Turkey Statistics 2006

2006 Spring Season

Spring turkey is a hunt that gets in your blood and takes over. Only a dedicated turkey hunter can appreciate the thrill of hearing your first gobble and the depressing feeling of another spring season coming to an end. By the number of phone calls, it appeared we were down with the total number of hunters, but the final count ended up pretty close to the 2005 season with 175 in Missouri, 159 in Kansas and 17 in Iowa. 76 members hunted more than one state, but only six members attempted to hunt all three states. Out of the 6 that hunted all three states, two of those six members were fortunate enough to fill all 5 tags with mature gobblers.

Like every season, some of the turkey hunters could not do wrong, while others could not do right, This year, instead of blaming the toms for being hened up, we’re going to hold the weather responsible for letting so many toms survive the season. In Kansas early April was unseasonably warm and windy while the first 10 days of Missouri turkey season brought rain and cool weather. Despite the adverse weather conditions, many dedicated hunters weathered the storm and eventually found success.

For the first time, we had a bird harvested that weighed the most and at the same time had the longest beard. This beast of a turkey weighed 32 pounds and had a 12 and 10-inch beard. Several other turkeys were reported 25 pounds or larger, but 12 inches was the longest beard and the most beards were 5 on one bird. The 2005 record 1 7/8ths inch spur still stands, but several limb hangers were reported with spurs 1 ½ + inches.

Our turkey hunting success ratio still remains a little over one bird per hunter with a 2006 total of 317 birds, but we always like to include a reminder of how difficult turkey hunting can be if you don’t find yourself in the right place at the right time. This year, the longest it took a member to tag a turkey was 14 days and the most days hunted without a bird was 13 days.

We would like to congratulate a first year family member with two dependents who purchased 13 tags and filled 12 out of 13 with mature toms, with the 12th tag being filled the last day of the Kansas turkey season.

Shaun and the rest of the staff always enjoy working with everyone during the spring turkey season. It was a pleasure again this year. Thanks for the support!

Hey guys -

Just a quick note and a couple of pictures regarding the incredible [location deleted] turkey season. On my first day to hunt, the birds were gobbling from the roost very "loud and proud". I had planned to set up part way in the timber at the [location deleted] County property I reserved, but birds started gobbling all around me and I was afraid I would bust them if I went any further. It was honestly the most gobbling I had ever heard in my life and it all went just like you dream about all winter long. The turkeys pitched down maybe 50 yards in front of me and came straight to me. 2 hens and 4 gobblers, all in strut. I picked out the one that was spitting and drumming. When it was over and I checked my watch it was 5 minutes into the legal shooting time. For some reason I had the crazy notion I wanted to try to get into work as soon as possible that day so I took a few photos and left with birds still gobbling in the area.

Day number 2 resulted in the most memorable bird I have ever taken. Again, there was lots of gobbling off the roost, but it ended almost as soon as the turkeys hit the ground. I had set up on the windy side of the timber line, and for a while was afraid the turkeys all went the other way. But not to worry. I made a couple of soft calls and a bird gobbled and started drumming directly behind me! I knew I could never turn around and get a shot off so I went silent, and heard him move off. I turned around and called a few more times and soon 3 gobblers arrived. I picked out the nearest one and my second turkey hunt was over 30 minutes after sunrise. When I picked up the bird I immediately realized something special about him. He has 4 distinct beards! This is my first multi-bearded bird! His main beard was a full 10 inches, and the smallest over 4.

My only regret is that the spring turkey season is over so soon; not that I am complaining! Thanks again for everything. Doug D

All turkey hunting pictures and account are at courtesy of members. We greatly appreciate each and every one of them.

Each and every turkey hunting account sent in by self guided turkey hunters shows the value they find in their MAHA hunting membership. Reading several turkey hunting accounts will each provide a slightly different perspective on that value gained.

Thanks for the good turkey hunting article Doug, interesting tactics.

See more of Doug's turkey hunting success

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