Although time is short, (deadline is 3/1/13) there are still vacancies for youths 11-15 interested in attending the Governor's Youth Spring Turkey Hunt that will take place over the 4/5-7/13 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

2013 Governor's Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Timeline

2013 Governor's Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Application

Youth Turkey Hunt Application 2013

It is time once again to start making plans to attend the annual state chapter banquet. Come for happy hour, sneak a peek at the new 2013 banquet merchandice, and enjoy a great meal. We will also be presenting chapter awards for top performers of the 2012 banquet year. Tickets are $25 per person, we will be at Tan Tara on 1/5/13, and the doors open at 5:00 p.m.

if you have any questions or would like to reserve a spot, contact your Regional Director.

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 the last 2 springs and the state board decided to offer it again in 2013.

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 next 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 $7.00/bag for beans and milo.

Note: Placing an order, especially this coming year, does not garantee that you will get seed. This is a national program and we do not know how much seed will be made available. We are anticipating that the severe drought in the Midwest will have an effect on availability. However, we do have some milo and corn left over from last year so if you are interested in getting seed, orders on existing seed will be filled first come first served.

The Missouri State Board of Directors is accepting nominations for positions on the State Board of Directors. Ballots will be included in the November issue of the Show Me Gobbler, with term to begin in 2013. State Board meetings are held quarterly, in Columbia, Missouri. This is a great opportunity to be a part of our organization, provide a voice in key decisions, and assist in evaluating Superfund requests for funds to enhance habitat and support our mission. I encourage any member interested in becoming a bit more involved, to go to our website at www.monwtf.org review the information for State Board nominations, and complete the information requested.

Form Link.

State Board Nomination Request Form

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

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

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.