Horseback Riding

                All the cowboys and cowgirls out there know it has been perfect weather to go riding outside. So you should be putting on your boots and grabbing your cowboy hat to go ride your horse.  I have been riding on the weekends and only a little during the week because of my classes.  I went riding today and saw some wildlife including deer, turkey, squirrels burying nuts, and a lot of insects. Thankfully, the mesquites have died down some since the cooler weather is here.

                If you haven’t been riding that often your horse might try to test you and see if you will still make him mind. Today when I was riding my gelding, Hank, he tried to test my commands. That is because I haven’t been ridding him every day like I was throughout the summer. After I had a little discussion with him he did well the rest of the night. He also did well with the lasso training I did with him today but he still needs a lot more work. That will come in time and eventually I will be able to rope off of him. I hope all the cowboys and cowgirls out there are being safe and really enjoying this fall weather.

It's Fishing Weather in Northwest Missouri

                This is an awesome time to be outdoors in Northwest Missouri because the weather is really beautiful. It is 76 degrees outside at 3:00 p.m. This means you have time to get some fishing in. The Northwest Bass Club is going to Colden Pond tonight to see if they can catch some fish. Also they’re going to work on some fishing techniques and everybody is welcome. Those techniques will help you whether you are fishing for fun or in a competition. The special for tonight is about top water bass fishing.

                If you have time tomorrow maybe you could go fishing somewhere. The water is cooling off and the fish will start to migrate down. If you go in the morning to fish or the late afternoon you should probably fish at least five feet deep. In the early afternoon you might be able to use some of the top water lures. Good luck to all of the anglers out there.

A few weeks into Bow Season

I hope all of the bow hunters are having some good luck out in the fields. I personally haven’t been out bow hunting yet. I hope I can climb up in my deer stand here soon to see what deer have been lurking around. One of my buddies has been out and he told me that he hasn’t seen anything out yet. What worries me is that he had tons of pictures of good bucks before bow season started.  I figure that it is just the moon phase that has the deer off of their normal patterns. This moon phase will pass here soon so the deer will be moving at a normal time and the cooler weather will also have them up moving around.

Update on fall turkey season

Here is an update on fall turkey season. It will be here in only nine days and that means you need to get things around. One thing you might want to think about is where you would like to hunt. Once you figure out how the turkeys are moving you might consider using a ground blind. If you use a ground blind you need to go put it up so the turkeys will get used to it before season starts. Do not forget to make sure that your blind is really camouflaged. You also need to make sure that your calls and slates are working and your decoys are in good shape.

Fall Turkey Season

Fall turkey season is almost here. I hope all of the fall turkey hunters out there have their tags bought, shot gun shells reloaded, and their shotgun cleaned. Opening day is October 1, 2010 and it will be here soon. Season is open until October 31^st and you can harvest two turkeys. In Missouri it is legal to shoot both toms and hens. Also you can hunt all day in the fall turkey season. Don’t forget to wear hunter orange while walking to and from your hunting location. Here are a few videos to get the fall turkey hunters all fired up.

  

Weekend Fishing

This weekend looks like it will be a nice weekend to go fishing. Last weekend my buddy and I went out bass fishing and caught several bass as well as some bluegill and carp. Anyone who plans on fishing in lakes should also get out there because you will not have many nice weekends left. Before you know it the water will be getting cold and starting to freeze. Check out the picture of someone hooking a monster bass below. Good luck to all of the fishermen and women going out this weekend.

Why I am interested in Northwest Missouri Outdoors

My blog is about Northwest Missouri outdoors. I live in the northwest part of Missouri so I know it like the back of my hand. When I’m not studying for classes I can be found outside doing something. Mainly I will be hunting, fishing, camping, or riding horses. When you are in the outdoors you can let your mind wander and it is hard telling where it might lead you. Plus when I’m in the outdoors I can look at everything that God has created and enjoy the wonderful scenery. The outdoors provide you with a lot of activities. Northwest Missouri is special because its varied terrain supports several species of wildlife. I enjoy hunting the abundant deer, turkey, and other small game. I also enjoy the excellent fishing at lakes and farm ponds.

Dove Season

Dove season started the first day of September and will end November 9, 2010. I hope all of the dove hunters out there are having awesome luck in the field. I haven’t made it out to the field yet to shoot some doves this year but I’m hoping I will have a little break from studying to do some dove hunting. Last year I went dove hunting and I filled my limit.
The best place I found to hunt doves is over a silage field. When you use this location for hunting you will have to watch the doves fly into the field. This will help you to know how to position yourself to shoot the doves. When you position yourself make sure that you are camouflaged as much as possible. The best way I found out is to sit up in the standing corn stalks. If the farmer has used the whole field for silage you will have to use timber to camouflage yourself really well for the doves will not see you. Once you fill your limit it’s time to prepare them to eat and I hear that smoked dove is delicious. Here is a recipe to try out:

 6 dove breasts
 Apple juice
 Hickory smoke
 Onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste
 BBQ sauce
 1 large sliced onion
 bacon
First place the breast in an 8x10 baking pan. Next pour the juice in the baking pan just enough to cover the bottom. Do not forget to add few drops of hickory smoke. Now mix your dry ingredients in a bowl and rub the mix over the dove breasts. Place the dove breasts in the pan. Pour ¼ Cup bbq sauce on the breasts. Then lay onion and bacon on top of the breasts. Place the pan in the smoker on the grill and cook until meat easily pulls from the bones.

Hopefully I will get the chance to bag some doves and try out that recipe. Good luck to all dove hunters out there. Please come by later this week for more updates on things to do outdoors in Northwest Missouri.