GOOD BIRD NUMBERS FOR SPRING TURKEY SEASON

JEFFERSON CITY -- Turkey hunters may look to the heavens this spring to gauge their chances for successful hunts. Some may seek divine intervention. Many will look for signs of rain in light of Larry Vangilder's statement that mild spring weather could lead to a good turkey harvest.

Vangilder, a wildlife research biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), says there will be a good number of birds to harvest. The spring turkey season will give hunters their first good opportunity to take birds hatched in 1994.

"We had a pretty good hatch in '94," says Vangilder. "Now those birds are entering their first year as adults, so the prospects are good. But a lot depends on the weather in March and during the season. If it's really rainy and cold, hunters are less likely to get out, and the weather could affect gobbling activity."

The weather is not the only thing hunters should be mindful of this spring turkey season. They also should be aware that the MDC booklet, "Wildlife Code of Missouri" contains incorrect information on the length and bag limits for the season.

The code book and MDC's hunting and trapping summary booklet had gone to print before the Conservation Commission repealed an extension of the spring turkey season. In December the Commission voted to return the season to two weeks and the bag limit to one bearded bird during each week of the spring hunting season. Supplements to the code book and regulation summary provide correct information about turkey regulations. The supplements are available where permits are sold.

The spring turkey season runs from April 22 through May 5. Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. Turkeys may be taken by shotgun with shot no larger than No. 4, or by longbow. The use of dogs, bait, recorded calls or live decoys is prohibited.

For more information on spring turkey hunting regulations, write to: Wildlife Division, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.