Missouri Department of Conservation

Turkey Regulations

How We Set Turkey-Hunting Regs

Roughly every five years we survey turkey hunters to gauge their attitudes about regulations and other turkey-hunting issues. We combine survey results with established management principles to help shape future regulations and season structure.

As a result of this process, we open the season on Monday and restrict the bag limit to one bird the first week and one bird per day during the second and third weeks (for a total bag limit of two birds). This helps reduce the number of hunters in the woods on any given day. Regulations restricting hunters to the use of shotguns and to shot size no larger than No. 4 are intended to reduce the severity of accidents.

Regs Can Change, So Review the Spring and Fall Summaries Every Year

Regulations may change from year to year, so review them before each season. Use this section to find spring and fall turkey-hunting information, how to use Telecheck, tagging and checking procedures, and the current summaries booklets.

Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations

Get up-to-date regulations, check the outlook and find out what's new for this year's spring turkey-hunting season.

Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations

During the fall turkey-hunting season, wild turkeys may be pursued, taken, killed, possessed or transported only as outline in the Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, which is available in PDF format on this website and in print form from permit vendors and Conservation Department offices.