Youth Deer Season is Approaching!!

Youth deer season is approaching really fast so I hope all the youth hunters are getting ready for opening day. Opening day for youth season is October 30, 2010 and November 1, 2010. You should be getting their gun sited in at 100 yards at least. The youth should be out in the timber scouting and looking to put a tree stand or a blind up. If they have some trail cameras out you might want to check them just to see what monsters are in the area.  The season is one weekend away so everyone should be getting ready. This is a really great opportunity for youth to safely get involved in the outdoors.

(http://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping)

(Youth season in Missouri)

Grants Available for Getting Kids Outdoors

People that work with students and try to take them out in nature should be applying for grants. There is money out there to help you to take kids places to learn about the outdoors. The grants will help with field trips that relate to the outdoors just like fish, wildlife, natural habitats, and forests.  All of those fields are awesome to have some knowledge in. Also there is some grant money for organizations to help older students in the outdoors. That grant money could help older students to get knowledge and skills in the outdoors that could help get them a job someday. If you are an educator or work with kids please check out these grants and help get children outdoors.

(http://mdc.mo.gov/education/grants)

Restoration of Elk in Missouri

One thing that is exciting me is the idea of restoration of elk in Missouri. It has always been a dream of mine to go elk hunting. With the Missouri Department of Conservation trying to restore elk back in the show-me-state it will cause them to open up hunting season eventually. Being a resident of Missouri it will be cheaper to buy a tag than going out of state to hunt. I would still like to go out west one day to hunt elk and the only reason I haven’t yet is because of the cost. The Missouri Department of Conservation is planning to start releasing elk in part of Carter, Shannon, and Reynolds counties. They are down by the boot hill but if this campaign continues they could release more elk all over Missouri. I never really thought I could fulfill my dream of elk hunting right here in my home state of Missouri!

http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/conservation-commission-approves-elk-restoration-plan

Youth Archery Increasing in Schools

Schools are now starting up archery which helps kids learn about a bow and arrow. Also they are learning how to handle a weapon carefully. The kids can go to competitions against other school. A lot of states have archery in the school program and there are about 7,350 schools that are teaching it in the United States. This program has about seven million kids that are active throughout the nation. This program is not just helping the school attendance but is also helping the kids with better self-esteem as well as more physical activity.  There are grants for schools to help fund the program and help with equipment and instructor costs. I hope schools take this opportunity to teach children skills that can be used in the outdoors.

(http://mdc.mo.gov/education/inside-classroom/missouri-national-archery-schools-program)

Fishin'

The weather has been nice around this part of the area which has probably given all the fishermen one last time to get their line wet. Here is my story from my fishing trip to Canada a few years ago to inspire you to go out and try to hook a big one. When I was in Canada I caught a 35 inch northern pike. I was relaxing in the boat and looking around at the trees surrounding the lake. Then I felt something on my line and the relaxation was over. I could tell she was big because the pole was bending almost in half. I kept my drag really loose and it took me over fifteen minutes to get the fish in the boat. I was so afraid that I would mess up and lose the fish. Finally, it gave up and I got it onto the boat. I hope you can have a fishing experience as great as mine!

Here is a picture of a Northern Pike.

Turkey Hunting

All of the fall turkey hunters should be filling their tags. I have seen a bunch of turkeys in freshly harvested corn fields and a few crossing the road. Last night a saw a group of hens with their mostly grown chicks. If you are looking for a place to hunt defiantly consider trying a newly harvested corn field. They are out in the cut field picking up grain and also hunting for insects.  Sometimes you can also find turkeys eating straight out of a creep feeder. With the numbers of turkeys I have been seeing I think the turkey hunters should be finding success.

Bow Hunting

I hope all the bow hunters out there are shooting some nice deer. Up here in Northwest Missouri the weather is still warm throughout the day and part of the evening. This is causing the deer to move late at nights and in the early morning. This isn’t so good for the hunters since the deer are probably bedded down when you are hunting. There is hope though because the farmers are harvesting a lot of crops. That is pushing all the deer to the wooded areas to find protection. With the corn out the deer have a lot harder time hiding and a bigger chance of being seen by their predators including hunters. If it cools down soon the deer will start moving more to keep their body heat up and the bow hunters will have better luck.

Reason for Cowboys and Cowgirls Outfit

Most of them would wear boots with a heel to secure their feet in the stirrups. On their boots were spurs, decorated or plain, used to motivate their horse. They would wear jeans and long sleeved shirts to protect themselves from the sun and brush. They would also wear leather gloves to protect their hands during a hard day of cattle drives or fixing fence. Over their jeans they would wear chaps to help protect them from brush. Also, they would wear bandanas over their nose and mouth to keep from breathing in the dust.   Cowboys and Cowgirls would wear trench coats to help protect them from rain and winter weather. Some of those things are still worn by rodeo competitors, trail riders, and other horseback riders today. Do you think it is interesting that they do so even though they no longer do the things that those objects helped with like working cows or riding in harsh elements? Why do you think everyone still wears the traditional cowboy garb?

Disagreement on a Quote

“For the sake of animals, there’s nothing more powerful than changing your diet." - 1998 interview with Pacelle by Erik Marcus. I think that if God didn’t want humans to eat meat he wouldn’t have put animals here on earth. People use the animal to eat and use the body parts for clothing, shelter, and tools. Why should we change our diet to make those people happy? We don’t go around and tell people not to eat plants. If you think about this argument it isn’t practical. What I mean is if every person was a vegetarian we would have to refocus all of the agricultural and food production. There are not enough plants to feed the 6.8 billion people that live on the earth today.  When you consume meat it gives you protein and other essential nutrients not found naturally in plants. That is why I think eating meat is important. “Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity” says Voltaire.”

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.