Missouri Deer Bow Season

I have to admit, I'm not much of a bow hunter, the last two deer I took were with a .44 mag with a 10.5 inch barrel. I love hunting with a handgun, and I am working on my bow skills. Last year I had an elbow injury, I got a waiver from the Missouri Department of Conservation to allow me to use a crossbow.

I'm not one to claim disability, but I disagree with Missouri's stance that a crossbow is a firearm. Since I could hardly pull a bow I figured, what the heck at least I can use a crossbow.

I arrowed two deer, but I never found either one of them, My grandson Cody helped me track one of them, but when the blood trail ran out we had no idea where to look. I hate to leave a wounded animal, but sometimes it happens and you just cannot find the poor creature you injured.

This year I intend to practice up a bit more, hopefully refining my skills. But I watched those arrows hit vital parts last year, not being an experienced bow hunter I was quite surprised that those deer did not fall where we could find them.

I was hunting in densely forested areas, with massive undergrowth that prevented access to some areas. This year I plan to do a bit more ground work and hopefully I will be able to track them.

One of them jumped a railroad track, while waiting for her to bleed out a freight train came by; by the time it passed, there was no sign of the deer.

I'm not a trophy hunter, I hunt for meat. I prefer young deer, does, and tender venison.

I have several places I can go, unfortunately some of them are far too popular and I have to compete with many other hunters.

I've placed some salt licks in a few out of the way places, we will see what happens this year.

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Missouri Dove Season

September 1, 2009 is the opening day of Dove Season in Missouri. Many people use a variety of weapons, I prefer my .410. My old .410 is a bolt action beauty that belonged to my wife's Grandad. I used it last year with great success.

Doves are small and it takes many shots to fill your quota, it is quite common to miss. With the cost of ammo what it is, using a .410 is an expensive proposition. A 20 gauge might be a bit cheaper, but the potential for damage to the bird is greater.

I do not have a bird dog, I work way too much to have time to train a bird dog. I use the old fashioned method of retrieving my own birds. so my day afield is a bit longer that some.

The prospect for birds looks good this year, I have seen many doves in both Missouri and Kansas, based on my limited experience I would say that 2009 is going to be a great year for harvesting doves in the Midwest.

Missouri Dove season ends on November 9, 2009. The bag limit is 15 and the possession limit is 30.

Hunt safe and enjoy the outdoors, I hope I see you afield, perhaps we can share a pinch of chew or a cold beverage.

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