WEST PRAIRIE REGION
This 14-county region, which includes Barton, Bates, Cass, Dade, Greene, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lafayette, Lawrence, Pettis, Saline and Vernon counties, finished in fifth place in terms of the number of turkeys bagged in the spring of 2007. The top three counties were Pettis (730), Johnson (668) and Henry (639).

Productivity in this region was the worst in the state in 2007. Volunteer observers noted just 0.7 poults per hen here. Hunters can bet they will hear much less gobbling than usual in this region, as two-year-old birds will be few and far between.

OZARK BORDER REGION
The 10-county Ozark Border Region finished in sixth place in turkey harvest totals in the spring of 2007. The counties that are within this area include Benton, Cedar, Christian, Dallas, Hickory, Morgan, Newton, Polk, St. Clair and Webster. The top three counties in harvest totals were Benton (707), St. Clair (677) and Cedar (632).

This region tied as the third-best in productivity in 2007 with a 1.1:1 poult-to-hen ratio -- a dismal productivity rate, but better than that in some of the regions with fewer than one poult per hen.

OZARKS EAST REGION
The Ozarks East Region ranked seventh in spring turkey harvest figures in 2007. This 13-county region includes Butler, Carter, Crawford, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, St. Francois, Washington and Wayne counties. The top three counties in harvest numbers here were Dent (542), Maries (515) and Crawford (460).

The region's turkey productivity ranked second statewide, which is good news for hunters here. The steep, rugged Ozark hills are home to a decent number of birds. Hunters just have to work hard to find them.

UNION BREAKS REGION
The eight-county Union Breaks region accounted for 3,613 harvested turkeys in the spring of 2007, ranking eighth statewide. The counties in this region are Boone, Callaway, Howard, Lincoln, Montgomery, Pike, St. Charles and Warren. The top three counties in turkey kills in spring 2007 were Callaway (753), Lincoln (489) and Boone (476).

With a 0.9:1 poult-to-hen ratio, the Union Breaks region tied for fifth place statewide. Fortunately, the good habitat and strong turkey numbers here from years past should sustain the population.

MISSISSIPPI
LOWLANDS REGION
The name for this region is appropriate, because it almost always finishes at the low end of the totem pole in turkey and deer harvests. The 2007 spring turkey season was no exception. The region finished last statewide, recording a total harvest of just 653 birds. The six counties within this region are Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard. The top three counties within this area in terms of turkey harvests were Stoddard (291), Scott (107) and New Madrid (81).