Opening week shows limited progress for turkey population

By Chris Patch

Herald Tribune

Hunters bagged 22,308 turkeys in the first week of the 2008 season, slightly behind last year's 22,764, one of the smallest harvests in a decade.

The good news is this year's total didn't fall drastically hehind 2007, when a deep freeze in the first week of April changed turkey mating behavior, resulting in a small harvest. Missouri Department of Conservation research scientist Tom Dailey said considering this year's cold and wet conditions, the fact that the number didn't slide means the population hasn't been severely affected.

"Keeping up with last year's harvest is good news," Dailey said. "The state's turkey flock has had some tough breaks in recent years, especially last year."

The weather managed to cooperate enough for 7,000 birds to be bagged on opening day. For the week, Franklin county led the state with 459 turkeys. Osage was second with 414, Texas county recorded 411.

Vernon County bagged 258 turkeys over the week. Of the 258 there were 210 adult gobblers, 4 bearded hens and 4 juvenile gobblers. Conservation agent Shawn Pennington said Vernon County's numbers are down on account of unseasonably cool and wet weather.

"I'd say it's close to average," he said. "We may have been down a little bit but we'll start to pick up to make up for the difference. We've had late spring weather this year. All the rain has kind of played havoc with the turkey's habits."

Dailey predicted this season would mirror 2007 when hunters took 45,000 in the regular season. Typically the opening week accounts for close to half of the season total, putting 2008 on pace for more than 45,000. However, the numbers are always subject to mother nature.

"Weather is the least predictable factor in turkey harvest," Dailey said. "If we continue to have good weather, this year's harvest could be around 45,000 again. Wind, rain and colder-than-usual temperatures might cut into that a little, but we have a strong start."

Dailey said with the right conditions the turkey population can easily bounce back from the last year's setback and a strong spring harvest shouldn't keep the population from rebounding.

"With some luck, we will have average weather in May and June and the state's turkey flock will begin to rebuild," he said. "Turkeys are surprisingly prolific. Their numbers can bounce back within a few years with the right conditions."