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.
As an avid outdoorsman and turkey hunter in Missouri, the youth turkey season is one of my favorite times of the year. As both a parent and hunting mentor, I find sharing my passion for the outdoors with the next generation to be extremely rewarding. That’s why I’m often asked by parents and youth hunters alike, when is youth turkey season in Missouri? In this article, I’ll provide all the key details on the youth turkey season including dates permits, legal methods and more.
Overview of Missouri’s Youth Turkey Season
Missouri’s youth turkey season takes place each spring typically starting on the Saturday before the regular spring turkey season opens. It is a special weekend reserved just for young hunters ages 6-15. Youth hunters are allowed to harvest one bearded turkey during the youth weekend.
The purpose of the special youth season is to give young hunters the opportunity to go out and hunt turkeys in Missouri with less competition from adult hunters. The weekend timeframe allows parents, mentors, and guardians to take youth out into the field and give them a safe, educational, and ethical introduction to turkey hunting.
When is Youth Turkey Season in Missouri in 2023?
For 2023, Missouri’s youth turkey season will take place on April 8-9. The regular spring turkey season will then open on the third Monday in April which is April 17 in 2023.
- April 8-9, 2023 – Youth Turkey Season
- April 17, 2023 – Opening day of regular Spring Turkey Season
The youth turkey season always takes place on the weekend prior to the regular opening day. So for future planning, you can expect it to follow a similar timeframe each spring in Missouri.
Youth Turkey Hunting Permit Requirements
Any youth hunter between the ages of 6-15 can participate in the youth turkey season as long as they have a Spring Turkey Hunting Permit. Permits can be purchased starting in mid-March each year from numerous vendors around the state or directly from the MDC website.
The Spring Turkey Hunting Permit is an over-the-counter permit and can be used for both the youth weekend and the remaining weeks of the regular spring turkey season. So a youth hunter can harvest a bird during the youth weekend and then continue hunting during the regular season with the same permit.
Youth hunters will need to print or carry an electronic copy of the permit with them while hunting.
Legal Methods for Hunting Turkeys in Missouri
Youth turkey hunters must abide by the same methods and equipment rules as adult turkey hunters in Missouri. Legal methods include:
- Shotguns with #4 shot or smaller
- Vertical bows like recurve, longbow, or compound
- Crossbows
- Atlatls
Some prohibited methods during both the youth and regular spring turkey seasons include:
- Electronic calls
- Baiting
- Dogs
- Night vision equipment
So when taking a youth hunter out during the special youth weekend, be sure to only utilize legal methods of take. Ethics and safety should be top priorities for any new turkey hunter.
What to Expect During the Youth Turkey Season
The youth turkey season provides a great experience for young hunters. The woods are all theirs for that special weekend! Without the added hunting pressure from adult hunters, the youth season allows young hunters to really listen and be tuned into the turkeys.
Success rates are usually pretty good during the youth season as gobblers are still flocked up in the early spring. Take your favorite turkey fan out during youth season and pass on the traditions of the spring woods! The memories of their first turkey harvest will last a lifetime.
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?
Archery turkey season opens on September 15 and runs through November 15, then reopens on November 27 and runs until January 15, 2025. The fall firearms turkey season runs from October 1 to 31 in counties where it is allowed. Hunters should note that turkey permits are no longer included with archery deer permits.
When can youth hunt in Missouri?
Persons under eleven (11) years of age may not purchase firearms deer and turkey hunting permits except as provided in subsection (1)(F) of this rule (see 3 …
What day is youth turkey season?
Youth Spring Turkey Hunt: March 23 – March 24 and May 6 – May 12, 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?
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 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.
Can a youth Hunt a Turkey?
Youth hunters who are age 6-15 on opening day may hunt. Youth may also hunt during the regular Spring Turkey season. You may take only one turkey during the first weekIf 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.
Is it illegal to hunt a Turkey in Missouri?
Hunting birds with corn or other feed is banned in Missouri. Primed areas remain primed for ten days after bait removal. If a hunter knows or should know the site is primed and takes or attempts to take a turkey, they are in breach. Baiting others is also illegal. Mineral cubes without grain or meal products are allowed.