news
JEFFERSON CITY--Missouri youngsters soon will have a turkey hunting season of their own. The Missouri Conservation Commission has established a two-day youth-only spring turkey hunting season to begin in 2001.
The goal of the new season is to provide opportunities for youngsters to experience turkey hunting without the pressures of the normal season. The new turkey season will be open to state residents ages 15 and younger. The youth-only season will open each year on the Saturday nine days prior to the Spring Turkey season. In 2001, it will be April 14 and 15.
Teens who have a Resident Turkey Hunting Permit may hunt in both the youth-only season and the Spring Turkey Season. Children 12 and younger also may participate in both the youth-only hunt and the spring turkey season with a Youth Deer and Turkey Hunting permit. Preteens must hunt in the immediate presence of a licensed adult hunter who has successfully completed hunter education training.
During the youth-only season, hunters may harvest one turkey with a shotgun. Shot may be no larger than No. 4. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time. Like other turkey hunters, youth hunters are restricted to killing male turkeys or turkeys with visible beards.
Youths who harvest one bird on a Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit during the youth-only season may not take another turkey until the second or third week of the regular spring turkey hunting season. Those who harvest a bird on a Youth Deer and Turkey Hunting Permit during the youth season may not take a second bird during the regular spring turkey season.
Further details on the youth-only turkey season will be published in the Spring Turkey Hunting Information booklet. These will be available March 1 at permit vendors statewide.
- Arleasha Mays -
Uploaded: 12/4/2000
Uploaded: 12/4/2000