Submitted by Kyle Dick, Conservation Agent, Atchison County, MDC

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is asking Missouri turkey hunters to save and share feathers from birds they harvest this fall for part of a new research project to help improve wild turkey management in Missouri.

Hunters who successfully harvest a turkey during either the archery deer and turkey season (September 15 – November 13, 2020 and November 25, 2020 – January 15, 2021) or fall firearms turkey season (October 1  31, 2020) may voluntarily submit feathers from their turkey, at no cost to them.

If you are interested in submitting feathers from your harvested turkey, please retain the turkey carcass. You can also remove a wing from the turkey and several feathers from the lower portion of the breast if you prefer. Then, enter your name, mailing address, and Telecheck ID of the harvested turkey into the contact submission form online at mdc.mo.gov/turkeyfeathers. Participating hunters will need to include the Telecheck ID for the harvested bird to help MDC determine which Missouri county the turkey was harvested.

MDC’s Wild Turkey Management Program will mail you the packet of materials needed to submit your feathers. This packet will include an instruction form with diagrams explaining which feathers to submit from the harvested turkey. The packet will also contain a postage-paid envelope for the feathers to be placed inside and mailed back to MDC.

Turkey hunters who want to participate in the MDC research project can get more information and provide their mailing addresses at mdc.mo.gov/turkeyfeathers. They can also call MDC at 573-815-7901 ext. 2940, or email MDC’s Wild Turkey Management Program at wildturkeymgmt@mdc.mo.gov.