Clinic aimed at teaching youths about turkey hunting

The month of March is very nearly over, and April soon will be upon us. If you live in Missouri, April is synonymous with turkey hunting because both of our spring turkey hunting seasons occur in April.

The regular spring season is April 19 through May 9.

The Youth-Only Spring Turkey Hunting Season is April 10-11, and a special Youth Turkey Hunting Clinic is scheduled for Saturday.

Last year, Missouri youths harvested 3,660 birds during the two-day season, which is limited to residents 15 or younger on opening day. Details for this year can be found in the 2004 Spring Turkey Hunting Pamphlet available from permit vendors statewide.

Those youths who don't have experience hunting turkey can mark April 3 on the calendar.

The clinic, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, will teach youths how to hunt the elusive and exciting eastern wild turkey. Participants will learn about the history and biology of the eastern wild turkey in Missouri. They also will learn how to safely and effectively turkey hunt. The event will culminate in a guided turkey hunt during the youth or regular season. Each participant will have their own experienced turkey hunting guide. Loaner shotguns and ammunition will be provided.

The clinic schedule includes: Early morning turkey locating; turkey habitat and biology; pre-hunt preparation; hunting strategies and equipment; post-hunt activities; ethics and laws; and shotgun patterning.

The event will be at the Apple Creek Conservation Area and Jackson HighSchool. It is scheduled to begin at 4:30 a.m.

All participants must be between 11 and 15 years of age. Participants should be beginners to the sport. All participants must be or become hunter education certified before the hunt. For information about hunter education classes in your area, contact any office of the Department of Conservation or visit the Department's website at www.missouriconservation.org.

All hunt participants must purchase a youth deer and turkey hunting permit ($17) or regular turkey hunting permit ($17) prior to the hunt.

Participants must have a parent or guardian attend the clinic and hunt with them.

In order to participate in a guided hunt, participants must attend the entire clinic.

To register and for more information, contact Mark Gihring at the Department of Conservation, 2302 County Park Drive in Cape Girardeau or by phone at 290-5730.

Gene Myers is an agent with the Missouri Department of Conservation.