THE WEEKEND HUNTER: APRIL 14-15 ARE YOUTH HUNTING DAYS

Great day for Missouri youngsters. The Missouri Department of Conservation will have a turkey hunting season for children 15 and younger. The two-day youth-only spring turkey hunting season will be April 14 and 15.

This will allow Missouri youngsters to experience turkey hunting in a state rated No. 1 in the nation by the National Wild Turkey Federation's magazine the "Turkey Call." The new turkey season will be open to state residents. This season will open each year on the Saturday nine days prior to the spring turkey season.

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.

The youth-only season, hunters may harvest one tom turkey with a visible beard with a shotgun.

Further details on the youth-only turkey season will be published in the Spring Turkey Hunting Information booklet, available at permit vendors.

Remember Be safe and have fun with your kids.

(TOP 10 LIST)

Golden rules of turkey hunting

1. Safety -- Always be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

2. Have fun -- Don't take it getting or losing a bird to seriously, Remember this is recreation not a job, never stop learning.

3. Take a kid hunting -- If you are safe, having fun then you can share it with a very special person a kid. They are the future

4. Respect the animal and the outdoors -- Remember this is a living thing that was smarter than you and the only one of its kind. You just got lucky. Respect the outdoors it's the only one we have.

5. Respect your landowner -- Remember it's his land not yours. How would you feel if he walked into your house without asking.

6. Respect the other hunters -- If someone else is there already go somewhere else. There are plenty of birds.

7. Don't move, be patient -- He is just out of sight, and he knows what you are thinking. Patience is a virtue.

8. Scouting -- Know the area you are hunting. It makes it safer and establishes the first part of luck. Being prepared.

9. Practice -- Practice your calls or shooting. You never know, you may have to switch hands.

10. No set rules -- Remember the turkey makes all the rules. You are just in the game."

Allen Morris is a local free-lance writer. He maintains the hunting Web site www.southmosportsmen.com.