SPRING TURKEY TAKE IS CLOSE TO A RECORD

Jefferson City -- Even with unseasonably cold and wet weather, the 1995 spring turkey kill almost tied last year's take.

Hunters took 37,472 bearded birds during the two week season, down only 446 from last year's record setting season of 37,918.

Top three counties this year were Texas with 912 birds; followed by Franklin with 885; and Macon with 816. The North Central region led the turkey harvest with 6,187. Other regions and their harvest were, Northeast with 5,315; Central, 5,021; East Central, 4,713; West Central, 4,403; Ozark, 4,229; Northwest, 3,400; Southeast, 2,520; and Southwest, 1,684.

Unfortunately, 1 fatal and 11 nonfatal accidents occurred during the season.