, still close at 1 p.m. on public land
• Only bearded turkeys or turkeys with visible beard may be harvested
• Turkeys must be telechecked like deer within 24 hours

During the youth weekend April 6-7, youth under 16 can harvest 1 bearded turkey statewide following the same check andtelecheck procedures.

Fall Turkey Hunting

Missouri offers ample fall turkey hunting opportunities spanning archery and firearms seasons:

• Archery runs from September 15 – November 15, 2024 and again November 27 – January 15, 2025
• Firearms fall season is October 1-31, 2024

If the proposed regulation changes are approved, the fall bag limit will be reduced to 2 turkeys of either sex for both archery and firearms seasons combined. Be sure to check final regulations before your hunt.

Fall firearms turkey hunting will remain closed in certain counties. Refer to the MDC regulations for exact details.

Turkey Hunting Permits and Licenses

Don’t head to the field without the proper permits! Here are the expected permit requirements for 2024-2025:

• Spring turkey hunters need a spring turkey hunting permit
• If proposals are approved, a fall firearms turkey permit and fall archery turkey permit will be required instead of using the archery deer permit
• Small game hunting license or firearms hunting permit required along with turkey hunting permits
• Hunter education certification required if born after 1967
• Conservation Order Number for online checking and Telecheck

Consult the MDC Hunting and Fishing app or website for official details on permits, licenses, regulations and requirements before your hunt.

Tips for Hunting Success

With the right preparation and hunting strategies, you can have an exciting and successful turkey season:

• Scout and set up: Locate flocks and identify roosting spots earlier in year before season arrives. Set up ground blinds or tree stands near identified areas.

• Use decoys and calls properly: Place hen decoys where you expect turkeys to enter. Use owl and crow calls before daylight and wait for gobbles. Use hen yelps and cutting as they fly down.

• Play the wind: Make sure wind is in your face. Turkeys have excellent eyesight and sense of smell. Avoid detection.

• Be patient: Don’t give up if you don’t score early. Persistence pays off.

Follow the rules, use proper safety precautions, respect the animal, and you’ll have an awesome time in the spring woods pursuing these challenging birds!

Get Ready for Turkey Season

As you can see, Missouri offers excellent opportunities for spring and fall turkey hunting. Now is the time to start preparing and get excited. Mark those calendars for opening day and be sure to provide your feedback on proposed regulation changes. With smart preparation and the right mindset, you’ll have a fantastic turkey season this year. Good luck on bagging your Missouri gobblers!