Nodaway County bow hunting gaining popularity
FILE PHOTO
Archery season for deer and turkey hunting is right around the corner. The first portion of the season starts Sept. 15 and lasts through Nov. 13. The second portion starts Nov. 25 and runs until Jan. 15.
The archery season for deer and turkey hunting is becoming more popular in Nodaway County, according to Missouri Conservation Agent Christine Campbell.
Campbell said that over the last 10 years, she’s seen a consistent rise in the number of archery hunters, especially among youth hunters.
She said that the probable reason for the increased popularity is new techniques, as well as the rise in popularity of archery in the media.
For avid hunters, firearm season for deer and turkey is still a few months away, but that doesn’t mean hunters have to sit around and wait until then to go hunting.
Archery seasons for deer hunting and turkey hunting both open Sept. 15 and run through Nov. 13.
After that, there is a 12-day no-hunt period until archers can head back out between Nov. 25 and Jan. 15, 2016, because of the November portion of firearm season for deer, Nov. 14 through Nov. 24.
The turkey firearms season is Oct. 1 to Oct. 31.
However, before hunters head out on Sept. 15, they need to be certain they have the proper permits.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation website, the archery permit allows hunters to harvest a total of two deer of either sex. Only one antlered deer can be taken before Nov. 14.
The permit also allows for two turkeys of either sex to be taken.
Each antlerless deer archery permit has a limit of one deer during archery deer season in open counties.
Also according to the MDC, archery antlerless deer-hunting permits can be used only in open counties. Hunters may purchase and fill any number of archery antlerless deer hunting permits during the season in all counties except for Butler, Dunklin, Iron, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Reynolds, and Scott counties.
While getting the necessary permits is crucial, Campbell also wants to remind hunters that it’s always important to practice safe hunting techniques during archery season.
“You need to be aware that it’s important to be in your color-coded camouflage for safety purposes,” Campbell said. “When you’re out in the woods, you need to make sure that other hunters can see you, especially this year. With the heavy rainfall we’ve had, there will be heavy vegetation until the leaves fall off the trees.”
Campbell said it is also essential for hunters to be aware of the proper hunting methods.
Hunters can use longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows of any draw weight. They can also use hand-held string-releasing devices, illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights.
Under special circumstances, crossbows can be used with a Hunting Method Exemption form completed and signed by a licensed physician.
Campbell said there are several devices that are prohibited during hunting season, including a bow fastened to a stock or other devices that maintain the bow in a drawn position.
Neither sighting devices that cast a beam of light on the game nor live decoys can be used, and the use of electronic calls or equipment is also prohibited.
Once hunters are certain they have everything they need, and understand the rules, Campbell said it’s time for hunters to go out and claim their harvest, but to be smart while doing so.
“You want to make sure that you have a clean shot at the deer or turkey,” Campbell said. “You don’t want to injure it, you want to make sure that your shot puts it down.”
For more information about hunting regulations, visit the MDC’s website www.mdc.mo.gov.
