November is widely considered Missouri's most bountiful month

Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Donna White with some of November's bounty, from bittersweet to persimmons. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

It is appropriate that Thanksgiving is in the month of November, especially for the outdoorsmen and women. It's the favorite month of the year for many outdoorsmen, including the fact that many hunting seasons are open. In addition, fishing is going strong and the weather is usually just right for many activities like hunting, fishing, camps, campfires and hiking.

November's a special month here in Missouri, offering hunters the quail season, followed by flights of waterfowl pouring into the state, and then deer hunters are busy going after that trophy buck.

Also, anglers are happy, as the big lakes are cooling down and fish are active. Earlier this month, Harold Rutledge told me next to April, November was his favorite month to catch white bass, crappie and catfish. He said, "I catch larger fish (in November) and have the lake much to myself compared to summer months."

As the November firearm deer hunters put away their deer rifles (except for the extended doe season on Dec. 2-4) there is still a lot of hunting left. Quail, pheasants, squirrel, rabbits and waterfowl, as well as furbearers are still legal, while archers still have an opportunity through Jan. 15 to bag a deer or turkey.

It is no wonder that I hear how lucky we are to live in Missouri when I travel to other states. I have heard it when fishing in Minnesota, or in Florida when fishing for bonefish in the Keys. It's not just luck that we have it so good compared to other states. Missouri is favored with a topography that includes ideal habitat for a broad range of game as well as streams and lakes that hold a wide variety of nearly every kind of freshwater fish.

It is somewhat ironic that we leave our state to go to other places to hunt or fish, including Minnesota for walleye, trout in Colorado, deer in Wyoming or pheasant in South Dakota. While on the way to these places, we probably pass Minnesotans, South Dakotans and Coloradoans all on their way to Missouri.

In deed we are enriched.

We have more than 16,000 miles of streams, and more than a dozen big impoundments. But just as important for the anglers, if not boaters, there are small waters within the state that are managed for fishing that does not include the thousands of privately owned ponds and small lakes that are available.

A bucket full of November crappie. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

Anyone who decides to pick up a rod to fish has the problem of deciding where to go. But it's not a problem of too little, rather it's so much. Our supply of fishing water still exceeds the demand, although sometimes it may seem otherwise.

Hunters have more variety and numbers of game than most can remember. Our deer herd thrives, while turkey hunting has become a major season. Waterfowl, squirrel and rabbits keep us happy, and the bobwhite quail are showing signs of improving. We aren't running out of hunting, although we are running out of space. Even if you don't fire a shot, it is still a good time to be out there trying.

Like last week for example, Loel Wilson and I settled into the duck blind waiting for the ducks to appear. They didn't, but we knew they were on their way from up north, and we will get them later this month. Anyway, it is all about the anticipation of the hunt, whether you are successful or not. Just being in the moment.

November is a great time to be outdoors, enjoying natures bounty with the crunch of dried leaves underfoot, cold nights and warm days.

On Thanksgiving day, our home reflects many reminders of field trips during the month. All the items gathered from the outdoors including walnuts, pecans and hickory nuts picked and ready for pies, cakes or cookies. There are also other goodies like persimmons, and hen of the woods mushrooms to enjoy .

Wild grapevines, bittersweet at the door and on the table decorating and commemorating our ever abundant outdoors. The dinner courses usually include a wild turkey, pheasant, mallard duck or quail. It's a great time of the year.

Successful November deer hunters. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

As the month runs out, we are reminded of how blessed we are living here in Missouri at the finest time of the year.

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