Missouri Turkey Hunting page 5

A Missouri landowner, in this case a retired farmer who also held a nearby 40 hour a week job, called us and described his acreage, cover type, usage and what he has seen on the land, that in this case included turkey. His description appealed to us and his land was in the right Missouri turkey region where we look for land.

On visiting with the landowner and walking about the acreage He took us over a ridge that showed this field at the bottom of a small valley.

He described how he used to cut the hay for cattle when he farmed, however since retiring he has let it grow. He comment how he has found turkey nests in the grass indicated by the flushing hens when he takes the occasional tractor ride about the farm. The landowner, a non-hunter, did not recognize the impact of that last statement on us. In this case John Wenzel took a two hour walk about the perimeter of the field and found enough turkey tracks, droppings and feathers concentrated in one locality of good sized trees to complete the picture.

As a bonus was the spring fed creek partially seen in the picture above. It had enough algae growth to support the landowners claim it was a year round running creek.

The neighbors place 40 acres away was an active grain farm that completed the combination we always seek. That is turkey flock anchoring nesting cover, roost, water and food all in a relatively small area. Add to that the lease would cover a good bit of acreage with the additional bonus of being accessed by a black top road making it an all weather farm. And, it gets better. There is not another road adjoining this property.

The grass field the landowner told us held the turkey nests looking down toward roost trees not very well seen in the far ground. While the grass cover may seem un-impressive right now as this picture was taken in March give it two months of spring weather and it will be exactly what hens seek to nest within.

A picture of a late summer jake group. While just a small point in isolation this Missouri turkey sighting combined with earlier experience within this area adds up to knowledge where the better turkey hunts should be