Outdoor living 8/17

Sunday, August 17, 2003

As we move into the dog days of August, fishing has slowed down and with the 90-degree temperatures we have experienced, its hard to think about hunting seasons, although they aren't that far away. While floating down Taneycomo, fishing for rainbows, with Larry Farmer and Dave Roberts, of Kansas City, the subject of the upcoming hunting seasons came up. Both anglers/hunters agreed that the forecast for a good hunting season across the state was a good one. Roberts said, "I know that where I saw one or two rabbits last year, I have seen as many as six. Hopefully they are making a comeback." That would please many hunters, including Farmer who recalled just how good the rabbit hunting was when he was growing up. "I remember well how good the hunting was," Farmer said. "There was no limit and I would carry all the rabbits I could until I nearly dropped. Times have really changed since then." A Berry County farmer, Bob Hastings, said he had been seeing lots of doves on and around his farm this month. "If the season opened this week, I know it wouldn't take very long to get the limit of 12 birds," he said. "Of course, there are usually lots of birds around until the last few days of August and then they move out just before the season opens. However, judging from the way things are now, it should be a good season." It may be a little early, but reports from up north would indicate that we should have another good waterfowl season this fall. At least the birds are up there. Hunting in general looks good for the fall of 2003. The population of deer is high and the fall firearm season that opens on Nov. 15 will see more liberal regulations. There are plenty of wild turkeys in the state, as well, and the fall hunt should be a good one. There are plenty of squirrels available again, but not too many hunters go after them in the summer because of heavy underbrush and ticks. Bob Thompson, Joplin, is one exception. "The hunting is excellent in late summer," he said. "By going out early, I usually get a limit and am back home before it gets too hot. One thing about squirrel hunting is that you don't have much competition," he said. Thompson noted that the gray squirrels outnumber the fox or red squirrels by far anymore. "I remember not too long ago a gray squirrel was not very common, but no so today," he said. Another squirrel hunter, Mark Larson, Springfield, has a good problem this time of year. Although the hunting is good early in the mornings, Larson also knows the white bass are hitting early on several of the big impoundments in south Missouri. "The fishing usually wins out," he said. "The squirrels aren't going too far, but the whites may be a mile up the lake a little later." It may be late summer, but hunting seasons aren't that far away.

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