JEFFERSON CITY, MO. ? A plentiful hatch of wild turkeys two years ago means good times for Missouri turkey hunters.

That’s the word from Jeff Beringer, who tracks turkey population trends for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Spring turkey hunting season opens April 21 and runs through May 11. Missouri also has a youth hunting season April 12-13 for hunters 15 and younger.

Beringer said mature gobblers should be abundant this year, giving hunters lots of opportunities to hear — and bag — hefty turkeys.

“We had a good hatch in 2001,” said Beringer. “Last year’s hatch was a little below average, so hunters may not see as many young birds this year.”

One-year-old male turkeys, commonly called “jakes,” are less desirable to hunters, because they are smaller. They also are less likely to utter the wild turkey’s gobbling mating call, which makes them harder and less exciting to hunt.

Turkeys are abundant throughout most of the state. Exceptions are the southeast and southwest corners of Missouri, where hunters will find the going a little tougher.

Beringer said hunters may have better luck finding turkeys in open areas, with minimal weeds and other ground cover left over from last year. Exposure to sunlight causes these areas to green up earlier and exposes acorns and other food items, making them preferred foraging spots for turkeys.

Turkey hunters’ success always depends heavily on weather. Unseasonably cold conditions can delay the start of turkey mating, making gobblers less responsive to hunters’ calls.

On the other hand, warm weather accelerates the greening of spring vegetation, causing hen turkeys to nest earlier.

Wind is another factor in determining turkey hunting success. The sound and motion that accompanies windy days makes turkeys skittish and hard to call. Rain plays a role, too, keeping hunters indoors and reducing the turkey harvest.