It’s getting close to mid-September, and that means things to do outdoors are ramping up quickly.
There are several things happening in the next several days, from more hunting seasons opening to fishing tournaments.
The first opener in Missouri is for teal, and that will be on Saturday.
The early teal season is eagerly awaited by the most dedicated waterfowlers and gives them a chance to get into the marsh for some warm-season action without the typical crowds of the later duck season.
Shooting hours are sunrise until sunset each day of the season, which continues until Sept. 27.
The reason for the later shooting time during teal season is there can be some other early migrant species around, like the occasional pintail, or wood ducks, which are not legal species, and the extra daylight allows hunters to positively identify what they are shooting at.
The daily limit is six teal, which can be any mix of blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon varieties (Don’t worry, you’ll likely never see a cinnamon teal around here).
Teal hunting doesn’t require a lot of equipment and gear like the regular duck season does, so it’s a good way to get beginners involved. A half dozen decoys, some steel shot and a place to hide are really all you need.
If you go, you will have to watch out for things that bite. Mosquitoes can be downright unbearable without the proper precautions, and you might run across a cottonmouth or two as well.
Be sure you have a small-game hunting permit, state waterfowl hunting permit and a federal duck stamp before you head afield, and don’t forget to ensure your shotgun is plugged to hold only three shells.
The two big managed wetlands in the area, Otter Slough and Duck Creek conservation areas, will not have a morning drawing this season.
Both properties will use a self-check system, though you won’t be able to do so until 4 a.m.
The number of pools open at each still is up on the air, but at Otter Slough, area manager Luke Wehmhoff said, there will be at least 15 to 18 spots open and likely more.
That is because the area has received 7 inches of rain in the last two weeks, and there is plenty of water in areas that normally don’t have it this time of year.
At both locations, more than one hunting party could be allowed in a pool at the same time, depending on its size, so that also is a big departure from previous procedures.
Hunting at Duck Creek will be all day long, but at Otter Slough, it will end at 1 p.m. daily, and if a party checks out early, another can sign in and fill that spot.
Missouri’s second-longest hunting season of the year also opens in the coming days.
The archery deer and turkey season kicks off Tuesday and runs through Jan. 15, with a break during the 11-day November firearms deer season.
Regulations remain pretty much the same as in years past, but it’s a good idea to pick up a booklet to familiarize yourself of any changes just in case.
One new thing this year is hunters are allowed to take feral hogs on Department of Conservation lands while deer and turkey hunting, as long as they are using a legal weapon for the open season.
The season limit is two deer, but only one antlered buck can be taken before the November firearms season. If you shoot an antlered buck during the firearms season after taking one with a bow beforehand, you’ll be restricted to antlerless deer only for the remainder of the archery season.
Extra antlerless archery permits are available in most counties for $7 each, so extended opportunities abound.
As always, early season bowhunting for deer should be focused around food sources, and I’ve found evening sits tend to be the most productive.
From what I’ve heard and can tell, the acorn crop this fall may be a little sparse in some locations, and if so, deer will be feeding more in the open fields than in the timber.
Those bowhunting turkeys can take two per season, regardless of sex, and both can be taken on the same day.
Honestly, I haven’t seen a single turkey all summer, so specifically targeting them might prove pretty fruitless.
This time of year, they should be found early and late in the day feeding on grasshoppers in fields, which aren’t badly overgrown. Once the acorns start to fall steadily, if they do, finding turkeys becomes a much more difficult task.
To help bowhunters get ready for the archery season, the Indian Creek Bowhunters will be hosting its final 3-D archery shoot of the season on Saturday.
Registration and shooting begins at 8 a.m. and continues through noon at the MDC range off County Road 546, just north of Poplar Bluff.
As always, the course will feature 20 targets set at various ranges to simulate real hunting conditions.
The cost to shoot in the trophy classes will be $15 per shooter, or if you just want to shoot for fun, it will run you $10.
For more information, call Tony Harwell at 573-718-7135 or Brad Massey at 573-776-8104.
For anglers, there are three bass tournaments on the schedule this weekend.
The Current River Smallmouth Association will host a tournament based out of Van Buren on Saturday.
You can launch from either the Watercress or Big Spring ramps, and fishing will begin at 7 a.m. A weigh-in is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Watercress ramp.
Also on Saturday, the Angler’s Choice circuit will have a tournament on Wappapello Lake.
The event will be based out of the Chaonia public ramp, with a launch scheduled for 6:30 a.m. Fishing will wrap up at 3 p.m.
For more information, call tournament director Ken Owens at 573-820-3715.
On Sunday, one of the largest and oldest tournaments on Wappapello will be held.
The Big O tournament will be based out of Chaonia Landing, with a non-mandatory meeting taking place there at 6 p.m. Saturday evening.
Take-off is set for safe light, and the first weigh-in is scheduled for 3 p.m.
You can register for the event at Chaonia Landing, but it’s better to call Rick Robertson at 573-429-7910 because he will have to assign boat numbers anyway.
Finally, Missouri’s gigging opener is Tuesday.
Gigging for non-game fish is extremely popular with locals, especially on the Current River.
There is a small change in the regulations this year, so be sure to check the booklet before you head out.
The Current River looks to be in good shape for gigging, and there is no rain in the extended forecast which might cause it to rise or get muddy.
The Black River, however, still was a bit murky at last check, which would make seeing fish difficult.