NORTHEAST REGION
Missouri's northeast region has long been at the top of the heap in turkey harvest numbers. In 2007, the region ranked first in terms of turkey harvest numbers, with a total of 7,671 birds taken during the spring. The 17 counties that make up this region include Adair, Audrain, Clark, Chariton, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby and Sullivan. The top three counties in harvest numbers in this region were Adair (666), Macon (647) and Knox (558).

The northeast region didn't do as well in productivity in 2007, posting the state's second-worst poult-to-hen ratio at 0.8:1. Despite poor productivity in spring 2007, don't overlook it as a hunting hotspot.

OZARKS WEST REGION
The 15-county Ozarks West region finished second in the state in overall spring turkey harvest in 2007 with 7,191 birds killed. The 15 counties that make up the Ozarks West region include Barry, Camden, Douglas, Howell, Laclede, Marion, McDonald, Miller, Ozark, Phelps, Pulaski, Stone, Taney, Texas and Wright. The top three counties in this region were Texas (822), Wright (599) and Howell (595).

This area led Missouri in turkey production in 2007 with a 1.3:1 poult-to-hen ratio. The strong poult count, combined with high 2007 harvest figures, bodes well for the region. Keep your eyes open for a place to hunt in this area of the state.

NORTHWEST REGION
This 19-county region finished in third place in terms of spring harvest numbers in 2007. The counties that comprise this region are Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Platte, Ray and Worth. The top three counties for spring harvest numbers were Carroll (580), Ray (526) and Harrison (510).

The poult-to-hen ratio in this region was 0.9:1, coming in at a three-way tie for fifth place and tied for the second-worst in the state in 2007. Keep your fingers crossed for better nesting conditions here in 2008, and keep an open mind about spring turkey hunting prospects in this region.

LINDLEY BREAKS REGION
This 12-county region finished in fourth place in turkey harvest number in the spring of 2007. The counties comprising this region include Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Cooper, Franklin, Gasconade, Jefferson, Moniteau, Osage, Perry, Sainte Genevieve and St. Louis. The top three counties in this region were Franklin (878), Sainte Genevieve (720) and Osage (691).

This region tied for fifth place in productivity in 2007, posting a 0.9:1 poult-to-hen ratio. I can personally vouch for the few young turkeys produced in Lindley Breaks this year, as this region is where I live and often hunt.