The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking Missouri turkey hunters to save and submit feathers from birds they harvest this fall for a research project that will improve the ability to estimate turkey abundance across Missouri.
Hunters who successfully harvest a turkey during either the Archery Deer and Turkey Season or Fall Firearms Turkey Season can voluntarily submit feathers from their turkey at no cost.
Interested hunters are asked to retain a wing and 3-5 feathers from the breast after Telechecking their turkey. They will then be mailed a feather submission packet, including a postage-paid return envelope to submit feathers at no cost.
To receive a feather submission packet, hunters must register to participate at mdc.mo.gov/turkeyfeathers.
For more information on turkey hunting in Missouri, visit MDC online at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey.
MDC reminds hunters to be safe, follow rules during migratory bird season
The Missouri Department of Conservation is reminding hunters to follow regulations — including bag limits, shooting hours and carrying all necessary permits — and to always hunt safely during migratory bird season.
Dove season in Missouri runs through Nov. 29. Other seasons for other migratory birds include:
• Sora and Virginia rails season is now through Nov. 9;
• Teal season is now through Sept. 25;
• Snipe season is now through Dec. 16;
• American Woodcock season is Oct. 15 through Nov. 28.
“Please remember to be safe when hunting migratory birds,” said Russell Duckworth, MDC Southeast Protection Regional Supervisor. “Both dove and teal fly in groups and often are in low proximity to the ground. When swinging on birds, be aware of where other hunters may be and do not shoot at low flying birds. And always have your permit with you when hunting.”
The bag limit for doves this year is 15 total. Shooting hours for doves is one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. A small game hunting permit and a migratory bird hunting permit is required to hunt doves unless a person is under 16, over 65, or a resident landowner hunting on property that they own.
Teal season shooting hours are from sunrise to sunset. The bag limit for teal is 6 total for all species. To hunt teal, a hunter is required to have a Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and a Federal Duck Stamp.
If a hunter is under 16 years of age, they do not need any permits to hunt teal, said Duckworth.
“But they must hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult who is 18 or older who has valid hunter education, or was born prior to January 1, 1967, or the hunter under the age of 16 must have a valid hunter education card of their own,” he said.
For questions about hunting migratory birds, Duckworth said he recommends contacting your local MDC office.
More information on hunting doves and other game-bird species is available online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species.