Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows hunters checked 45,475 birds during Missouri’s 2026 regular spring turkey season, which ran from April 20 through May 10.
The top harvest counties during the regular season were Macon with 979 birds harvested, followed by Callaway with 926 and Franklin with 879.
Youth hunters harvested an additional 5,255 turkeys during the spring youth weekend held April 11 and 12, bringing the statewide total spring harvest to 50,730 birds.
According to MDC Wild Turkey Biologist Nick Oakley, strong carryover from the 2023 hatch and a solid 2024 hatch helped boost the adult turkey population entering the season.
While this year’s total harvest was slightly below 2025 numbers, MDC officials say the 2026 harvest still ranked about 6% higher than the average harvest totals dating back to 1998.
Last year, Missouri hunters harvested 51,011 total turkeys during the spring season.
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