For the most part, it seems like turkey hunters in Southeast Missouri just can't catch a break with the weather, forcing them to either stick it out in wet, windy conditions or just stay home. There have been good days here and there, but they're the exception.
Just over halfway through the season, the harvest remains well off last year's, with 20,008 taken across the state so far. At this point last year, the total number of birds taken buy hunters was around 26,000, so it's easy to see this season is shaping up to be a dud overall.
So far, hunters in Carter County have taken 116 birds, and in Ripley County, the total is 140.
Butler County hunters have tagged 64 turkeys, and 127 have been killed in Stoddard County.
Wayne County tops the region with 204 birds killed, and seven have been taken from Dunklin County.
Just like last year (and probably the year before that), hunters are saying they're generally not hearing much gobbling, if any at all. With lower bird numbers, older gobblers and a late spring, that really should be expected, though it seems to fluctuate daily.
The thing hunters need to do is stick it out and keep trying because things can change quickly. With the woods still extra open, it's probably also a good idea not to go traipsing all over the country trying to strike a bird. Instead, get in early where you know they should be, based on scouting, and park yourself there to do some cold calling. Despite the quiet, there certainly are birds around, and there's a good chance a gobbler might just sneak in quietly on you.
With that said, the season continues through May 6.
Still Catching 'Em
Looking at a graph of the water level fluctuations at Wappapello Lake would make a roller coaster enthusiast drool, with the constant up-and-down changes in the water for the last couple of months.
The lake got down to about 363.2 feet on Monday before it started rising again. Fortunately, the rise was short-lived and the lake crested Wednesday around 364.7 feet.
Somehow, however, anglers still have been able to consistently catch good numbers of keeper crappies.
A friend has been taking good fish in water ranging from 1 to 6 feet deep, usually around brush piles, and with the water finally warming, the fish should be spending more time in the skinny water.
Clearwater Lake, fortunately, did not rise after the latest rains and instead continues on a very slow but steady fall toward it's normal pool of 494 feet. As of Wednesday afternoon, it was at 502.25 feet and dropping about an inch or two daily.
Snagging Closure
If you're still snagging paddlefish from the area's rivers, the season closes Monday. The exception is in the Mississippi River which remains open through May 15.
I've seen some nice fish taken from both the Black and St. Francis rivers, especially before those waters got up high.
The paddlefish season on the Mississippi River will run again Sept. 15-Dec. 15, but those fishing on the local rivers will have to wait until next March.
Sifford Winners
Twenty-eight teams fished last weekend's Chris Sifford Memorial Crappie Tournament, hosted by the Wappapello Crappie Club, which raised funds for scholarships for Puxico High School seniors.
Four $500 scholarships were awarded at the event, and this year's recipients were seniors Kaitlyn Haynes, Shelby Richmond, Madison Caldwell and Colton Reinert.
The team of Musgraves and Musgraves were the tournament winners, bringing in a 9.5-pound stringer to the weigh-in.
Second place went to Fowler and Fisher with 7.71 pounds, and third was earned by Denson and Buckley with 7.38 pounds.
The day's biggest crappie was caught by Hill and Green and weighed in at a whopping 2.31 pounds.
The Wappapello Crappie Club's next tournament will be held May 12.
Bass Circuit
The Wappapello Bass Circuit will hold a tournament Saturday, with fishing from the Redman Creek ramp.
The take-off is slated for 6 a.m., with weigh-in set for 3 p.m.
As always, a pre-event meeting will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at the Wappapello VFW, north of the dam, to determine boat numbers.
If you want to get registered for the event, call Justun Buchanan at 573-429-6312.
Sunday Tourney
On Sunday, the East Ozarks Bass Club will host a tournament on Wappapello Lake, with fishing from the Chaonia Landing ramp.
Fishing is scheduled to run from 6:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
I don't have any contact info for the event, but you may be able to get what you need by calling Dallas Rich at Chaonia Landing.
Mushroom Event
For those who are interested in learning about Missouri's various wild mushrooms, the Southeast Chapter of the Missouri Mycological Society, in conjunction with the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, will be hosting a mushroom foray and study on the refuge Saturday morning.
The event will begin at the visitor center at 9 a.m., after which participants will go onto the refuge to look for as many species of mushrooms as they can find.
They also will learn about the food and medicinal value of mushrooms and also which ones to avoid.
Participants are asked to bring comfortable boots, bug spray, proper clothing for the conditions and, if possible, a hunter orange vest for safety.
Dawn Lover is the president of the Southeast Chapter of the Missouri Mycological Society and can be reached at 573-727-6440 or 607-244-0711 for more information or to pre-register. You also can call Corey Kudrna at the refuge visitor center, 573-222-3589, to get registered.