Missouri Survival

I thought of making a new blog all about survival in Missouri, but then I thought heck I already have a Google presence and besides; survival in Missouri is directly connected to hunting so here it goes.

There are many survivalist websites, many that deal with what you can forage for and hunt for to survive. But I will start delving into other issues of survival. Issues like how to make soap, how to be prepared, how to grow crops, both for food and for trade and how Christians fit in with survival in all circumstances.

Unfortunately the term survivalist when used in conjunction with Christian congers images of militia type fringe groups who often are perceived to be connected to white supremacists groups.

Personally I am not connected with any such groups nor do I wish to be associated with them. But as Christians our calling in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event is to help our neighbors. The description of the end times is horrific and many will perish.

Matthew 24:22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Now if you are a believer in the dogma of the Rapture and believe that nothing ill will befall you then I suppose your done with this reading; but if you think that all the dire warnings in the scriptures may actually happen then you might want to keep reading.

Luke 21:34-36 ESV

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

That to me doesn't sound like a message to people who will be magically swept up and carried away from impending disaster but a warning that you should be prepared!

Besides, there are many other things to be prepared for, earthquakes, tornadoes, like what hit Joplin, Mo this year, droughts, floods and who knows what else.

Much of Missouri lies along a fault line called the New Madrid Fault. On December 16, 1811 the New Madrid earthquakes remain the most powerful earthquakes ever to hit the eastern United States in recorded history. In-all there were at least four earthquakes that carried on through 1812 and wreaked devastation in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and more! The quake is estimated to have possibly reach a 7.5 on the Richter scale.

The quakes were so intense they actually made the Mississippi River run Backwards for a time. Shock waves were felt in Toronto Canada, Boston Massachusetts and even Main! Missouri was sparsely populated in 1811 and there were no skyscrapers or apartment buildings, today such an earthquake would likely displace thousands and easily kill or injure thousands more!

So we must be prepared for whatever is coming our way!

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.

PS click on the ads, I need the money!

Missouri Turkey Season 2009

Off to a bleak start, I was out scouting Saturday with my grandson Cody, Not only did we not see any, we couldn't even to get them to talk to us. I tried everything from mouth reeds to squawk boxes. Since it wasn't season yet I even pulled out the electronic turkey call.

We had a lot of rain to contend with and I got soaked, so we gave up and went to Swopes Drive In in Rich Hill, MO for a peanut butter shake. On the way beck we did see one hen out in a field off Highway V.

The Missouri Conservation Department is predicting a bleak year for turkey hunters.
They are blaming the weather, seems the late freezes and flooding, over the last several years has decreased the turkey population in Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas. Several other states have had similar problems. I guess they haven't got the message from Al Gore about the whole global warming thing.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says the spring Turkey season may be slow. The leading cause for the lower number of turkeys is poor weather during the reproductive times. According to experts at the AGFC it may take several years for the turkey numbers to get back to pre-2008 levels

"Conservative seasons and improved gobbler survival in 2007 increased
the 2008 spring turkey harvest. However, preliminary brood surveys do
not bode well for the 2009 and 2010 seasons." AFGC 2007-08 Annual Harvest Report.

hunters will probably have to work a little harder to harvest the birds they use to just sit and call in. Better practice up on your turnkey calling skills.

Turkey Season in Missouri

Well; Turkey Season is finally here. I'm far too busy to really have much time in the turkey woods these days. I do plan to get out there soon though.



You can find the Missouri hunting seasons online here.

Spring turkey season begins Monday, April 20th 2009, ends Sunday, May 10, 2009.

Youth season has already begun my friend Dave and his son have had success already bagging a turkey. I will be taking my grandson next Saturday. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing a young man take his first wild game.

Youth Turkey season in Missouri began Saturday, Apr 4, 2009 and ended Sunday, Apr 5, 2009.