If you’re a waterfowl hunter in Missouri, you’ll be interested to know about a few changes the Department of Conservation recently made to the season structure starting in 2021.
In the North Zone, the duck season has been opening the first Saturday in November, and that zone has had no split.
Starting next year, it will open on the Saturday closest to Oct. 31, with no split. That means it could open the last week of October.
In the Middle Zone, which encompasses the Otter Slough and Duck Creek conservation areas in our region, the season has been opening on the Saturday nearest Nov. 6 and lasting for seven days, followed by a five-day split. It then would reopen for the remaining 53 days of the 60-day total season.
Starting next year, the season will open on the first Saturday in November and go for nine days before a five-day split. After that, it would reopen for the remaining 51 days.
Essentially, the Middle Zone season could open as early as Nov. 1 some years, giving hunters more opportunities to hunt early migrants.
In the South Zone, MDC made no changes to the season structure. It has been opening on Thanksgiving day for many years.
Lately, the South Zone has had a four-day first segment, followed by a break and then reopening for a second segment Dec. 7 through Jan. 31.
The changes were made based off input the department received at its public meetings held around the state earlier this year.
Changes to the duck hunting season framework are allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service every five years, and that’s why you see these public meetings pop up at those intervals.
The next opportunity for MDC to make changes will be for the 2026-2030 seasons.
The Current River Smallmouth Association will host its annual His and Hers Tournament Saturday, based out of Van Buren.
The launch time for CRSA events is always 7 a.m., with a weigh-in scheduled for 5 p.m.
The launch and weigh-in will take place at the Watercress ramp just north of town.
The river is projected to be around 6.5 feet on Saturday, after falling from 9-plus feet, so it still will be a little high, but manageable.
If you need information on the club, call Paul Henderson at 573-686-5476 or Randy Sullivan at 417-252-4400.
If you’re more into fishing for bass in lakes, the East Ozark Bass Club will host a tournament Sunday at Clearwater Lake.
Fishing is scheduled to kick off at 6 a.m. from the Piedmont Park ramp. You’ll need to be checked in 30 minutes prior to the take-off.
The event will conclude with a weigh-in at 2 p.m.
Fishing elsewhere remains good.
Besides crappie and bass in the big lakes, farm ponds and smaller waters also are producing good catches.
I was able to hit a farm pond recently and took home some channel catfish and big bluegills.
If you’d rather not deal with the crowds at Wappapello or Clearwater lakes, Otter Slough’s Cypress Lake and Duck Creek’s Pool 1 should be solid bets right now.