TWO TURKEY-HUNTING RULE CHANGES

JEFFERSON CITY -- Spring turkey hunters should be aware of two regulation changes affecig their sport, according to DeeCee Darrow, wildlife management specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Darrow said this is the first time there has been a minimum age for purchasing a turkey permit. No one younger than 11 years will be allowed to purchase a turkey permit. The same regulation will apply to deer and turkey hunting this fall.

The other regulation prohibits hunters from removing the transportation tag from their turkey hunting permit before killing a bird. If the tag is removed early, the permit is void.

The age restriction is designed to make turkey hunting as safe as possible. The tagging provision is intended to prevent the use of tags to take more than the legal limit.

Everything else is the same as last year. The limit is one bearded bird each week of the season April 19 through May 2. Shooting hours run from 6 a.m. through 1 p.m. daylight time. Only longbows or shotguns loaded with No. 4 or smaller shot may be ued. Dogs, bait, recorded calls or live decoys are prohibited.