Missouri’s alternative methods deer season is off to a better start than last year’s, so things are looking pretty decent right now.
As of Wednesday morning, hunters had taken 5,950 deer statewide. Things will have to pick up quite a bit to match the season total of 12,002 taken last year.
Locally, hunters have taken 38 deer in Butler County, 55 in Carter County, 20 in Dunklin County, 66 in Reynolds County, 78 in Ripley County, 60 in Stoddard County and 98 in Wayne County.
Hunters have until Tuesday to get the job done, and after Thursday, the weather forecast looks fairly favorable. After the weather system moves out Friday morning could be especially good.
Bowhunters continue to increase their new deer harvest record, though in most local counties, the kill has slowed to a dozen or so per week.
Still, you’ve got to give bowhunters credit for sticking it out in the late season.
As of Wednesday, bowhunters in Butler County had taken 666 deer, and in Carter County, they had arrowed 724.
In Dunklin County, only two deer were taken over the last week, and the total now stands at 104.
Reynolds County bowhunters have tagged 743 deer, and hunter in Ripley County have reported 712 taken there.
Stoddard County bowhunters have killed 704 deer to date, and in Wayne County, the total stands at 1,234.
Statewide, the archery harvest total currently is at 63,643, and of course, each additional deer taken only adds to the new record.
For bowhunters with unfilled permits, the season continues for another two weeks, closing one-half hour after sunset on Jan. 15.
Duck numbers across the region appear to be about the same as they have been for a while.
The Duck Creek Conservation Area still is holding around 27,000 ducks, and the adjacent Mingo National Wildlife Refuge has about 42,000.
At the Otter Slough Conservation Area, there are an estimated 38,000 ducks.
The Coon Island Conservation Area was holding 20,000 ducks, almost all of which were sitting tight on the refuge pools.
Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area in Mississippi County still holds the most birds at 53,000.
There just haven’t been any decent weather fronts to push new birds into the area, and consequently, the ducks we do have know the game and are quite stale.
However — and this is a big one — all the rain we’re supposed to get Wednesday and Thursday should make a world of difference.
Even ducks that have been here for a long time will get up and explore newly-flooded areas, thanks to the rain.
Waterfowl managers up and down the Mississippi Flyway have been hoping for some rain, so even this 2 inches or so we were supposed to get should help.
A buddy who frequently fishes Wappapello Lake in the winter months told me the other day fishing for crappies has been good — as long as you don’t want to keep any.
His quote, word for word, was “I caught into the triple digits on crappie today, and not a keeper in the bunch.”
The lake also may see a slight rise, depending on rainfall upstream this week, so things could change a bit.
Today marks the end of 2020, and like a lot of people, I’m ready to see it go away.
My adventures in the outdoors this year have been a bit fewer and far between than in the past, but I had great success on deer and turkeys, with a few good fishing trips thrown in as well. Even on the unsuccessful days, it was good just to get away from the daily grind and stress, which has taken a substantial toll on me.
Hopefully, 2021 will be better and brighter for everyone.