[SeMissourian.com] Fair ~ 54°F  
High: 72°F ~ Low: 52°F
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Fishing heats up on area lakes and ponds (05/10/13)
When the three-week turkey season concluded on April 15, hunters like Jack Martin, Springfield, turned into anglers. "Fishing goes on all year, but the turkey season only last three weeks in the spring. So now, I am ready to do some serious fishing," he said...
Catch and release fishing garners mixed response (05/03/13)
The most significant development in fishing over the past 50 years is the advent of catch and release. Even though this seems beyond reproach, there are some detractors to the practice. Anglers get a lot of enjoyment by stalking and fooling fish, but after the battle has ended, the fish goes back into the water instead of a frying pan. Usually, the fish is no worse for wear and is ready to strike another's lure...
There's more to turkey hunting than getting a bird (04/26/13)
The spring turkey season -- which runs from April 15 through May 5 -- shows that turkey hunting in Missouri has come a long way. Spring turkey hunters took 21,437 bearded birds in Missouri during the first week of this season. Leading counties were: Franklin with 560, followed by Texas with 444 and Sainte Genevieve 413...
Spring trout fishing picks up in Missouri waters (04/19/13)
While many outdoorsmen were busy getting ready for the spring turkey season, others were spending their time fishing. It didn't take long to find out if the trout were hitting on Lake Taneycomo last week when Phil Lilley, owner of Lilleys' Landing Resort and Marina, and I headed out on a cold and windy day. After a short boat ride up the lake, Lilley stopped the boat and said, "There should be plenty of rainbows in this stretch of water."...
Up the creek: It's not always a bad place to be (04/13/13)
While many fishermen were busy running up and down the lake in pursuit of white bass and crappie as spring began, there were many others up the creek catching fish. One of the best places to fish early in the spring can be one of the many creeks in the Ozarks, including Swan, Beaver, and Flat Creek. We chose Turnback Creek in Dade County to test the water...
Turkey time: Spring hunting season to begin in Missouri this weekend (04/06/13)
It's turkey time! With cooperation from the weather, this could be another very good season. While heading for the river to get in on the white bass, crappie and walleye runs, I nearly ran off the road when I saw three big gobblers all fanned out in front of several hens. It's a sight that gets the adrenaline going...
April marks prime Missouri mushroom hunting season (03/29/13)
It's almost here. April, my favorite month of the year, with turkeys gobbling, fish spawning, mushrooms popping and nature coming alive. It's a great time for the outdoors people. We remember a recent April when we finished the month by picking more than 50 nice morel mushrooms after taking two big gobblers and limits of big crappie...
Early spring marks prime season for white bass anglers across Missouri (03/22/13)
You can catch a white bass just about any time of the year in the Ozarks, but anglers really get excited about fishing for whites in the early spring when the fish gather in large numbers to spawn. Recently, a report of small white bass males starting to run up area lake tributaries fired up a lot of fishermen to the "hot spots" where the whites run in the spring. ...
Shore-birds catch lunkers, too (03/15/13)
Have you watched televised fishing shows lately? Most would have you believe that you can only catch fish with a $25,000 fishing boat. Don't sell the cane pole at a garage sale just yet. Bank fishermen can and will experience success like boat anglers, but with a slightly different approach...
Missouri spoonbill snagging season to begin March 15 (03/08/13)
With the season now open in the four state trout parks, many anglers will be joining the growing number of fishermen who throw a heavy weighted hook, cast and hope to snag a fish that might weigh 30 to 100 pounds. We are talking about snagging for spoonbills, which starts Friday, March 15. One Springfield angler, Jack Thomas, was fishing at Bennett Spring on the opening day of the trout parks...
Trout anglers flock to state parks for opening day (03/02/13)
March madness doesn't just apply to basketball. It has a meaning all its own when it comes to trout fishing. Opening day at the trout parks is also March madness at its best. On Friday, March 1, thousands of trout anglers invaded the state's four trout parks at Bennett Spring, Roaring River, Montauk and Maramec, in the annual ritual that starts the unofficial opening of the spring fishing season. More than 8,000 anglers were expected to be in attendance for the opener, weather permitting...
February marks prime trout fishing time (02/22/13)
February is the best time of the year to catch big trout on Lake Taneycomo, according to many hardy anglers who fish the cold waters of the popular trout stream. For many years, my largest trout of the year have come from Taneycomo, including an 8-pounder I caught in February. On a recent trip to the lake, I found there are many other anglers who think this month is the best time to go after lunker trout on the lake...
February marks good times for outdoorsmen (02/09/13)
February, with its cold and dreary days, can cause outdoorsmen and women to get cabin fever, but it doesn't have to be that way. There are many ways to enjoy the month while waiting for the trout parks to open and the crappie and walleye runs that spring brings...
Beagles and Bunnies (02/02/13)
Although the cottontail rabbit numbers are down from the good old days, there are still pockets of huntable numbers of bunnies. Tim Marshall, Lebanon, Mo., is one of those rabbit hunters who waits for snow on the ground to go rabbit hunting. He said, "When the snow starts falling, there is no better time to go rabbit hunting. So far this season, I haven't been out but one time. As the season runs out, I would be happy to see some snow."...
Alabama Rig: The next big thing for anglers? (01/26/13)
Fishermen are always looking for that lure that will catch fish. It seems that every year, there is a new lure on the market that draws anglers to the fishing tackle department. Years ago, there was the Shannon Twin Spin that boasted that there never was and never will be a bait that would beat the Shannon. ...
Shed antlers make great winter hunting (01/12/13)
The hunting seasons are running out now that quail, squirrel, pheasant, archery for deer and turkey, as well as duck hunting are nearly over. The dead of winter finds many Missourians with cabin fever, but one activity during the next month peaks and offers a way to fight that cabin fever. That activity is shed antler hunting...
Outdoors year in review (12/28/12)
What will 2013 hold for the Missouri outdoorsman? What did 2012 hold? In looking back over the past year, it's time to review some of the biggest news items that came from the outdoors. One of the biggest events that affected outdoorsmen in the past year was the long drought that was tough on wildlife and fish across not only the state of Missouri, but the entire nation...
December makes for great crappie fishing (12/14/12)
The many anglers who are waiting for the great crappie fishing when the spawning run begins in April are missing out on some good winter fishing for these great-tasting fish. Harold Simms, Monett, Mo., who fishing in the winter months at Table Rock, said, "Those crappie always taste great, but they are even better in the winter when the cold water makes the flesh firm and tasty. ...
Share the Harvest (12/08/12)
With more than 200,000 deer harvested so far this year, it should be another big year for the Share the Harvest program. For successful hunters that would like to share their harvest this season, an effective program appropriately called, "Share the Harvest" allows hunters to donate deer meat to families in need. This charitable program that started in 1992, allows hunters to legally donate venison to people in need of food...
As deer hunters pack it in, waterfowl hunters get busy (11/24/12)
While the firearms deer hunters were winding down their good season, waterfowl hunters were busy last Thursday. The cold weather up north had pushed thousands of ducks and geese into the state and, as of Thursday, the entire state was open for hunting...
Trophy Bucks: Every hunter's dream (11/17/12)
The opening weekend of the firearms deer season was a bust for many hunters as weather prevented the results that were expected. On Saturday, warm and windy weather kept the deer from moving and on Sunday, rain and cold kept many hunters inside. Bob Mason, Springfield, said, "I know the deer are out there, but you couldn't tell it last weekend. We still have a few days to get that trophy buck I have been watching for more than a month."...
Hunting: It's no longer just a man's game (11/03/12)
The image of a deer hunter has changed over the years. The orange clad hunters aren't just the grizzled men bent on killing a trophy buck. Today, the deer hunter might be a grandmother or grandfather, hunting with one of their grandchildren. Women and children are a growing part of the deer hunting community...
A few tips for turkey hunters (10/27/12)
At first light on Monday morning, two turkey hunters were at the same spot near Stockton Lake, where on the opening day of the fall season last year, they took two turkeys. They hoped the same thing would happen again this fall. Having scouted the area last week, they found turkeys using the area, so their hopes were high as they settled down in a grove of oak trees next to an open field and waited...
Taxidermy business booms as hunting seasons progress (10/20/12)
With the firearms deer season opening in less than a month and hunting in general going strong, taxidermists across the area are preparing for big business. One taxidermist, who has been at it for 20 years, is ready for the onslaught of hunters that have success in the field and want to keep memories of that special trophy...
Why outdoorsmen love October (10/13/12)
The recent cold weather came just in time to make waterfowl hunters like Robert Underwood, Springfield, feel more like going goose hunting . This year, the Missouri Department of Conservation, set an early season on Canada geese from Oct. 6-14, with a daily limit of three and possession limit of six birds...
Hunters ready for fall turkey season (09/29/12)
Another chapter in the successful modern day fall turkey season is set for the entire month of October. Fall turkey hunting is different from the spring hunt and many hunters pass up the fall season to concentrate on other hunting or fishing, which is still good in many streams and impoundments...
Drought and high temperatures take a toll on area wildlife (09/01/12)
The ongoing drought has affected wildlife, fish and trees across Missouri and although some rain and cooler temperatures have given a little help, the extreme heat and lack of moisture are causing problems. Josh Cussimanio, area manager at the Schell-Osage Wildlife area near Nevada, said, "There will be no teal season here this year. ...
Paddlefish, an oddity of nature, attracts many (03/12/11)
Now that the four Missouri trout parks have opened, snaggers in the state will be enjoying some of the best paddlefishing in the country in less than a week. This Tuesday, March 15, is a date marked on the snagger's calendar just like March 1, when the trout parks open, because that is the date the snagging for paddlefish starts in Missouri...
July brings rise to catfishing (07/09/10)
Jack Thompson, Bolivar, Mo., is happy to see the Fourth of July come and go because that is when he starts getting serious about going after the catfish in area lakes and ponds. Last year, on July 6, Thompson landed a 47-pound blue catfish and that was just the beginning of a lot of catfish hooked by this catfisherman last year...
Turkey hunters gear up for spring season (04/03/10)
While heading for the lake to get in on the walleye and white bass run, I nearly ran off the road when I saw three big tom turkeys all fanned out near several hens. It's a sight to see and would get any turkey hunter's adrenaline going, like finding a big bunch of morel mushrooms...
Operation Game Thief helps catch game law violators (02/20/10)
Hunting seasons are all but over, however, as Fred Parker, Kansas City told me recently, "If you have people and wildlife, you will have violations. You will also have people who detest the violators and thus will turn them in if promised anonymity and a bit of caash incentive."...
Kansas City Sportshow attracts anglers to Missouri (01/09/10)
As the new year starts, it must be time for the Kansas City Sportshow and a trip to a Missouri lake for several Iowa anglers who work the show and have done so for many years. As usual, either before or during the Sportshow, snow is on the ground. Tom Nelson and Fred Anderson, Des Moines, Iowa, have found good fishing in one of the Missouri big impoundments for more than 20 years prior to the Sportshow and usually catch their largest bass of the entire year...
Rabbit hunters welcome winter snow (01/02/10)
When the recent snow started falling, many rabbit hunters started to smile and make preparations to load up the beagles and go hunting. The cottontail population, although down from the good old days in the 40s and 50s, is better than it was a few years ago...
Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend enforcement efforts slated for Troop D (11/28/09)
When the family is at our house each year for Thanksgiving dinner, we celebrate a truly American Thanksgiving holiday. Headlining the feast is a wild turkey that fell to a hunter's gun. Also on the table will be other wild food gathered from the outdoors, including wild plum and grape jelly, persimmon bread, wild grape wine and pecan pie...
Disappointed hunters continue searching for success (11/22/09)
There were a lot of disappointed deer hunters Sunday when the rain hit and slowed down the hunting. Traditionally, deer hunters harvest around 60 percent of the deer that first weekend, but the rain cut down the results and over the first weekend, hunters took 86,202 deer statewide, which was down considerably from previous years...
Deer hunters gear up for firearms season (11/13/09)
This Saturday, Nov.14, more than 400,000 orange clad deer hunters will start off the 2009 firearm season looking for that trophy buck or a nice sized doe and many will be rewarded as opening day and weekend results in a sizable harvest in the 11-day season...
Fall turkey season proves successful for many hunters (11/07/09)
The 2009 fall firearm turkey season that ended last Saturday, proving what most turkey hunters already knew; there are a lot of turkeys in Missouri woods and although there are a few less today than a month ago, the state's turkey flock is in good shape. The fall season, that ran the entire month of October, saw hunters take 8,355 turkeys with Greene County leading the way with 266 birds checked, followed by Webster with 223 and Wright with 215...
Bow hunters flock to Missouri woods (10/31/09)
Hunting seasons are popping up like spring mushrooms. Starting this month, rabbit and turkey seasons opened and the statewide archery deer and turkey season started last month as quietly as an arrow cruises through a misty autumn morning. The duck season opened in the north zone for the youth portion last weekend with the usual fanfare while the rabbit season that opened on Oct. 1, was barely noticed, although their numbers are up slightly...
Snipe: Fact or fiction? (10/17/09)
You can tell it's hunting time since I received my official snipe hunting field guide, which included a master snipe hunter patch, a booklet of snipe hunting lore and a printed snipe gunnysack. Yes, there is such a bird called snipe and yes, hunters do shoot them with a shotgun and never use a gunnysack to catch them, in spite of what you may have heard...
Ponds provide numerous outdoor advantages (09/26/09)
There are thousands of ponds in the state and most of them contain fish, which makes anglers from kids to grandparents happy. Many anglers started out by catching bluegill or catfish from a pond and got hooked on the sport. Even hunters like ponds because they furnish water for migrating birds and are home to many other wildlife creatures including bullfrogs as well as a watering hole for deer and other animals...
Conditions looking good for duck and teal hunters (09/19/09)
When Tom Martin and Sam Nelson, Nevada, arrived at the Schell-Osage Wildlife Area to open the teal season last Saturday, they never bothered to load their shotguns upon seeing the water conditions and the lack of birds on the area. Nelson said, "I had heard there weren't many teal on the area and not much water, but we thought it would be better than what we found...
Crappie anglers brave wet weather, reap rewards on area rivers (09/11/09)
The big Labor Day Weekend started with a phone call from Les Jarman, a top notch guide on Stockton Lake for nearly 40 years. "What do you think?" he said. "They are calling for rain, but I know we can catch crappie up the Little Sac River. My son, Luke, has been catching them for over a month."...
Dove hunters head out for opening week (09/05/09)
September 1 marked the unofficial opening of the hunting season as hunters started off the dove, rail and snipe seasons. Opening day dove hunters at the popular James A. Reed Wildlife Area in Lee's Summit started off the season at noon Tuesday. Some 620 hunters took 1,987 birds. Bob Whitworth said it was a fair start of the season, but not as good as last year. The dove season runs through Nov. 9, but most of the birds are taken during the first week of the season...
Ken White
Outdoor Living