EARLY SPRING COULD FAVOR TURKEY HUNTERS

COLUMBIA -- A strong hatch of wild turkeys last year, a late turkey season this year and unusually warm weather so far this spring could add up to excellent conditions for Missouri turkey hunters.

Larry Vangilder, turkey biologist at the Missouri Department of Conservation research center in Columbia, says hunters have several factors in their favor this year.

"Last spring we had the best hatch in four years," he says. "That should mean lots of jakes (year-old male turkeys) in the woods this spring."

Vangilder says time is on turkey hunters' side this year, too.

Missouri's turkey season always begins on the Monday nearest April 21. This year's season -- April 24 through May 7 -- is as late as it ever falls. That increases the chances that most turkey hens will be sitting on nests and therefore unavailable to gobblers. "It's a lot easier to call in a gobbler if you don't have to compete with a bunch of hens for his attention," says Vangilder.

This year's mild spring weather also is in hunters' favor.

Vangilder says the number of turkeys harvested normally is higher in years when spring comes early. Early springs are better for turkeys, too, because they promote an abundance of tender young plants and insects that hens and young turkeys need for food.

Spring turkey hunting permits cost $10 for Missouri residents, $75 for non-residents. The bag limit is the same this year as in previous seasons, one male turkey or turkey with a visible beard from April 24 through 30 and one from May 1 through 7.

Only shotguns and longbows are permitted for turkey hunting. Hunting hours are from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. daily.

The only new turkey hunting regulation involves tagging procedures. In the past, transportation tags that came with turkey hunting permits were self-adhesive. This year, the tags have holes so they can be tied to the turkey's leg.

Hunters must bring string with them so they can tie on tags immediately after killing their birds.

"The transportation tags must remain attached to the permit until they are used," says Vangilder. "Detaching the transportation tag before you kill a bird voids the permit."

Turkey hunters who use shotguns also are required to attach the safety stickers from their permits to the receivers of their shotguns. These stickers, placed where hunters will see them when aiming, remind hunters to be sure of their targets.

Vangilder says this measure is one way that Missouri has reduced the frequency of turkey hunting accidents. Reported turkey hunting accidents went from 21 in 1989 to 14 in 1990, 16 in 1991, nine in 1992, seven in 1993, and six last year.