Be aware of changing regulations

Fall is here, and to many outdoorsmen fall means deer hunting.

Missouri has two deer hunting seasons: firearms and archery.

The archery season is in two segments, and the firearms season consists of five portions: urban, youth-only, November, muzzleloader and antlerless-only.

Hunters took 260,162 deer in the 2007 firearms season. The future remains bright for Missouri deer hunters.

Many changes have been made for the current deer season.  For complete details, see the Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Information booklet, which is available from permit vendors and Conservation Department offices.

Many are inquiring about  the 4-point rule. The 4-point antler restriction has been expanded and does include Pettis County. 
In counties with antler restrictions, an antlered deer must have at least four points on one side to be taken.

Each of the following counts as a point:
• an antler point, if it is at least one inch long
• the brow tine, if it is at least one inch long
• the end of the main beam
• any broken tine that is at least one inch long.

If you harvest a buck that has shed its antlers or broken the antlers off less then three inches from their base, record the harvest on Telecheck as an antlered buck with zero points.

Hunting tips for counties with antler-point restrictions

Bring binoculars and give yourself plenty of time to count antler points before you take a shot. Wait for a buck that has at least four points on one side.

Successful hunters wait for the best shot — when the deer turns broadside.

Learn to recognize antlers from this view to minimize errors in the field.

Legal-to-take does, button bucks and bucks with spikes less than three inches are legal to take on antlerless or any-deer permits; but for deer management, it is better to take does.

Protected deer include all antlered deer (defined as having at least one antler three inches or longer) that do not have a minimum of at least four points on one side.

Letting younger males mature will increase the number of adult bucks in the future.

Hunter’s education

Classes are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Sedalia Rod and Gun Club and Oct. 17 and 18 at State Fair Community College.

Classes run from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Contact the Missouri Department of Conservation  Sedalia office at 530-5500 to register for one of these classes.

Duck hunting

Anyone who is 11 to 15 years old and would like to try the sport of duck hunting is invited to attend a youth duck hunting clinic.

Participants will meet on Oct. 24 for a prehunt orientation that will include topics such as wing shooting, habitat, calling and duck identification.

On Oct. 25, the attendees will be taken on a guided hunt to try their luck in the field.

Participants must pre-register and only a limited number of participants will be allowed.  Equipment is available to those that do not have their own.

To pre-register for the event contact Mark Miller at 530-5500.

For questions about regulations or to report wildlife violations, call me at 827-8962 or
998-0570.   Reward money is available. You can remain anonymous.