Out-of-state hunters driving change to Missouri turkey hunting regulations

MISSOURI, USA — A new proposed limit to Missouri’s turkey hunting season is being driven by the state’s increasing popularity with out-of-state hunters.

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s regulation change would reduce the number of turkeys that out-of-state, or non-resident, hunters can harvest in the spring from two bearded birds to a single bearded bird. Nonresident landowners would still maintain a two-bird limit, as long as only one was harvested during the season’s first seven days.

The department is seeking public comment on the proposed rule change from now until Nov. 7. Click here to leave a comment and learn more details.

Wild Turkey and Ruffed Grouse Biologist Nick Oakley told 5 On Your Side that state data shows that out-of-state hunters make up about 18% of total trips, or days out in the field, during hunting season. But some hunting areas in Missouri can comprise as many as 40% of out-of-state hunters’ trips.

“Past public comments and other feedback to MDC on the topic show that many turkey hunters highly value an uncrowded place to hunt,” the department’s website said. “Nonresident participation in Missouri’s spring turkey season has increased in recent years, and some resident hunters have expressed concern about how it is impacting their hunts.”

Turkey populations across the state are generally considered at healthy levels, according to the department’s 2025 Wild Turkey Brood Survey. Six of the state’s nine regions had two or more poults per hen, which the department said suggests a healthy hatch overall, despite the wet spring making nesting tough.