August 2007 - Volume 68, Issue 8
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‘Twas the Night Before Hunting Season continued...
Today’s technology can also help you gain a better picture of the property. If you’re hunting conservation areas, vist www.missouriconservation.org or stop by your local Conservation Department office to pick up free maps.
For public or private land, detailed topographical maps (available for a nominal fee from the U.S. Geological Service at www.usgs.gov) can show landforms and vegetation that tend to funnel moving deer or rivers and streams that attract roosting turkeys. Aerial photos like the ones provided by www.earth.google.com are another valuable tool hunters can use to scout an area without leaving home.
Staying on Target
Hunters have a responsibility to the sport and to the game they’re after to hone their shooting skills. Grabbing your rifle or bow and shooting a few times the week or so before the season starts is probably not enough to stay sharp. By spending time at the shooting range throughout the year, your marksmanship will improve, and you’ll increase your chances of filling your permit during the hunting season.
One tip that’s always helped me harvest game quickly and cleanly is to always try to stop my quarry before taking a shot. It’s easier to hit a standing target than a moving one. Grunt to stop a deer for a broadside shot or emit a soft cluck on a mouth call to get a turkey to come out of strut. Make sure you’re ready to take the shot, however, because these wild critters aren’t going to stand there and offer a good shot for long.
Be Safe
Each year, falling from tree stands is the largest cause of hunter injuries. Double-check to make sure your stand is secure and always wear a safety harness when you’re in a tree.
When temperatures are 100 degrees in August or near zero in January, most people aren’t thinking about taking a hunter education class, but they should. Summer and winter months are great times to enroll because there are usually plenty of openings. Taking classes in the off-season also frees you up for scouting during the prime months of fall and spring.
Hunter safety isn’t something that ends once you receive your certificate and head to the field. It should become a way of life through your words as well as your actions.
About This Article
Author
WARREN ROSE is the Outreach and Education regional supervisor in SW Missouri. He lives in Springfield with his wife, Sherri, and their son, Nicholas. Warren has worked for the Department for five years and is a life long avid outdoorsman. He enjoys hunting and sharing outdoor traditions with family and friends.
