There's no real way to sugar-coat the 2018 spring turkey hunting season in Missouri, which looks like it could go down, statistically speaking, as the worst one in a long, long time.
If hunters can't squeak out nearly 4,200 more kills before it closes Sunday afternoon, the season likely will end up being the worst one the Show-Me State has experienced in two-plus decades.
Gobbling remains mostly sporadic from day to day, even as weather conditions have improved dramatically, so it's hard to get a pattern on a bird. Still, with more hens going off to nest, things could change quickly.
So far, the statewide harvest, as of Wednesday afternoon, was 28,884 birds.
Locally, Carter County hunters have killed 174 turkeys, and 194 have been taken in Ripley County.
Butler County has given up 88 birds, and the tally in Stoddard County is at 172.
Dunklin County hunters have tagged nine gobblers, and in Wayne County, 293 birds have taken a truck ride.
Fortunately, the weekend weather forecast looks pretty good for a change, so there's hope of a strong finish.
Straight Shooters
Poplar Bluff High School's trap team continues to shine, earning several podium finishes during last weekend's Paul Larsen Memorial Shoot at Linn Creek, Mo.
With more than 950 shooters competing, Poplar Bluff's A Squad, composed of Dylan Hale, Franklin Davidson, Hannah Cash, Hunter Seal and Connor Becker, earned second place overall with a combined score of 467 (out of 500) in the high school division.
Poplar Bluff's B Squad, comprised of TJ Abney, Cattarah Caringer, Tayler Hillis, Jon Pike and Andrew Miller, took the third spot in the high school division with a score of 462.
The Poplar Bluff Junior High A Squad took second place in the junior high division with shooters Kason Henderson, Austin Stoner, Garret Cooper, Trenton Patterson and Brett McCoy. The squad's combined score was 453.
Individually, Hale was second place sophomore with a score of 97 out of 100, while Caringer earned second place in the ladies division with a score of 97. Junior-high shooter Stoner also earned a second-place finish in the junior high division with a score of 93.
The team will compete again on May 19 at the ATA Home Shoot.
Still Good
Good crappie fishing continues at Wappapello Lake, and I've seen some slabs from Clearwater Lake as well.
The water temperature should be getting close to optimal for spawning, so the crappies should be found pretty shallow.
Wappapello continues to fall about 6 or 7 inches per day and was at 361.75 feet at last check Wednesday afternoon.
Clearwater Lake's seasonal pool changed from 494 to 498 feet on Tuesday, and the lake is pretty much right where it should be.
Big Turnout
A whopping 79 boats fished last weekend's Wappapello Bass Circuit tournament, and except for a little wind, conditions were great for the event.
Winning the day was the team of Mike Allison and Matt Allison, who brought 18.92 pounds to the weigh-in scales. The pair's winning weight was aided by the day's big bass, which weighed in at a hefty 6.78 pounds.
Second place was earned by Gale Breckenridge and Doug Cheatham with 16.09 pounds, and third place went to Banqert and Williams with 13.59 pounds.
The fourth spot was taken by Hardin and Seiter with 13.54 pounds, and the top five was rounded out by Livingston and Livingston with 12.26 pounds.
The second-largest bass of the day weighed 6.19 pounds and was caught by Slinkard and Carpenter.
The organization will fish again on May 19.
Angler's Choice
For competitive fishermen, the Angler's Choice circuit will host a bass tournament on Sunday at Wappapello Lake, based out of the Chaonia Landing ramp.
The launch time has been scheduled for 6 a.m. or possibly earlier if there's safe light, and the weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m.
Tournament Director Ken Owens can get you signed up by calling him at 573-820-3715.
Groundhog Season
For those of you who've been eagerly awaiting Missouri's groundhog season, and you know who you are, you're in luck. Beginning Monday, you'll be able to legally take those hairy vermin.
A good .223 rifle for long shots or a .22 for closer ones would be good medicine, and you'll likely find the rodents hanging around cut fields.
Bird Walk
If you have an interest in birds or learning about them and their importance, Mark Twain National Forest biologist Megan York-Harris will be leading a bird walk May 12 in conjunction with World Migratory Bird Day.
During the walk, York-Harris said, participants will learn to identify birds not only by sight, but also by the sounds and calls they make. Some background information also will be presented on the species found.
The walk will take place in the local area, she said, but the specific location hasn't been determined yet.
Participants are asked to bring binoculars, boots, appropriate clothing, snacks and water.
If you might be interested, call the Mark Twain National Forest's Poplar Bluff Ranger District office at 785-1475 to register.