Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that hunters checked 2,169 turkeys during Missouri’s fall firearms turkey season from October 1 through 31.
According to a news release, last year’s harvest total was 2,899.
Top harvest counties this year were Greene with 57, Henry with 48 and Laclede with 47.
In the KMMO listening area, Lafayette led with 18 birds checked; Chariton with 17; Carroll and Howard with 13 each; Saline with 12; and Cooper and Pettis with nine each.
MDC’s turkey biologist Jason Isabelle says the low harvest total can be attributed to several years of poor hatches. Another factor he says is declining hunter participation. This year, 10,262 fall firearms turkey hunting permits were purchased. During the peak year of 1987, nearly 53,000 permits were purchased.
Fall archery turkey hunting continues through November 9 and resumes from November 21 through January 15, 2019.
For fall firearms turkey harvest results by county, go online to MDC’s website at http://on.mo.gov/1jjz7Ew.

Photo provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation.