Mark Twain NF and Salem MO area

[jtg88]

After years of putting this hunt off, I'm finally going to try MO.  I've been looking at hunting the Mark Twain NF east of Salem near Cherryville as well as the Indian Trail Conservation area.  Any input on bird numbers there or would I be better off looking to another part of the state.  My wife wants to go with me on this hunt and she is not an extremely experienced turkey hunter but she has been a trooper over the years as I've drug her through some nasty country. Initially, I was looking to use an outfitter so I could make sure she was on birds but we decided we can do a week long hunt on the NF for less than a 3 day outfitted hunt so we're going to give it a shot. Thanks for any tips.

[Fullfan]

This will be year 26 for me hunting that part of Missouri. The birds are coming back, but nothing like the early
90's. But with the birds come the hunters. Hunting in southeast Missouri can be a fun and challenging.

Go early and stay late, where you  walk the locals will drive, regardless  if it is a walk in area or not. Have had
many drive past me after I have walked in a mile or so.

You will get out of it what you put into it. And remember to take your fishing rod, the Current river has some great fishing..

[Ozark870Hunter]

I do all of my turkey hunting in the same area of MO. I hunt private near Licking, and just north of Salem. If you have never been, it's beautiful country. Be prepared for some ozark hill country hiking. Fullfan is spot on. There are birds to be had in MTNF, and you will get what you put into it.
Also another option not to forget, the Big Piney river runs through some fantastic prime and remote MTNF ground. You could rent a canoe from Riches Last Resort, or Wilderness Ridge, and float along while calling, then go after em, or make camp for a morning attack.
Do not forget to bring some fishing tackle. The hunting stops at 1 and you are in prime trout/smallmouth territory. 

[Greg Massey]

Years ago we did a lot of turkey hunting out of Alton Mo. in the Irish Wilderness and we camp for week at a time alone the eleven point river. it's some hard hunting and a lot of big hills etc. Also watch out for timber rattlesnakes and wild hogs..be sure to wear snake boots...we always carried a small boat to cross the river with and we also carried radios with us and had check in times..You also had to deal with the road hunters and people looking for mushrooms..

[turkey harvester]

The turkeys are definably coming back to the southern part of the state. Sooo much mtnf to hunt but normally not as many hunters as you would think. The hog population  down here are getting crazy but hey they eat good. I live 3 miles from the irish wilderness and it is some crazy big hills, but that detours a lot of hunters too.   

[Big perm2]

I've been hunting mark twain nf  around the licking area since 97 the first time I stepped out of the truck that April morning herd over 30 birds on the limb, been hooked ever since.. Beautiful country and great people up there!!  Can wait till April 20 I will be there that day!!


Talkem into given up!!!

[RemingtonRules]

I've been hunting mark twain nf  around the licking area since 97 the first time I stepped out of the truck that April morning herd over 30 birds on the limb, been hooked ever since.. Beautiful country and great people up there!!  Can wait till April 20 I will be there that day!!


Talkem into given up!!!

Get ready to have company with you when you post information for all to see.  I don't even tell my wife what I hear or where I killed one.  Sometimes I tell her I am going to see my girlfriend so she will not follow me to my hunting spot. 

[Big perm2]

If I'm not mistaken its 50,000 public acres just on that one county it will be ok


Talkem into given up!!!

[Hooksfan]

If I'm not mistaken its 50,000 public acres just on that one county it will be ok


Talkem into given up!!!

Don't underestimate the power of the internet. Kansas is an entire state that had better public huntinf than just about any other states private ground 10 years ago. Not the case anymore.
I am with RR on this one.

[nativeks]

If I'm not mistaken its 50,000 public acres just on that one county it will be ok


Talkem into given up!!!

Don't underestimate the power of the internet. Kansas is an entire state that had better public huntinf than just about any other states private ground 10 years ago. Not the case anymore.
I am with RR on this one.

Couldn't have said it any better.

[RussM311]

Success breeds interest.....  as the internet has grown and hunters have had access to data from so many different sources, our "honey-holes" have become public domain. And as hunters have become more savvy about using Google Earth and other resources, the pure joy of planning a hunt has become as much fun as the hunt itself. Just smile and enjoy your new hunting friends.

[turkeywhisperer935]

As bad as I hate to admit it some of these boys are right. Natchez Trace wma in west TN was a great turkey hunting spot when you had to get drawed. They opened it same as state wide a few years ago and it's never been the same. Been years since I sat up on a bird there but I also don't hunt it religiously.