Missouri woods still hold plenty of trophy deer

Oxford · 11-23-2003, 02:51 PM

We're in the middle of deer hunting in this region. Try northern Missouri if you're looking for the big bucks.
Ox
---------------------

Posted on Sat, Nov. 22, 2003

Missouri woods still hold plenty of trophy
deer
By BRENT FRAZEE
The Kansas City Star

Listen politely when old-timers talk about how good Missouri deer hunting
was back in the "good old days."

Then forget everything you heard.

Fact is, these are the best of times for Missouri deer hunters. Not only are
there more deer than ever before, there are more trophy bucks, too.

Don't believe it? Talk to Daryl Blum of Kahoka, Mo.

When he went out on opening day last year, he accomplished something
that commanded attention from hunters across the nation. He shot the
biggest typical whitetail buck taken in North America in 2002.

And in the process, he served proof that the chances of shooting a
record-book buck have seldom looked better in Missouri.

"It used to be the talk of the town when someone would see a big buck
up here," said Blum, who took the deer in Lewis County. "Now it's no big
deal.

"When we're out scouting, we'll see a lot of nice-sized bucks. We're
seeing more and more every year."

Granted, there aren't many like the one Blum shot. That 11-point deer
had a typical rack that scored 1986/8 points -- good for third on
Missouri's all-time firearms list.

But hunters entered the woods Saturday for the firearms opener knowing
that other big ones are still out there for the taking.

"Missouri deer have the genetics and the food needed to grow big
antlers," said Rodney Owen, an avid bow hunter from Blue Springs. "In
many cases, the only thing they lack is the age. A lot of our bucks are
shot by the time they're 11/2-to 21/2-years old.

"If they can survive beyond that, they have a chance of growing huge
racks."

Owen already has produced the proof this fall. While bow hunting in Clay
County, he shot a 21-point non-typical buck that should rank in Missouri's
top 10 all-time listing for archery-killed deer.

That deer is just one more example that this is a golden era for Show-Me
hunters dreaming of taking a trophy.

Take a look at the figures:

• Six of the top 10 typical bucks ever taken by firearms hunters in the
state were shot in the last decade.

• Two of the top three bucks in the non-typical firearms listings were shot
in the 2000s. A deer that scored 2823/8, shot in 2001 by Kevin Thomas in
Saline County, ranks first. A buck that scored 2403/8, taken in 2000 by
Greg Wilmoth in Lawrence County, ranks third.

• Archery hunters have been similarly successful in recent years. The top
three bucks in the typical records listings were taken in the last four
years. And five of the top 10 in the non-typical listings were shot in the
last decade.

By far, the highest percentage of hunters receiving recognition from the
Missouri Show-Me Big Bucks Club for taking trophy bucks has been
entered in the last 10 years.

Why the trend toward bigger deer? Dale Ream, the keeper of state
records for the Missouri Show-Me Big Bucks Club, credits several factors.

"I think a lot of folks are practicing trophy deer management," said
Ream, who lives in Unionville, Mo. "They're providing the groceries
necessary to grow big bucks. In many cases, they're planting food plots
that give the deer a steady food source. And during the hunting season,
they're passing on the smaller bucks and letting them grow older.

"That alone is making a difference in the number of big deer we're
seeing."

Wildlife biologists say the sheer number of deer in the state plays a part,
too.

They estimate that Missouri now is home to more than 1 million deer, a
healthy percentage of them bucks.

While hunting pressure in the state is high and many of those bucks are
shot by the time they are 21/2 years old, more deer are surviving to
grow to trophy sizes.

"A lot of times, it's luck of the draw," said Lonnie Hansen, a deer resource
scientist for the Missouri Department of Conservation. "If a buck either
lives in an area that isn't hunted or hunters pass on shooting him when he
is smaller, he can grow some impressive antlers in Missouri."

But age isn't the only determining factor in the size of those antlers,
Hansen said. Genetics and food source also play a part.

That's why northern Missouri produces the highest percentage of the
state's trophy bucks. It has the crops to provide deer with a steady,
nutritious supply of food.

That's where Blum was hunting when he shot his monstrous buck last
year.

"We're up here in the northeast corner, where Missouri, Iowa and Illinois
meet, and it's always been good deer country," he said. "We have a lot of
crops mixed with timber and pastures.

"It's just ideal habitat for deer."

Blum was hunting out of a treestand overlooking bottom land, an area
filled with deer trails. He put the stand up 12 years ago, and has taken a
deer out of that area almost every year since.

But nothing came close to matching the experience he had last year.

"I knew there was a big one in the area," Blum said. "The landowner told
me he had seen a monster in the summer when he was out working his
fields.

"At about 8:15 (a.m.) on opening day, I saw two does come out of the
brush, then I saw this big one. When I saw that his rack was sticking
above the tall grass that he was in, I knew he was huge.

"Bucks like that don't come along every day."

:right:

jerry · 11-23-2003, 04:11 PM

must have been some of the big bucks that got drunk on fermented apples and stumbled over from Iowa, then met a few ladies

Oxford · 11-23-2003, 07:36 PM

That would be a "typical" buck method of operation...that is until after the doe's slowed down and became friendly with big boys.

Till then...the only food they want is a hot blooded female deer.

:right:

Pumpkinheaver · 11-23-2003, 11:13 PM

That being said I popped a spike on thursday. Cooked the tenderloins that night over a open fire. Darn if that isn't good!!!

jerry · 11-24-2003, 05:28 AM

:right:

Oxford · 11-24-2003, 11:35 AM

Pumpkinheaver...where were you hunting?

Venison tenderloin is hard to beat...and having cooked it over an open fire that's got to be really tasty.:cheer: :right: Now...what did you do with the rest of that corpse?:jaw:

Pumpkinheaver · 11-24-2003, 02:58 PM

Picked the rest up today from the processer. I'm eating a burger now! Hunting just outside of Fredricktown Mo at a buddies spot. It's been slow thats why I shot a spike but he sure will eat well.

Oxford · 11-30-2003, 05:42 PM

His eating days are over. However, your eating days are just beginning.:right:

11-23-2003, 02:51 PM	#1
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,024 Blog Entries: 4	Missouri woods still hold plenty of trophy deer We're in the middle of deer hunting in this region. Try northern Missouri if you're looking for the big bucks. Ox --------------------- Posted on Sat, Nov. 22, 2003 Missouri woods still hold plenty of trophy deer By BRENT FRAZEE The Kansas City Star Listen politely when old-timers talk about how good Missouri deer hunting was back in the "good old days." Then forget everything you heard. Fact is, these are the best of times for Missouri deer hunters. Not only are there more deer than ever before, there are more trophy bucks, too. Don't believe it? Talk to Daryl Blum of Kahoka, Mo. When he went out on opening day last year, he accomplished something that commanded attention from hunters across the nation. He shot the biggest typical whitetail buck taken in North America in 2002. And in the process, he served proof that the chances of shooting a record-book buck have seldom looked better in Missouri. "It used to be the talk of the town when someone would see a big buck up here," said Blum, who took the deer in Lewis County. "Now it's no big deal. "When we're out scouting, we'll see a lot of nice-sized bucks. We're seeing more and more every year." Granted, there aren't many like the one Blum shot. That 11-point deer had a typical rack that scored 1986/8 points -- good for third on Missouri's all-time firearms list. But hunters entered the woods Saturday for the firearms opener knowing that other big ones are still out there for the taking. "Missouri deer have the genetics and the food needed to grow big antlers," said Rodney Owen, an avid bow hunter from Blue Springs. "In many cases, the only thing they lack is the age. A lot of our bucks are shot by the time they're 11/2-to 21/2-years old. "If they can survive beyond that, they have a chance of growing huge racks." Owen already has produced the proof this fall. While bow hunting in Clay County, he shot a 21-point non-typical buck that should rank in Missouri's top 10 all-time listing for archery-killed deer. That deer is just one more example that this is a golden era for Show-Me hunters dreaming of taking a trophy. Take a look at the figures: • Six of the top 10 typical bucks ever taken by firearms hunters in the state were shot in the last decade. • Two of the top three bucks in the non-typical firearms listings were shot in the 2000s. A deer that scored 2823/8, shot in 2001 by Kevin Thomas in Saline County, ranks first. A buck that scored 2403/8, taken in 2000 by Greg Wilmoth in Lawrence County, ranks third. • Archery hunters have been similarly successful in recent years. The top three bucks in the typical records listings were taken in the last four years. And five of the top 10 in the non-typical listings were shot in the last decade. By far, the highest percentage of hunters receiving recognition from the Missouri Show-Me Big Bucks Club for taking trophy bucks has been entered in the last 10 years. Why the trend toward bigger deer? Dale Ream, the keeper of state records for the Missouri Show-Me Big Bucks Club, credits several factors. "I think a lot of folks are practicing trophy deer management," said Ream, who lives in Unionville, Mo. "They're providing the groceries necessary to grow big bucks. In many cases, they're planting food plots that give the deer a steady food source. And during the hunting season, they're passing on the smaller bucks and letting them grow older. "That alone is making a difference in the number of big deer we're seeing." Wildlife biologists say the sheer number of deer in the state plays a part, too. They estimate that Missouri now is home to more than 1 million deer, a healthy percentage of them bucks. While hunting pressure in the state is high and many of those bucks are shot by the time they are 21/2 years old, more deer are surviving to grow to trophy sizes. "A lot of times, it's luck of the draw," said Lonnie Hansen, a deer resource scientist for the Missouri Department of Conservation. "If a buck either lives in an area that isn't hunted or hunters pass on shooting him when he is smaller, he can grow some impressive antlers in Missouri." But age isn't the only determining factor in the size of those antlers, Hansen said. Genetics and food source also play a part. That's why northern Missouri produces the highest percentage of the state's trophy bucks. It has the crops to provide deer with a steady, nutritious supply of food. That's where Blum was hunting when he shot his monstrous buck last year. "We're up here in the northeast corner, where Missouri, Iowa and Illinois meet, and it's always been good deer country," he said. "We have a lot of crops mixed with timber and pastures. "It's just ideal habitat for deer." Blum was hunting out of a treestand overlooking bottom land, an area filled with deer trails. He put the stand up 12 years ago, and has taken a deer out of that area almost every year since. But nothing came close to matching the experience he had last year. "I knew there was a big one in the area," Blum said. "The landowner told me he had seen a monster in the summer when he was out working his fields. "At about 8:15 (a.m.) on opening day, I saw two does come out of the brush, then I saw this big one. When I saw that his rack was sticking above the tall grass that he was in, I knew he was huge. "Bucks like that don't come along every day." :right: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

11-23-2003, 04:11 PM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,903 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	must have been some of the big bucks that got drunk on fermented apples and stumbled over from Iowa, then met a few ladies __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

11-23-2003, 07:36 PM	#3
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,024 Blog Entries: 4	That would be a "typical" buck method of operation...that is until after the doe's slowed down and became friendly with big boys. Till then...the only food they want is a hot blooded female deer. :right: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

11-23-2003, 11:13 PM	#4
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,342	That being said I popped a spike on thursday. Cooked the tenderloins that night over a open fire. Darn if that isn't good!!! __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

11-24-2003, 05:28 AM	#5
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,903 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	:right: __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

11-24-2003, 11:35 AM	#6
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,024 Blog Entries: 4	Pumpkinheaver...where were you hunting? Venison tenderloin is hard to beat...and having cooked it over an open fire that's got to be really tasty.:cheer: :right: Now...what did you do with the rest of that corpse?:jaw: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

11-24-2003, 02:58 PM	#7
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,342	Picked the rest up today from the processer. I'm eating a burger now! Hunting just outside of Fredricktown Mo at a buddies spot. It's been slow thats why I shot a spike but he sure will eat well. __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

11-30-2003, 05:42 PM	#8
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,024 Blog Entries: 4	His eating days are over. However, your eating days are just beginning.:right: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".