Youths totaled 3,660 turkeys

Department of Conservation

Thousands of Missouri families are enjoying turkey dinners, compliments of hunters age 15 and younger. The harvest during Missouri's third youth spring turkey season April 12 and 13 totaled 3,660 birds.

The youth harvest topped last year's figure by 558 and was 1,130 more than the first year the youth hunt was offered. As in the two previous years, youth hunters got the job done without a single hunting accident.

Laclede County led the state with 81 turkeys checked, followed by Franklin County with 77 and Texas County with 76. Regional totals were: Central, 645; Northwest, 483; Southwest, 462; Ozark, 458; Northeast, 457; Kansas City, 450; Southeast, 367; St. Louis, 338.

The season was open to Missouri residents 15 and younger.