Turkey Statistics 2004

Once again, another spring turkey hunting season is behind us and many turkey hunters enjoyed success with or without tagging a bird or pulling the trigger.

The turkey population has really come a long way over the past 20 years. For the record, in 1983 out of 25+ hunters turkey hunting Association private land, only one spring turkey was harvested on an Association lease. Over the past three years combined we have harvested close to a total of 1,300 toms. That’s impressive progress.

Over the past 10 years, the membership has shifted from 90% residents of Missouri and Kansas, to close to 50% non-resident turkey hunters from all over the USA. The majority of non-resident turkey hunters come in for three to five day hunts while many of the residents are able to pick and choose days to hunt throughout the entire season.

The turkey hunter success ratio seems to be a little slimmer for many of the first year members as they are not as familiar with the different regions of land to choose from, but as the year’s pass their turkey hunting success rate seems to improve rapidly.

Many turkey hunters only hunt a day or two attempting to fill one tag, while others buy 4 to 5 tags and do everything possible to fill all of them. This year, only one member attempted to fill 5 tags and he was able to fill 3 of them, and 11 members were fortunate enough to fill 4 out of 4 spring turkey tags.

The largest bird reported was 26 ½ pounds. The longest beard was 12 inches. Many multiple beards were taken with the turkey having the most at 4 beards. Two 1 5/8” spurs were measured at the office and one was from a proud youth turkey hunter.

The quickest a member filled 4 over the counter turkey tags was 4 days. The most days spent to harvest one tom was 19 days. The most time spent not harvesting a bird was 13 days. For the novice or most experienced turkey hunter, spring turkey hunting season can be quick and easy one year and long and drawn out the next.

The total number of turkey hunters dropped a little this year to 345, which included about 1/3rd of the same hunters turkey hunting multiple states. The total amount of birds harvested during the 2004 spring season was 407, which averaged 1.18 birds/hunter compared to 1.4 during the 2003 season.

The decline in the turkey hunting success ratio was not due to a lack of action or turkeys, but rather a shift in members hunting for quality birds and enjoying the beauty of the hunt over the kill. Jakes don’t realize how lucky they are roaming MAHA property. We’re proud of the quality of our turkey hunters and hope to continue this trend for many years to come.

Shaun, our secretary, enjoyed her first season handling the hunting reservations. She wanted to thank everyone for their patience and friendly attitude throughout the spring season.

Hen turkeys and a jake as seen from a natural blind during an Association staff hunt.

Great to watch them when they do not know you are there.

Through the trees river bottom turkey hunting - about as thick as the trees get.

2006 2005 2003 2002 2001