Conservation Federation of Missouri
728 West Main | Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-2322
Press Release
 


 
  
 
 
 
John Lewis: Legendary Biologist Talks Turkey
Conservation Federation Podcast Episode 10

John and his wife Nancy

In Episode 10 of  Conservation Federation , Brandon Butler visits with legendary Missouri turkey biologist John Lewis. They discuss John's key role in returning the wild turkey to all of Missouri and beyond. 

Not too many years ago, the wild turkey was void from much of Missouri. Over the last half century, with citizen support, the Missouri Department of Conservation was able to bring the wild turkey back. No one individual was more crucial to this success than retired turkey biologist, John Lewis. 

John Lewis was key to restoring the wild turkey to all corners of Missouri, and even helped reestablish turkeys in many other surrounding states. Today in Missouri, you can hunt turkey in all 114 counties. More than 150,000 hunters harvest approximately 50,000 turkeys annually.

Here's a tip of the turkey cap to John Lewis for all he did to save the wild turkey. 

Select Highlights of MDC Turkey Management
  • 1952  The State's turkey population had dropped to fewer than 2,500 birds in 31 counties
  • 1954-79  Statewide restoration of wild turkeys via trapping and transplanting
  • 1960  First spring season; 3 days, 14 counties
  • 1960-1972  Spring season expanded (4 times) to 14 days
  • 1975  First fall archery season
  • 1978  First fall firearms season
  • 1985  Spring season expanded to all 114 counties
  • 1996-98  Conservation Commission appoints "Blue-Ribbon Panel" and the Turkey Management Plan is published
  • 1998  Spring season extended from two to three weeks
  • 2001  First spring youth season
Conservation Federation is available on iTunes at  https://goo.gl/XDPM0w
and the CFM website at www.confedmo.org/podcasts/ . You can subscribe to the podcast to ensure you won't miss a single episode.

  

About the Conservation Federation of Missouri

The CFM, formed in 1935, is Missouri's largest and most representative citizen conservation group.  It represents more than 80 organizations with over 1 million members. The CFM is primarily a volunteer organization - including all officers and board members - but does maintain an office with a full time professional staff in Jefferson City.  Visit our website at http://www.confedmo.org

Conservation Federation of Missouri | 728 West Main Street | Jefferson City, MO 65101 | 573.634.2322 | www.confedmo.org