NWTF Chapters...it is time once again to consider sponsoring one of your local youth to attend the annual JAKES spring turkey youth hunt. This event will be held at Camp SEMO in Wappapello MO over the MO youth turkey season weekend. This fun filled weekend is being made available for up to 10 kids. Youth and their guardian will arrive Friday afternoon 3/30/12 and spend the rest of the weekend receiving outdoor education instruction as well as participate in a guided spring turkey hunting experience.

For more information call event coordinators Rob Stover 573-450-1577 or Charlene West 573-426-6331 and/or refer to the attached information below.

2012 JAKES Spring Turkey Hunt Information

2012 JAKES Spring Turkey Hunt Registration Form

Although time is short, (deadline is 3/9/12) there are still vacancies for youths 11-15 interested in attending the Governor's Youth Spring Turkey Hunt that will take place over the 3/30-4/1/12 Missouri youth turkey season weekend. For more information and an application please refer to the attachments below...don't miss out on this opportunity of a lifetime!

Send your completed application and brief letter to John Burk at jburk@nwtf.net or mail it to 7152 Tomahawk Lane, Steedman, MO 65077

2012 Governor's Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Timeline

2012 Governor's Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Application

The NWTF's seed program is called Conservation Seed and the state board expressed interest in expanding this program in Missouri. Many folks took advantage of this program last spring and the state board decided to offer it again this year.

The seed program is a member benefit program. If you are not currently a member and would like to take advantage of the savings this program affords you in the spring and fall please contact your Regional Director using the contact information under the "people" tab on this site and they will sign you up.

If you would like to order milo, RR corn, or RR soybeans for planting this spring, send an e-mail to jburk@nwtf.net specifying your name, address, phone number, and number of 50 lb. bags you would like. Cost will be $15.00/bag for corn and $6.00/bag for beans and milo.

Each year, citizen volunteers and MDC staff record the number of wild turkey hens and poults that they observe during June, July, and August. These observations are used to determine the success of the hatch, which is the driving force in determining wild turkey abundance. Based on the total number of hens (including hens that do not have poults) and poults observed, a poult/hen ratio is calculated, which is simply the average number of poults per hen. These data serve as an index of turkey production and can be examined across years to determine long-term trends in the success of the hatch.

Relatively dry conditions during June and July, coupled with an emergence of protein-rich turkey food in the form of periodical cicadas, set the stage for ideal renesting and brood-rearing conditions throughout much of Missouri this year. The 2011 statewide poult/hen ratio of 1.7 represents a substantial improvement over the relatively poor hatches of the past several years, and is 42% higher than the previous 5-year average. The 2011 ratio exceeded the previous 5-year average in all Turkey Productivity Regions, except the Mississippi Lowlands (see map below). Especially notable improvements occurred in the Northeast and Lindley Breaks regions, where this year’s poult/hen ratio was 110% and 92% higher than the previous 5-year averages, respectively.

A good turkey hatch throughout much of Missouri is certainly great news for fall turkey hunting enthusiasts. Fall hunting provides a tremendous opportunity to pursue wild turkeys in the setting of Missouri’s beautiful fall woods. Relatively few people fall turkey hunt in the Show-Me State, which means that fall turkey hunters may just have the woods to themselves. In 2010, just 13,500 hunters purchased fall firearms turkey permits, compared to the 101,000 permits purchased this past spring. Last year’s statewide fall firearms turkey harvest numbered 5,928.

Download:

2011 Brood Survey Results Map

It isn't too early to make plans for the 2012 Missouri State Chapter Awards Banquet. Come join us at the Tan Tara Resort on 1/7/12 and see fellow volunteers receive awards for their exemplary work during the 2011 banquet season!

Tickets are $25 per person and the doors open at 5:00 p.m.

For hotel reservations call 573-348-8557 and there will be a block of rooms reserved until 12/30/11.

Contact your Regional Director for more information.

See you at the Lake!

The 5 year gobble study that was initially proposed to continue through 2011 has been discontinued. A minimum number of volunteers was necessary for statistical validity and participation rates declined annually since 2007 when the project was initiated. Data voids geographically and annual holes within the survey period (during the season) presented annual challenges that were an initial concern.

Although the study did not produce statistically usable information as initially hoped, the first 3 years of data collection did provide some interesting insite into state-wide gobbling activity.

See the below document for details.

Gobble Study Document

The George Clark Missouri State Chapter is proud to announce the development of a new conservation license plate. Specialty plates help raise funds for special causes and, if approved, the NWTF Hunting Heritage Plate will help increase available dollars for habitat and outreach efforts throughout Missouri. See the attachments below for further information and plate design.

Hunting Heritage License Plate Information

If you would like to reserve yours today please email John Burk.

The current issue of our newsletter is available for download by following this link Show-Me Gobbler.