Turkeys: Seasons, Methods, Limits

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the seasons, methods, and limits for hunting wild turkeys. (1) Turkeys may be pursued, taken, killed, possessed, or trans ported only as permitted in this rule. (A) Spring Season and Youth Spring Season. A person pos sessing the prescribed turkey hunting permit may take two (2) male turkeys or turkeys with visible beards during the spring season and the youth spring season combined, except the Non resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit established by 3 CSR 105.565 (both regular and youth priced permits) is valid for only one (1) male turkey or turkey with a visible beard. A turkey tak en during a managed hunt will count towards an individual’s limit. 1. Spring Season. The spring season will be from April 20 through May 10, 2026. During the spring season the limits established by subsection (1)(A) of this rule shall apply, provided only one (1) turkey may be taken before April 27, 2026, and only (1) turkey may be taken per day, except a second bird may be taken before April 27, 2026, by youth hunters who are eligible to take two (2) turkeys and also harvested a turkey during the youth spring season. Turkeys may be taken only from onehalf (1/2) hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on public lands and from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset on private lands. 2. Youth Spring Season. The two- (2-) day youth spring season will be from April 11 through April 12, 2026. Any person possessing the prescribed turkey hunting permit and who is at least six (6) but not older than fifteen (15) years of age on the opening day of the youth spring season may take only one (1) male turkey or turkey with visible beard during the youth spring season. A turkey harvested during the youth spring season will count towards the limits established by subsection (1)(A) of this rule. Turkeys may be taken only from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset. 3. During the spring season and youth spring season turkeys may be taken only by shotgun, with shot no larger than No. 4, atlatl, crossbow, or bow; without the use of dogs (except for the recovery of wounded turkey as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410), bait, electronic calls, or live decoys. Possession of electronic calls or shotshells loaded with shot larger than No. 4 is prohibited while hunting turkeys. (B) Fall Season. The fall season is comprised of two (2) por tions. A person possessing the prescribed turkey hunting per mit may take only two (2) turkeys of either sex during the fall season. 1. Archery Portion: September 15 through January 15, excluding the dates of the November portion of the firearms deer season. Turkeys may be taken only by atlatls, bows, and crossbows; without the use of dogs (except for the recovery of wounded turkey as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410), bait, electronic calls, or live decoys; from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset. Possession of electronic calls is prohibited while hunting turkeys. 2. Firearms Portion: October 1 through October 31 in all counties except Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, and Scott. Turkeys may be taken only by shotgun, with shot no larger than No. 4; without the use of dogs (except for the recovery of wounded turkey as specifically au thorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410), bait, electronic calls, or live decoys; from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset. Possession of electronic calls or shotshells loaded with shot larger than No. 4 is prohibited while hunting turkeys. 3. A person, while in the act of pursuing or hunting turkey during the fall season, shall not have both a firearm and an atlatl, bow, or crossbow on his/her person except any person may carry concealable firearms, as defined in Chapter 571, RSMo, on or about his/her person while hunting. Firearms possessed under this exception may not be used to take wildlife. (2) Hunters who take a turkey shall void their permit immedi ately by notching the month and date of harvest and shall keep the turkey separate or distinctly identifiable from turkeys taken or possessed by another. When the turkey is not personally attended and prior to reporting through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System, the voided permit or proper label shall be attached to the turkey. Turkeys may be possessed and trans ported only by the taker until reported through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System. All turkeys taken shall be accurately reported by the taker or in the taker’s immediate presence through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System by 10:00 p.m. on the day taken. The Telecheck confirmation number shall be recorded immediately on the turkey hunting permit. The head and plumage of the turkey shall remain intact until the turkey is reported through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System. All turkeys shall be reported through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System prior to processing or being removed from the state. After reporting through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System, turkeys may be possessed, transported, and stored by anyone when labeled with the permit or any label that includes the full name and address of the taker, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number. (3) Bait shall mean grain or other feed placed or scattered so as to constitute an attraction or enticement to turkeys. An area shall be considered baited for ten (10) days following complete removal of the bait. (4) Resident and nonresident landowners as defined in 3 CSR 10-20.805 may obtain landowner turkey hunting permits from any permit vendor, but only after application to and approval by the department in accordance with 3 CSR 10-7.412. (A) Approved resident landowners may obtain the following permits at no-cost: one (1) Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit, one (1) Resident Landowner Archer’s Hunting Permit, and one (1) Resident Fall Turkey Hunting Permit. (B) Approved nonresident landowners may obtain the following permits at a reduced-cost: one (1) Nonresident Landowner Spring Turkey Hunting Permit, one (1) Nonresident Landowner Archer’s Hunting Permit, and one (1) Nonresident Landowner Fall Turkey Hunting Permit. (C) All landowner turkey hunting permits are valid only on qualifying property. Regardless of department approval to obtain or purchase landowner permits, all landowner turkey hunting permits are valid only if the holder is a resident or nonresident landowner as defined in 3 CSR 10-20.805 at the time the permit is used. (D) All landowners who take turkey on landowner permits may also purchase and fill other turkey hunting permits but must abide by seasons, limits, and restrictions. (E) All landowners taking turkeys on a landowner turkey hunting permit shall report the turkeys through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System as required in this rule. (5) Any person who kills or injures any wild turkey shall make a reasonable effort to retrieve the turkey and include it in his/ her season limit. (6) Turkeys (or parts thereof) reported in accordance with established procedures, when labeled with the full name and address of the taker, the date taken, and the Telecheck confirmation number of the turkey, may be possessed, transported, and stored by anyone. (7) Feral hogs may be taken in any number during the spring firearms turkey season and youth spring season only by the holder of a valid unused turkey hunting permit and only by methods and times prescribed for taking turkeys. During the fall firearms turkey season, feral hogs may be taken only by the holder of a valid, unused turkey hunting permit or a small game hunting permit and only by methods prescribed in Chapter 7 for taking wildlife and without the use of bait. Other restrictions may apply on public lands. Resident landowners as defined in this Code may take feral hogs on their own property at any time, by any method, and without permit. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Dec. 15, 1975, effective Dec. 31, 1975. Amended: Filed July 13, 1976, effective Aug. 12, 1976. Amended: Filed Dec. 20, 1976, effective Feb. 15, 1977. Amended: Filed July 29, 1977, effective Sept. 11, 1977. Amended: Filed Dec. 19, 1977, effective Feb. 15, 1978. Amended: Filed Feb. 23, 1978, effective May 15, 1978. Amended: Filed Jan. 2, 1979, effective Feb. 15, 1979. Amended: Filed July 30, 1979, effective Sept. 15, 1979. Amended: Filed Dec. 27, 1979, effective Feb. 15, 1980. Amended: Filed Aug. 1, 1980, effective Sept. 15, 1980. Amended: Filed Dec. 22, 1980, effective Feb. 11, 1981. Amended: Filed July 31, 1981, effective Sept. 11, 1981. Amended: Filed Dec. 14, 1981, effective Feb. 11, 1982. Amended: Filed July 27, 1982, effective Sept. 11, 1982. Amended: Filed Dec. 17, 1982, effective Feb. 11, 1983. Amended: Filed June 24, 1983, effective Aug. 11, 1983. Amended: Filed Jan. 30, 1984, effective March 11, 1984. Amended: Filed July 5, 1984, effective Aug. 11, 1984. Amended: Filed Jan. 4, 1985, effective Feb. 11, 1985. Amended: Filed July 8, 1985, effective Aug. 11, 1985. Amended: Filed Jan. 10, 1986, effective Feb. 14, 1986. Amended: Filed Jan. 31, 1986, effective March 1, 1986. Amended: Filed March 12, 1986, effective May 30, 1986. Amended: Filed June 25, 1986, effective Aug. 1, 1986. Amended: Filed Jan. 6, 1987, effective March 1, 1987. Amended: Filed June 10, 1987, effective July 11, 1987. Amended: Filed July 30, 1987, effective Sept. 1, 1987. Amended: Filed Dec. 22, 1987, effective Feb. 1, 1988. Amended: Filed June 7, 1988, effective July 11, 1988. Amended: Filed Jan. 10, 1989, effective Feb. 11, 1989. Amended: Filed June 1, 1989, effective July 1, 1989. Amended: Filed Aug. 8, 1989, effective Sept. 11, 1989. Amended: Filed May 10, 1990, effective Jan. 1, 1991. Amended: Filed May 10, 1991, effective Jan. 1, 1992. Amended: Filed Sept. 10, 1991, effective Feb. 6, 1992. Amended: Filed April 28, 1992, effective Jan. 15, 1993. Amended: Filed May 30, 1995, effective July 1, 1995. Amended: Filed May 30, 1995, effective Jan. 1, 1996. Amended: Filed Dec. 20, 1995, effective Jan. 1, 1996. Amended: Filed Oct. 25, 1995, effective March 30, 1996. Amended: Filed Aug. 23, 1996, effective Jan. 30, 1997. Amended: Filed Nov. 5, 1996, effective April 30, 1997. Amended: Filed July 9, 1997, effective March 1, 1998. Amended: Filed May 6, 1998, effective March 1, 1999. Amended: Filed June 11, 1998, effective March 1, 1999. Amended: Filed Sept. 30, 1998, effective Feb. 28, 1999. Amended: Filed April 24, 2000, effective Sept. 30, 2000. Amended: Filed July 19, 2000, effective Dec. 30, 2000. Amended: Filed Nov. 29, 2000, effective Dec. 12, 2000. Amended: Filed April 30, 2001, effective May 15, 2001. Amended: Filed Dec. 19, 2001, effective Jan. 1, 2002. Amended: Filed May 9, 2002, effective March 1, 2003. Amended: Filed March 6, 2003, effective March 17, 2003. Amended: Filed May 9, 2003, effective Oct. 30, 2003. Amended: Filed Oct. 29, 2003, effective March 30, 2004. Amended: Filed April 29, 2004, effective Oct. 30, 2004. Amended: Filed Dec. 21, 2004, effective Jan. 15, 2005. Amended: Filed Sept. 29, 2004, effective Feb. 28, 2005. Amended: Filed June 8, 2005, effective July 15, 2005. Amended: Filed May 23, 2006, effective July 1, 2006. Amended: Filed Aug. 23, 2006, effective Sept. 11, 2006. Amended: Filed May 21, 2007, effective July 1, 2007. Amended: Filed Dec. 17, 2007, effective Jan. 1, 2008. Amended: Filed Oct. 10, 2008, effective July 1, 2009. Amended: Filed Sept. 30, 2010, effective March 1, 2011. Amended: Filed Sept. 12, 2011, effective March 1, 2012. Amended: Filed May 25, 2012, effective Oct. 30, 2012. Amended: Filed Dec. 19, 2012, effective May 30, 2013. Amended: Filed June 4, 2013, effective Oct. 30, 2013. Amended: Filed Feb. 26, 2015, effective July 30, 2015. Amended: Filed Aug. 28, 2015, effective March 1, 2016. Amended: Filed March 14, 2016, effective Sept. 30, 2016. Amended: Filed June 1, 2017, effective Nov. 30, 2017. Amended: Filed Aug. 28, 2018, effective March 1, 2019. Amended: Filed June 17, 2019, effective Jan. 15, 2020. Amended: Filed Sept. 4, 2020, effective Feb. 28, 2021. Amended: Filed Dec. 10, 2021, effective Jan. 1, 2022. Amended: Filed Dec. 7, 2022, effective Dec. 31, 2022. Amended: Filed Dec. 21, 2022, effective May 30, 2023. Amended: Filed Dec. 8, 2023, effective Dec. 18, 2023. Amended: Filed Jan. 2, 2024, effective June 30, 2024. Amended: Filed Dec. 13, 2024, effective Dec. 31, 2024. Amended: Filed Dec. 12, 2025, effective Dec. 31, 2025. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.