Short window Missouri hunts

[Clarson757]

Last 4 years I’ve been able to go hunt in Missouri for whitetail. I’ve connected on 4 doe all inside 40 yards. Both from the ground and my saddle.

This year I really want a legal buck (4 points or better on one side is legal in this county). Last year I did a lot more scouting than ever before. I found buck bedding on public just behind the family farm. Last year I jumped two off their bed going into this area. Had a few giants on camera feeding under some white oaks less than 50 yards from the bedding.

I’m going back next week for the whole week. Should I start fresh and scout all over? Head straight to that bedding area and hunt the wind for that spot? Look for and hunt over fresh scrapes?

My uncle just connected on his farm with a nice 8 point on a food plot. Should I sit that plot or try to get in bed with these bucks? Feeling a bit anxious but trying not to put pressure on myself and just enjoy the opportunity.

 

[signing off]

Trust your scouting for a hunt or two. In central southern MO, they are on acorns right now. And Sun and Mon scrapes have been opening up.
With a solid week of hunting, something good should happen.

 

[*zap*]

Good luck.

 

[Clarson757]

Trust your scouting for a hunt or two. In central southern MO, they are on acorns right now. And Sun and Mon scrapes have been opening up.
With a solid week of hunting, something good should happen.

That’s what my general strategy was. Get close to the bedding area, check the oaks, look for fresh scrapes and figure out a setup.

Starting with still hunting my way into the area I want to get to. There is one spot I want to try some aggressive rattle sequences early based on the wind. See if anyone is home.

 

[Rich M]

You will do better if you dont announce your presence.

 

[3855WIN]

You’ll be rifle hunting the rut. In that situation, I set up to cover a lot of country with the rifle.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Can I ask what county you are hunting? Because the 4-pt rule has been lifted in most.

 

[Clarson757]

Clinton/ Calhoun county. I only archery hunt out there and my trip has already come and gone.

I was there the week of 10/20. Ended up hunting a lot of nasty bedding with great success. Was on deer every sit. Many encounters inside of 20 yards. Hunted from the ground and tree stand.

Saw some rut action too with a few bucks chasing really hard. Just never had an encounter with a legal buck and didn’t want to muck up the areas with a doe getting dropped.

Moon phase, weather, fronts etc. is something I don’t really buy into personally. I have had multiple experiences where deer are moving at 1pm in 90 degree heat. Just doesn’t make sense to me that many people attempt to apply human logic to predict a wild animals behavior. Deer gotta move, eat, drink etc no matter what Mother Nature says. Deer aren’t planning out their week. They’re living hour by hour in survival mode at all times.

This trip was different in that I spent a lot of time in new areas. Almost hunting a new spot every set or day. Hunting bedding, terrain and funnels as best I could. Was pretty tactical on entry and exit, using creek beds and river banks to move undetected. I didn’t really see a ton of scrapes or fresh rubs, ant least in aread that historically have hosted tons of sign and good bucks and doe numbers. Acorns seemed to have dropped entirely by the time I got there and I was about a week too late for the beans and corn harvest. Had a huge thunderstorm come through and took me out for an entire day.

Found a ton of turkey this trip too and even had one gobble. A few beaver spots too. Pretty cool trip all around and it’s got me excited to hit it hard again next year. Using some new tactics and taking more time to observe areas without barging in and blowing it up paid off. If I were hunting rifle I feel confident I’d have a dandy one down.

Next evolution for me is going in with trad bow next time. I’m a gluten for the punishment and I’ve convinced myself it will force me to be a better woodsman and hopefully a better hunter.