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 sport in Missouri, with thousands of hunters eagerly awaiting opening day each spring. But with different seasons, permits, regulations, and more, it can get confusing on exactly when you can hunt wild turkeys in Missouri. This complete guide breaks it down so you’ll know everything about Missouri turkey seasons.
Overview of Turkey Seasons in Missouri
There are three main turkey seasons in Missouri
-
Spring Turkey Season – This is the most popular season, open to all turkey hunters. It takes place for 3 weeks in April/May.
-
Fall Turkey Season – A more limited season for archers and firearms hunters, open for the month of October.
-
Youth Turkey Season – A special weekend in early April for hunters age 15 and under to hunt before the regular spring season opens
Turkey can also be hunted during the general archery deer season from mid-September through mid-January
When is Spring Turkey Season in Missouri?
The regular spring turkey season is open for 21 days, usually starting around April 15th and running through early May.
For 2024, the dates are:
- April 15 – May 5, 2024
This is the peak time for turkey hunting in Missouri, when gobblers are actively seeking hens to mate with. Hunting pressure is high during the spring season, but success rates can also be good with the right skills.
When is the Youth Turkey Season?
Missouri offers a special youth turkey season on the weekend prior to the opening of the regular spring season. For 2024, the youth dates are:
- April 6-7, 2024
This season gives hunters age 15 and under the chance to hunt turkeys before everyone else. They must be accompanied by an adult mentor who cannot carry a weapon. It’s a great opportunity to introduce kids to turkey hunting.
When is Fall Turkey Season?
Missouri has a fall firearms turkey season in October:
- October 1-31, 2024
Archery methods can also be used. This season sees less hunting pressure than the spring. Turkeys form flocks rather than breeding pairs in the fall. The foliage can make the hunting more challenging.
Hunting Turkeys During Archery Deer Season
Turkey is open year-round during archery deer season in Missouri. The dates for 2024 are:
- September 15 – November 15, 2024
- November 27, 2024 – January 15, 2025
So bowhunters chasing deer can also harvest turkeys opportunistically during this time. However, the spring and fall seasons are better for more dedicated turkey hunting.
Permits Required
In addition to your hunting license, a turkey hunting permit is required during the spring and fall turkey seasons. You must fill out the permit upon harvesting a turkey.
Several options are available:
- Spring turkey hunting permits for the spring season only
- Fall firearms turkey permits for the fall season only
- A general small game hunting permit covers turkeys during the fall archery season
Regulations and Safety Tips
Be sure to review the turkey hunting regulations before the season opens. Some key rules include:
- Only shotguns and archery methods allowed. No rifles.
- Hens are illegal to harvest in the spring. Only bearded turkeys are legal.
- Fluorescent orange required when firearms turkey hunting.
- Don’t stalk roosted turkeys. Move away and call them off the roost instead.
- No electronic calls permitted in Missouri.
Proper safety precautions are also critical. Hunt safely and ethically for an enjoyable turkey season.
Best Areas to Hunt in Missouri
South Missouri tends to have the highest turkey populations and success rates. The Ozark regions offer excellent habitat. But good numbers of birds can be found statewide.
Public hunting areas to consider include Peck Ranch Conservation Area, Current River Conservation Area, and Mark Twain National Forest. Of course, scouting areas ahead of the season is advised.
Get Ready for Turkey Season!
Following the spring and fall turkey season dates in Missouri ensures you don’t miss out. Review the rules and regulations as the opening day approaches. Sharpen your calling skills. And most importantly, be safe and ethical when chasing wild turkeys. If you do, you’ll be ready for a great hunt when turkey season rolls around!
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.
Turkey in the Woods – Spring Turkey Season in Missouri
FAQ
When can you hunt turkey in Missouri?
What are the changes to turkey season in Missouri 2024?
What county in Missouri has the most turkeys?
Where is the best turkey hunting in Missouri?
Can you hunt a Turkey in Missouri?
Hand-held string-releasing devices, illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights are allowed. Flood-prone areas in southeast Missouri are closed to all hunting during spring turkey season when river levels exceed certain limits on local river gauges. To see if an area is closed for hunting, visit mdc.mo.gov/semofloods.
Are deer & turkey hunting dates set for 2024-2025?
Jefferson City, Mo. (KHQA) — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has set the deer and turkey hunting dates for the upcoming seasons. The MDC recently set turkey and deer hunting dates for the 2024-2025 seasons. The hunting dates were approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission at its December 8 open meeting in Jefferson City.
When is turkey hunting season?
(B) Fall Firearms Season. Fall season annually will be October 1 through October 31. A person possessing the prescribed turkey hunting permit may take two (2) turkeys of either sex during the season.
Why are turkeys declining in Missouri?
Although Missouri still boasts one of the largest wild turkey populations in the nation, turkey numbers in the Show-Me State have declined since their peak in the early-to-mid 2000s. Based on recent research, poor production — not poor survival or overharvest — appears to be the greatest contributor to turkey population declines.