For Missouri’s bowhunters, the day they’ve been waiting so long for is within reach.
Missouri’s 112-day archery deer and turkey seasons will open Sunday, and, at least for deer hunters, things look pretty good.
“Overall, I think it’s going to be a great season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see another harvest record,” said new Cervid Program Manager for the Department of Conservation, Jason Isabelle.
Given the calendar change and the week later opening of the November firearms season, Isablle noted, bowhunters likely will see a bigger buck harvest this year, while the gun season numbers are expected to drop.
The state’s deer population, Isabelle said, “is stable or increasing in most counties,” with most areas in Southeast Missouri experiencing a steady growth in deer numbers.
There have been only a handful of epizootic hemorrhagic disease reports this summer, Isabelle noted, and those have been concentrated in the northeastern portion of the state, so the disease shouldn’t have any significant impact on the overall harvest. You may recall in 2012 when the disease wiped out a significant number of deer across Missouri.
As in the past, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
Despite a forecast in the upper 80s and maybe even lower 90s on opening day, a lot of bowhunters will hit the woods, if only symbolically, because it is the first day. However, if someone does take a deer when it’s so warm, it’s important to take care of it as quickly as possible to avoid spoilage.
A far as turkeys go, taking them with a bow is mostly a thing of happenstance. While a few dedicated turkey hunters will pursue them with a bow (me included), most are shot by deer hunters who are lucky enough to get their bows drawn without being seen.
Remember, if you take a deer or turkey, you must telecheck it by 10 p.m. on the day taken, otherwise you might get a visit from somebody you probably don’t really want to see.
For those looking forward to Sunday night’s gigging opener, the local rivers look to be in good shape.
The Current River, according to Carter County Conservation Agent Mark Wilcoxon, looks good, thought the water level is about a foot higher than normal for this time of year. It is clear, he said.
Given the opener is on a Sunday, Wilcoxon is expecting a large turnout.
__Crappie Winners__
A whopping 131 teams turned out for last weekend’s Ben Kruse/18-Fore-Life crappie tournament on Wappapello Lake, which is a joint venture between the 18 Fore Life Foundation and the Wappapello Crappie Club.
Daniel Porter and Damon Thompson were the top anglers on the day, hauling in 7.92 pounds to take the win.
Second place went to Brad Botsch and Danny Walker with 7.79 pounds, and third was earned by Melvin Staggs and Carol Staggs with 6.73 pounds.
Taking the fourth spot was the team of Robert Sanders and David McMullin with a weight of 6.64 pounds, and rounding out the top five was the team of Kenny Wilkinson and David Ladyman with 6.62 pounds.
The Wappapello Crappie Club will fish again on Oct. 19.
__Coon Club__
During last Friday night’s UKC event at the Butler County Coon Club, there was no bench show, but in the hunt, Montana Buffington and his plott dog, Sniper, earned the night champion win.
The club will host a PKC hunt at 8 p.m. Thursday, along with another UKC show and hunt on Saturday. The show is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the hunt will follow at 8.
Any questions you have can be directed to Terry Uhl at 573-714-1624.
__Strong Start, Quick Fade__
Missouri’s early teal season started off strong, at least at the Otter Slough Conservation Area, where about 4,000 birds were using the property.
That’s a much higher number of birds than the first week of last year’s teal season.
On Saturday’s opener, 54 parties drew for 19 hunting positions. In all, more than 50 hunters killed 244 teal for a daily average of 4.1 birds per hunter.
On Sunday, 57 parties drew for 19 positions, but the harvest dropped off significantly. On that day, 57 hunters took only 92 teal, for a 1.6 bird per hunter average.
Word from some folks is the Coon Island Conservation Area in southern Butler County had some birds, but an overabundance of hunters probably spoiled it there for most folks. Several have told me about others setting up too close, which tends to happen at a walk-in area when there’s limited water.
Missouri’s teal season continues through Sept. 22, with a six-bird daily limit.
For those who hunt teal in Arkansas, the Natural State’s season opens Saturday, also with a six-bird daily limit.
__Smallmouth Tournament__
The Current River Smallmouth Association will hold a tournament Saturday, with fishing from Doniphan.
The launch time from the T.L. Wright ramp at Riverfront Park will be at 7 a.m., and fishing will conclude at 5 p.m.
The club will hold one more regular season event on Sept. 28 before its Classic tournament on Oct. 12.
For information, call Paul Henderson at 573-686-5476.
__East Ozark Bass Club__
If you’d rather fish in a lake tournament, the East Ozark Bass Club will be hosting an event Sunday, based out of the Chaonia ramp on Wappapello Lake.
Fishing is slated to begin at 6 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m.
__Angler’s Choice__
On Sunday, the Angler’s Choice circuit will hold a make-up tournament at Wappapello Lake.
The original date was May 5, but the event had to be rescheduled due to weather.
Sunday’s event, also at the Chaonia ramp, will launch at 6:30 a.m. and fishing will conclude at 3 p.m.
Ken Owens is the tournament director and he can be reached at 573-820-3715.