Deer Hunting Ethics

After talking with several hunters across the United States about dogs chasing, and killing wildlife, I believe this is a problem that needs to be addressed, and solved. This problem needs to have a solution mandated by one appropriate agency very soon.

My self included, many hunters put hundreds or even thousands of dollars in improving and managing habitat for the wildlife so we can enjoy the great heritage of hunting and allow our kids to enjoy it too. We spend hundreds of hours driving, scouting before the season, preparing, and planning every little detail of the hunt we will have opening day. From a business stand point, getting your land ready for the hunters that have booked and paid for a hunt on your land.

But as day breaks you watch a nice 150 class Pope & Young deer head right into your wheelhouse until Spot the dog comes on the scene and chases the deer right under your stand and into the next county.

Better yet, you watch a dog or for that matter a cat killing the wildlife you have worked so hard to bring to your area. With dogs the size of German Shepherds running around the countryside I have seen how one's deer population can be negatively effected. From a hunters point of view, when you make that one dog into a pack of dogs, a hunter never, under any circumstances, want any dogs running loose. The fawns in the area can be run down until they die of stress along with does and even bucks. Don’t think cats are not a problem also, they can destroy chicks of quail, wild turkey, and even rabbit populations can be wiped out.

To make it even harder to figure out which side of the barbed wire you stand on, some states allow dogs for deer hunting and even turkey hunting. So what are we to think or do?

This is an ethical and legal problem that has no end in sight, and can turn deadly for humans when some one starts asking if you shot their dog. Being such a controversial topic that after posting the topic on some hunting message boards across the United States to get some different views it had to be deleted from some because hunters split are over the issue.

Well I have had dogs all my life, I love dogs, I with hunt with dogs for rabbits, raccoon, and coyotes and even been in part of the country that it was the norm to hunt, deer with dogs. I also do not believe in putting dogs on a chain or a small cage for a place to roam, but do agree with a large fenced area. I would not have a dog unless I had this.

I have seen dogs in the woods while hunting and I would not kill a dog for being a dog as it starts chasing deer through the woods unless I found a dog that was in a serious health condition without a collar and needed to be put down. I will explain my reason later in the article There are other hunters out there that feel the same way. But on the other side of the coin there are some states that allow hunting deer with dogs. Some people say this is not a fair chase and some say it is. This would be an entire subject to talk about by it’s self but does play into this article with the hunters that will take matters into their own hands even with states that allow hunting with dogs.

The three SSS’s of some hunters are Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up. Now this may be too hard for some people to agree with. Then you have some states that will allow landowners to kill dogs if they are destroying livestock, or in some states killing wildlife. So this is just not a cut and dry solution with different states doing different things. But, keep an open mind with the following thoughts.

Some owners of dogs will dump out dogs in the country, I know from personal experience that the Sheriff Department, City Police or even the Human Society will not pick up a stray dog in the country. The Humane Society will tell you to bring it in. But, who is going to risk picking up a dog that is running wild or even have the chance to put a leash on one without knowing if it has been vaccinated. So the landowner is just left with a wild dog running around terrorizing the countryside. Just think, would you let wild dogs run around with your kids playing in woods or fields or would you take matters in your own hands to protect your family from possible harm.

With the cities getting bigger and bigger and with land that used to be great hunting areas turning into country side subdivision this has become more common place than you would ever believe.

For most of the hunters out there, you would think this would be cut and dry issue. But, not for the subject of dogs running wild and killing of wildlife on your land.

First and foremost reason I could not shoot a dog running by. What would I say and how would I explain to a 6-year-old on why I shot her or his dog, or even worse have the dog die at their feet with an arrow sticking out of it. That is not the long lasting impression of hunting I want to pass onto the next generation. Second it is illegal in my state, just as I obey the other games laws of my state I have to obey this one

Jump to the other side of the fence, it is not ethical to allow your dog to run loose on your land or your neighbors land, even if you live in the country and allow it to harass or kill wildlife. But, some dog owners will disagree that it is a part of nature. Just as is coyote’s chasing and killing wildlife for food. But, if the dog owner is feeding the dog everyday, how does this come into play, other than the dog chasing or killing just to be chasing or killing for pleasure.

Let’s not forget the wildlife, should it be in the hunters best interest to protect the wildlife since no one else will at that moment, or should we allow the dog weather they are pets or strays a chance to kill wildlife on private or public ground?

Then, one more angle to view, which I have to admit I have done. Since I have already said I would not kill the dog. The Humane Society said to bring it in. But, after having a dog hang around the cabin for two weeks without food and the nearest Humane Society 4 hours away, I decide my best option was to put a rope around it’s neck and pulled it along side of the truck and drove it slowly down the gravel road several miles and let it go. Is this unethical since I am now making this dog someone else’s problem? I would say yes it is but it was the lesser of the two evils and I am far from perfect.

After contacting the sheriff's office in the county I live in about this subject, I found out their are the legal problems that come into play and make this even more of a problem.

The dog is a dumb animal and therefore should not be held responsible for its owner’s actions. The owner has the responsibility under Missouri law to maintain “Adequate Control” over the dog. Failure to do so can result in the owner of the dog being prosecuted.

This is a very good law in my opinion if the dog has an owner. The only problem I see with this, I believe the courts have enough to deal with than prosecute someone for letting a dog run loose in the country.Also, what if the dog has no owner.

But, what if the neighbor’s dog is harassing the livestock on his property, he has the write to protect his property and dispatch the dog of course and he has a defense to the criminal element of the law. But it does not negate being sued in civil court by the owner of the dog for damages incurred for the loss of the dog.

If someone kills the dog while it is not committing property damage, they could be charged with the criminal offense of “Killing or Wounding a Dumb Animal.”

How does your states game and fish department laws effect you? Well in Missouri, wildlife is owned by the people of the state and the Missouri Department of Conservation is the agency that has been constitutionally mandated to conserve, manage and restore forest, wildlife and fisheries resources.

But, the Wildlife Code for Missouri has no provision authorizing anyone to kill dogs, which are pursuing wildlife. Along with that they also stated the Missouri Department of Conservation does not advocate killing of dogs but does advocate responsible control of dogs.

Just be sure you know what your state’s laws are from all the different agencies, before you decide what to do.

SOLUTION

The one thing I fear worse than anything on dogs chasing wildlife. Is to see on the five 0’clock news of a young kid crying because a hunter has killed Spot and PETA is jumping on the feeding frenzy of the media. But, then they go to another young kid crying as they take his father in camouflage into custody. Don’t think it can’t happen.

On the way home the deer they harvested was draped over the horses back or the wild turkey was hanging over the hunter’s shoulder. When coming into camp, they where meet with great excitement from family and friends. In some case your peers awarded you, the amount of skill it took to take any game, and in some societies it decided on your standing in the community.

Well lets turn the corner and hop on the highway of modern day society, in the middle of November while Missouri firearms season is under full steam. Weather you are a hunter, non-hunter or anti-hunter you will without any doubt see a deer in the back of a pick-up.

Well in the modern age of today society there are many different opinions of what you may think about what you have just seen. But, believe it or not this heritage of bringing home your game is a major controversy between many different groups.

Well like any seed you plant it always seems to grow and sometimes faster than you could ever imagine.

Since that time I have started writing and providing pictures for dozens of other hunting websites and magazines. One of the first things I learned about taking pictures of your game was to have it shown in a respectable way with no blood showing on you or your game and in the case of whitetail deer without the tongue hanging out. They will not publish those photographs. Also some magazines will not show the word kill, they prefer the word harvest when talking about hunting any game. Along with this article which was even turned down because of the topic matter.

Well while I was on the Missouri Department of Conservation website on their message board this topic of show a little class and respect started. Within weeks hundreds of response, opinions and views started pouring in about bringing home your game and about your appearance of what you are wearing as a hunter.

Until that time, for some reason it did not hit me until I started reading on how important of an issue this really is for everyone involved weather you are a hunter, non-hunter or anti-hunter.

Let me present you the first part of the main question asked that started this debate between hunters. Why do some of you feel the need to transport your deer in the most grotesque manner you can dream up?

While this question was over stated, main percentage of hunter do not transport their deer in the most grotesque manner. But they will transport it in the back of a pickup with the tailgate down.

Both methods can be correct and there are a wide variety of reasons for deer to be displayed and none of them may be for bragging rights. First and foremost no matter which option you choose we must preserve the game by keeping it cool after harvest so the meat does not spoil. Which may be the reason for covering the game up to keep the dust, bugs or the sun from spoiling the meat.

But by simply putting the cavity away from the view of the vehicle behind you, can make a great compromise of both parties as long as it cools down the game. It is real simply just use common sense when taking your game on the road. As soon as you have a place that you can add ice or wash out the cavity can help with the processing of the animal. If you don’t have a pickup, trailer, SUV and can only haul it try your best to show some respect when tying it on the outside of any vehicle. You killed it and now you have to get it home and that means you have to put it somewhere, somehow and that may mean sometimes putting it in plain view and there is nothing wrong with that.

If you decide to leave the tailgate down is the option of the hunter if it is legal. Some states have laws about “parading a kill”. Then some states have laws that require deer to be openly displayed to cut down on illegal transportation of game that has been poached. In some areas of the my state I would even become suspicious if I viewed someone hiding a deer out of view, and the first thought on my mine would be they may have legally killed it but are not going to tag it. But one thing we as hunter or fisherman must never do is to be ashamed of our harvest or catch. It is our heritage we are keeping alive and you can not help but smile when you see a young hunter smile from ear to ear about that 80 pound doe or spike buck.

Showing your trophy no matter what the size, is no different than taking a picture with it and showing your friends and family, or having it mounted by a taxidermist anything can be taken out of context if someone tries hard enough or does not have an open mind.

NON-HUNTER

Now the non-hunters point of view of watching you drive down the road with dead animal may not be as enthusiastic as you. Unless they have hit one that has caused thousands of dollars of damage to their vehicle or injuries. They may appreciate the fact that you are hunting. But they may not appreciate the fact that blood is dripping out of the truck and they can view the cavity of the deer as they step out of their vehicle next to yours into a puddle of blood. To make thing worse yet it sprays on their windshield as they drive behind you.

Well you say who cares what they think. But then again you as a hunter may want to care when it comes down to a time to vote and the non-hunters have the majority vote over the hunters and the anti-hunters. Don’t believe it your rights as hunter will never be taken away. They are taken away every year in different states as a piece of the iceberg keeps getting chipped away every year. With dove hunting season taken away, bear hunting season no Sunday hunting or guns taken away in other countries or states. The worse thing you can do as a hunter is to sit back and say it won’t happen here. I believe that means more now than it use to. Just remember you have more to loose than to gain.

For the most part people that do not hunt have family members or close friends that do and hunting is not completely foreign to them. Even when I am in my own back yard in the middle of town cleaning a wild turkey from spring shotgun season or quarting up a whitetail deer for processing in the fall. Most of the time the neighbors that do not hunt come over just for the story of the hunt. Of course I never embellish, just remember a little respect and common sense will go along ways no matter what you are doing with you game.

I did not start hunting till later in life and knew nothing about hunting. I am even from a small town so this is not just a big city problem. Remember these people that don’t get to see the sides of beef hanging in the slaughterhouse. Just the Styrofoam package, shrinked wrapped and made for showing piece of flesh. So give them some respect and don’t turn them into the following.

Now from the anti-hunters point of view, which will be hard if not impossible for me to understand. Since they have forgotten that their very existence today came from their ancestors hunting and surviving in the past. Even though my very existence is grotesques, they don’t realize they have created me by eliminating the majority of the predators so that subdivision can be built and family can be safe and I am now filling that void as a hunter that they created. But at the least with all the reading I have read about them. They can change your innocent attempt of taking your game home into a promotion with just a few catch phrases, which the media just loves to get a hold of.

Even though they use, and promote violence, incorrect information and do not support the treatment of animals instead they could care less how the animal dies or is treated well. They just want to bend us to their Taliban rule of living under their minority rule of thought of becoming a vegetarian.

There is some hunting edict that should be observed when wearing camouflage out in public. First make sure the scents you use out in the woods are not hanging on your hat or any other place when you walk into a restaurant. Also make sure you or your clothes are not covered in blood.

Other than that I believe where and how you want to support your passion should be up to you. It is no different than wearing a Cardinals T-shirt, school colors, or your favorite teams phone cover or having a bumper sticker that says GO RAMS.

Just remember there is a middle of the road that can be meet when transporting any of your game. But we has hunters can not hide or we will bring down the very heritage we love, but instead we should remind today society that their ancestors heritage is still alive with us.

MISSOURI HISTORY

Did you know that the Missouri whitetail deer population is estimated at over 1 million? Every resident of Missouri should be proud of this accomplishment and all the other great management success stories in Missouri like the wild turkey restoration.

I hear this statement all the time. “I can remember when I never saw a deer”. The Missouri Department of Conservation has helped the landowners of Missouri bring the deer population of back from the 15,000 all time low in 1944.

When management and conservation are great success in any state and when progress and growth of Missouri cities and towns come together bring new responsibilities, that city leaders should not ignore or it may cost you and me.

What makes Missouri so special is our motto. SHOW-ME, in this case it can’t be any clearer.

If you have not been to Town & Country, Missouri just south of St. Louis let me save you a trip. They have a huge deer problem, I mean a HUGE deer problem.

When great habitat is available the deer population runs around 20 to 25 deer per square mile and population controls are intact like hunting there are very few problems.

In Town & Country the deer population runs around 65 deer per square mile and no hunting is allowed. But, they did talk the Missouri Department of Conservation into allowing trapping.

They have been trapping deer for the last 3 years. The Missouri Department of Conservation told the city officials for trapping to be affective that 120 whitetail does per year would have to be taken for a total of 360.

They also told them, just for you information removing bucks has little to no effect on future deer population, just on the current population.

Well this is how it went. The first year 59 does and 21 bucks were trapped. Second year 44 does and 13 bucks. Third year 48 does and 48 bucks. So they removed a total of 151 does, less than half needed in three years. They also removed total of 82 bucks. Which again will only have that year’s effect on the deer population problem.

So they removed 233 whitetail deer and relocated them. The cost was more than 350 dollars per deer. Around $82,000 in tax dollars.

Almost forgot. 7 out of 10 of the deer died later of stress of being trapped. I won’t go into the technical aspect of why this happened, but if you have more interested then click on DEER MYOPATHY. But, is a common effect when wild deer are trapped. But it did and so around 161 deer died a slow and painful death. I guess the statement, out of sight out of mind comes into play.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has not and will never again issue permit for trapping deer. This has also ceased in Town and Country also.

Well the another method that the Humane Society of the United States also continues to encourage state wildlife agencies, communities, and parks to use a type of birth control to manage free ranging wildlife species, including whitetails deer.

By the ways leading wildlife biologist consider this to be a complete waste of time not counting it cost more money per animal than trapping. Wildlife biologist will tell you that hunting is the only solution, when it comes to managing deer population that is out of control.

Again why does this effect you? Jackson and Cape Girardeau, Missouri are just two examples of why it does. Well have you seen deer in the Cape Girardeau and Jackson City limits. Well less than 5 blocks from downtown Jackson I have seen 14 deer in one group a little over 2 years ago. In Cape I have counted over 10 in one group just this year. Deer have been seen within the Sikeston, Missouri City limits believe it or not.

By the way deer population will double in size in less than 3 years if the habitat exist and there is nothing like nice yards, trees and flowers. Not counting most people will start feeding the deer to get a chance to view them in the back yard. That 14 deer is closer to 28 by now, don’t you think?

Almost forgot, Town and Country city council has passed law keeping individuals from taking care of there own deer problems also.

Just remember this in a few years, when this issue comes up in Cape Girardeau, Jackson or any small town for that matter in Missouri. Remember where the city limits use to be and where they are now. How will your money be spent?

Problems with the many deer inside the north Arkansas town led to a special permit hunt, archery only, to reduce the overabundant deer that have caused accidents on roads and decimated gardens and shrubbery. The hunt has a new twist, too. Participants have to prove their ability to use a bow to before they obtain a permit.

The Bull Shoals urban hunt is Arkansas’ first attempt to ease the nuisance deer problem by a coalition of partners and a carefully restricted hunt. The hunt opened Dec. 1 and will continue through Feb. 28 in the quiet Marion County retirement-resort community of 1,787 people bordering the lake of the same name.

The partners are Bull Shoals’ city government, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Bowhunters Association.

Numerous other Arkansas towns and cities, all the way up to Little Rock, have problems with deer. They cause vehicle accidents, they damage shrubbery, gardens and even lawns. But many people love ‘em, and here is where emotions enter the scene.

The framework of the Bull Shoals hunt:

•All the meat from the deer is donated to the Arkansas Farmers and Hunters for the Hungry program.

•Only compound bows or traditional longbows can be used.

•Only hunters with special permits can participate, and the permits were issued after attendance at a mandatory training course and after each hunter passed a proficiency test. Each had to prove he or she could shoot a bow effectively.

•Landowner permission is required. This includes city lot owners and/or residents.

•Deer killed have to be brought to a designated check station at Bull Shoals Boat Dock.

•A participating hunter must kill a doe before he or she can kill a buck.

•There is no limit on the number of deer a hunter can kill.

•Deer killed in the special hunt do not apply to a hunter’s statewide season limit of four.

•Outside these restrictions and special rules, all regular Arkansas deer hunting rules apply, including licenses.

On the first day of the hunt, seven deer were killed inside Bull Shoals. There has been opposition to this hunt from some Bull Shoals residents. Some not in favor are retirees who delight in feeding birds, small animals and even deer. When the offerings of corn and other food isn’t there, the deer turn to tender, well-cared-for shrubs, to gardens.

What’s the answer to city-deer issues?

Donny Harris, chief of wildlife management for the Game and Fish Commission, said,

“The most effective means of controlling deer in urban areas is by hunting in some form. Trapping and relocating them just is not efficient, and a lot of deer die in the process. Contraception is a possibility in the future, but the technology isn’t here yet. Perhaps an orally administered contraceptive will be developed.”

Game and Fish Commission officials view the Bull Shoals special deer hunt as a pilot project. Lessons hopefully can be learned, and similar operations can be conducted in other cities with problems of too many deer in town.

Bull Shoals isn’t a typical Arkansas small town. The hunters aren’t roaming through subdivisions looking for deer standing on manicured lawns. Bull Shoals’ terrain is extremely steep in much of the town, rocky and tree-covered. Property lines aren’t easily determined.

The leaders of the Bull Shoals effort already are saying this hunt won’t cure the headaches. Winston Parkinson, a Bull Shoals resident who helped plan the hunt, commented after the opening day, “We’ll have to do this again next year and maybe several years after that.”
Deer Population Control Methods - FACTS

The key feature of Capture Myopathy is HYPERTHERMIA - in other words an increase in body temperature.

Essentially "Capture Myopathy"is a disease complex associated with capture or handling of any wild species of mammals or birds.

It will occur when an animal is unable to cool itself and may result from a variety of factors including overexertion, drugs, a heavy coat, reduced blood flow or high environmental temperatures.

In human medicine the nearest equivalent is "muscle melt-down" of stressed athletes.

Drugs used for restraint - particularly xylazine, cause an increase in body temperature. This is one reason why these drugs MUST be reversed after use.

Muscles exert a pumping action as an animal moves and this aids blood flow. When normal movement is taking place 15% of the total blood volume is in the muscles. In a drugged animal 25% will pool in the muscles causing a drop in blood pressure.

Not only does fresh oxygen arrive, but lactic acid builds up and cooling is reduced.

Fear is the single most important role in capture myopathy. Weaning is the best time to condition deer to prevent fear ever being a problem. Any animal with a bad temperament should be culled.

Restraint and transport should be avoided on hot days. Temperatures above 27oC should be avoided. Shade must be supplied.

There are four categories of capture myopathy according to the way the condition presents itself. These are PERACUTE, ACUTE, SUBACUTE and CHRONIC.

Death may occur in a matter of minutes due to low blood pH, acidosis, potassium release from damaged muscles and heart failure. There are few post-mortem signs.

This is a less severe form of the above with the animal lingering before death. Muscle rupture may occur and the animal, if able to stand, will be ataxic. The condition could be confused with Enzootic Ataxia. Dearth occurs in 24 - 48 hrs.

Again a less severe form of the above with the acidosis causing muscle and kidney damage. The urine may be a dark brown colour. Recumbent animals often have their necks twisted back - known as "Wryneck" in New Zealand. Death takes a few days.

These animal survive several days or months but will often die suddenly from a heart attack.

Prevention is the only treatment for this condition. Once the condition starts it is always fatal.

I would like to thank the Missouri Department of Conservation, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Deer Industry Association of Australia for all the information for this article.

One more thing before I let you go, if reading the capture myopathy section does not make you mad as a hunter, conservationist or for that matter a true American that today's freedom and modern society exist because your fore fathers hunted, nothing ever will. I know that with a arrow or bullet the kill is quick and no meat is wasted and the animal memory is preserved.

Some people may think that duck hunters are the true fanatics of the hunting world. Well let me set the record straight, for us true deer hunters there is no such thing as an off season. Maybe a lull and even a weak moment but the true deer hunter’s drive their wives or even husbands crazy with a 365 day and night addiction.

Let me walk you through the monthly activities of a Missouri deer hunter and the monthly activities of a typical Whitetail and even some wild turkeys might step walk in during the year.

While the New Year maybe under way, there is no snow melting under a hunter’s feet this time a year. With whitetail deer movement limited, and the deer switch to daytime activity, moving around when it is warmer. Yarding activity is ongoing and even antler shedding by younger bucks begins.

All the stops are pulled out, hunting when the holidays will allow. With all the late season tactics of hunting the best food sources we can find and the funnels hoping to catch the monach of the woods who fooled all the other hunters during the season.

Even taking down deer stands, cleaning out cabin of the memories of the season past.

Well most of the whitetail hunting has come to a heart felt end. Either you were successful or the whitetail in you neck of the woods out smarted you again.

This time of year, we just don’t sit on the couch dreaming about what could have been. This is just the true beginning of the next year season. With some scouting while the snow is on and the look out for the shed antlers to tell you someone else did not get the big boy last season.

By the end of the month some of us start planting whitetail clover, building new tree stands, cutting new ATV and walking trails along with getting mineral licks ready and even putting some fertilizers & lime out.

Believe it or not the, deer hunters do pause this time of year to start listening for their secondary passion the wild turkey. Since gobbling starts this time of year in some states. We have one more excuse to hit the woods and continue to look for sheds while scouting for the birds of spring.

We even may take in a show like the Missouri Deer Classic in Columbia to find out what monster deer hit the ground this year. Or if you are the lucky one have your deer officially scored.

With deer, especially bucks become more solitary this time of year and the does feeding frequently in food plots to provide the needs for their fetus, and the fetus growth accelerated.

We deer hunter have change from deer hunter to turkey hunter, buy tags and patterning guns, teaching our kids how to call, shoot and enjoying the early days of spring. With hopefully a big bang, and a 20-pound wild turkey makes into your freezer by the end of the month.

With the wild turkey season under way, we also use this excuse to be in the woods, planting food plots with milo and other food and putting some finishing touches on deer stand and location we wish we would have had a stand.

With our dreams starting to grow from velvet and winter hair shedding is almost complete the deer require more salt this time of year. So be sure and have your minerals out for the antlers and to help with fetus growth.

With antler growth the most noticeable and the does showing increased nervousness, as birthing draws near, driving away fawns of pervious year, and the majority of fawn birthing taking place. Hope’s are high that we see more antlers when we are afield.

Also a pray for not much rain this time of year also goes on as the peak of the turkey hatch is also under way.

But for us deer hunters we are already deciding on which managed hunts we will probably apply for or which areas we need to get locked in for hunting rights.

For my part of the country this month is the month that makes all deer hunters happy. We can start buying our deer tags, apply for doe tags and even apply for managed deer hunts.

This is also the month that the conformity of antler growth is complete except for the tine tips and the length.

Bucks start forming bachelor groups and we start seeing fawn activity this month.

If you got them put them out. That is a game camera this time of year you can catch the first glimpse of what will be.

The Antler growth is completed by the end of the month, and the blood is cut off to the antlers, the velvet starts to peel “shed” off the last few days of the month.

Also another good time to refresh those mineral licks since believe it or not the shedding of the summer coat will begin.

For us deer hunters, you can start watching edges of crop fields just before dark for the big bucks and their bachelor groups.

This is the month we that just gets us pumped up, with dove season under way show us the first sign of fall when the birds are starting to head south. This is one of the best times to get some scouting done.

For the bucks the majority of velvet shedding takes place and is finished this month. Antler velvet is generally shed in a day. Even antler sparring among bucks begins right after velvet sheds.

Might even start find scrapes and rubs by the end of the month from the dominant buck in your area.

Even a luck few get to start bow hunting this time of year. If not a least the bows have come out of the gun cabinet and have started shooting if you haven’t started already.

For me this month is bigger than the opening day of firearms season, bow season for Missouri is under way. Hopefully we all get to spend as much time in the woods as possible.

For the bucks in the area, sparring and rubbing peaks last few days of the month and continues into the next month.

May even see some rutting activity from a few does and bucks this time of year if the temperature and the moon phases line up together.

By far the most favorite time of year for all types of deer hunters, bow hunters are seeing the first major signs of rutting, firearms hunters are all primed up that the bow hunter haven’t bag the big one yet and hoping for cool temperatures.

This time of year 80 to 90% of the does are breed and even some bucks will lose 25% of their body weight chasing and fighting for dominance. No wonder since they are in estrus for a 24 hour period.

Also this is the beginning of a lot of other hunting season, along with the first signs of the silly season for the non-hunting public, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Trying to spend time with your family and work in a last minute hunt is the sign of a loyal deer hunter or maybe a desperate one.

For Missouri we still have a great chance to step back in time with a Muzzleloading Season. Which can help the unlucky 200,000 hunters that did not tag out get one last chance.

But we true bow hunters are trying to catch that big bucks during the second rut. The second estrus by doe deer not previously bred arrives about 30 days from the first rut.

Along with getting to see some of the largest group of turkey you may ever see in a lifetime up to 100 to 200 in one group. This time of year you will even hear some gobbling. Even though I love to hear spring gobbling, when it is cold out the gobbling is much louder and makes you glad you went hunting on that day.

For each whitetail hunter we may do different things each month, but there is no such thing as the off season for the whitetail deer hunter. Time passes us by to fast to ever stop.

DOG'S AND DEER	TAILGATE UP or TAILGATE DOWN
CITY DEER	CAPTURE MYOPATHY

SOLUTION

NON-HUNTER

MISSOURI HISTORY

1. IMMUNO CONTRACEPTION VACCINES