Things are winding down quickly for hunters across the region, and there’s not a lot of options remaining this winter.
For those after snow geese during the conservation order, which opened today, I can definitively say there are a lot of snow geese around (see photo above, taken Monday morning in eastern Butler County). Hopefully, they’ll spread out a bit because that single group was at least a half mile wide.
Remember to ask permission to chase geese on private lands. While most landowners despise the birds for the damage they can do, they also don’t like strangers traipsing through their property.
Small Game Options
Small game seasons remain open for another week, closing on Feb. 15.
As best as I can tell, squirrels have been pretty active throughout the day lately, and most of the ones I’ve seen have been on the ground. I presume that’s because they’re searching far and wide for food, since the fall acorn crop was a bust.
The rabbit season also is about to close, but the late season can provide for some good hunting.
With that in mind, I made an effort over the weekend to get after some cottontails. Really, I just went to a property I bowhunt to take down a tree stand and brought a shotgun and brush chaps along with me. Unfortunately, I failed to remember any gloves, so that single rabbit I got cost me some blood and a bit of pain. Still, it was a nice change of pace and a lot of fun.
Archery Shoot
The Indian Creek Bowhunters will host its first 3-D archery shoot of the year Saturday.
Registration and shooting at the Department of Conservation archery range off County Road 546, north of Poplar Bluff, will begin at 8 a.m. and continue through noon.
As in the past, 20 targets will be set out along the trail in natural settings.
The fee for those shooting in the trophy classes will be $15, and fun-class participants can shoot for $10. Children age 12 and under can shoot for free.
Tony Harwell is the contact and he can be reached at 573-718-7135.
Coon Club
The Butler County Coon Club will host an HTX hunt Friday, based out of its headquarters building off County Road 607, south of Poplar Bluff.
The event is slated to begin at 6 p.m.
If you need more information, call Terry Uhl at 573-714-1624.
River Tournament
If you’re more into river fishing, there will be a bass tournament on the Current River Saturday.
The event, which is a fundraiser for the Ellington Nutrition Center, will be based out of Van Buren and will begin at 7 a.m. Fishing will conclude at 4 p.m.
Doug Warren is the contact person to get registered for the event, and you can reach him at 573-924-2215.
Sport Show
If you don’t mind a short drive, the St. Louis Boat and Sport Show, which started today, will continue through Sunday at the dome.
Hours for the show are noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Ticket prices are $12 for adults, and anyone age 12 and under can get in for free.
Alternative Fishing
While crappie fishing gets the lion’s share of anglers’ attention this time of year, there are a couple of alternatives which should be really good right now.
If you hit the clear, shallow waters of Pool 1 at the Duck Creek Conservation Area, there’s a good chance you’ll catch some nice black crappies, but for some real fun, try throwing a spinner or other noisy bait to catch pickerel.
They’re explosive when they hit the bait, and they put up a good fight.
If you want to keep any for eating, be sure to cut out the extra row of bones.
For the best eating though, try chucking big shiner minnows or deep-diving crankbaits in the area’s rivers for walleyes.
Late in the evenings this time of year, the walleyes move from deep water into shallow areas to spawn and feed. Concentrate your efforts in places where deep pools tail out into shallow riffles and you could be in for some good catching.
The Current, Eleven Point, Black and St. Francis rivers all have walleyes in them, though locally most people fish the Current and Black.
Walleyes typically are light strikers and they’re not known for their fighting prowess, but they make up for it with their fantastic tablefare. Oh, and don’t forget about their teeth when handling them.