Missouri Hunters Journal

Frog gigging season has arrived!!!

Missouri_Hunter — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:49:47 +0000

FROG GIGGING, what in the world is that?

GROSS, you do what with frogs?

Do they really taste like chicken?

Those of you that have ever talked about your frog gigging experience know what those questions are all about. That is what I hear every time I start telling gigging stories. Don’t get me wrong, I love hearing those questions as they open the door to introducing someone else to something that I love. Please submit your questions in the comments and I will do my best to answer them.

This years opening night was a blast. There was one particular moment that made it a huge success and we will get to that. We were only out a few hours from 9:00pm until 12:00pm so it wasn’t a long night but still a ton of fun with a little success also. My gigging partners were Andrew and my Dad. Andrew I have written about before as I have taken him out deer hunting a few times. I don’t think I have mentioned my Dad much on here but, I always love to spend time with him.

We set out just after dark. The temperatures were in the mid 90′s and the humidity was sky high. Bugs were buzzing and remarkably monster bull frogs weren’t making a noise. We hit a large 30 acre lake first and quickly decided that we needed to leave. There were barely any frogs at all to be found. I am contributing this lakes lack of frogs to the high number of racoons and other predator animals. So we left and headed to the lake where the magic happend.

The next and last place that we headed too has been the honey hole in the past and we gave it a break last year. I expected us all to limit out on this small 1/3 acre pond. We only found 5 bull frogs that met my size standards and we missed one of those. We only came out with 4 big bull frogs and a ton of scratches from sticker bushes.

So what made the night such a success? Where is that magic that was mentioned? It all had to do with Andrew as this was his first time out gigging frogs. I gigged the first frog to show him how it is done and then passed the gig off to him. We went about 20 feet further and there was a monster frog. He got excited, but at the same time realized that he couldn’t get to the frog. Being a smart and ethical hunter he quickly passed the gig back to me and asked me to take it. He didn’t want to miss the frog or more importantly wound it. I gigged the frog and then we moved about 20 more feet down the shore to another big frog. This one is in a great spot, sitting on solid ground, and facing the water. Andrew slowly approached, creeping through the leaves and sticks as quietly as possible, and then wham that frog hit the water and was gone. “No worries there are more”, I told him.

Then just a little ways down the shore, again there is another big bull frog. This time we are on the dam and in the grass. Andrew started his silent approach and got within a few feet of the frog. He placed the gig over the frog and about 6″ away. Then it happened, he struck with all of his might and started giggling like a little school girl. Now I am in no way making fun of him. You all know that feeling when you have done something that you think is ridiculously awesome and you just smile or start to giggle. Well this was his moment. He pried him out of the mud, pulled him from the gig, and carefully placed him in the bag.

Now his is what I live for. This young mans night was made and he is hooked for life. The next day at church he was telling everyone about it and can’t wait to go again. I would like to encourage all of you hunters/outdoorsmen out there to find a local youth or a youth of your own and invest some time in them. The worst that can happen is that you have a good time. haha.

With all of that said enjoy your Frog Gigging season and send in those stories as we would love to hear them.

Back-2-Back 2012 part2

Midwest_Archer — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:08:46 +0000

With one tag filled and the final day of the cool snap, I was in position early to kill my second bird. This time I was waiting on the opposite siOde of his perch, daring him to speak up. Daylight came, nothing. I could hear a faint gobble in a distance. Knowing I was close to the bird I wanted I had a decision to make. After hearing the echo of the gobble a few times I told myself “gobble one more time and see what it gets you”. Then he did. Now where I live there no such a thing as flat ground. After hearing the first gobble, I had to cross a giant ozark razorback ridge. Upon reaching the top of what felt like a mountain, you can imagine my thought when I realized he was one more hill over. As the run and gun tactics have proven in past years, I knew I had to get there quick. Turkeys are a finicky creature, kind of like women, you have to catch them in a good mood to get them to cooperate. After I arrived on the right hillside, I sat down to catch my breath and listen to get his position. While waiting a friend of mine that couldn’t make it down to hunt text me, I told him my current situation and I tried not to rub it in to him, but I made it clear it would be a good morning to be here.

Our conversation was cut short by a gobble about 150 yards away. I quickly ran up an old logging road and stuck the beat up hen of mine in the ground. I sat back against a tree and called. I used some light caulking followed by one fairly bold series. Then shut up. Once again as pressured birds do, he lock jawed. I had the gut feeling this gobbler was gonna follow this logging road and split off behind me. I made the aggressive decision to get on my knees and turn to my right. Being right handed I knew I could swing left, but if he came up behind me I would be in trouble. Just a few moments after making the transition I could hear the leaves crunching behind a pile of logs. Somehow, maybe by miracle, I made the right decision to turn. I seen him walking behind a top that had been cut out of a tree. I took aim in an opening dead center in the fork of it. As picture perfect as it gets, he stepped into the opening and noticed me 40 yards away putting a bees on him. He didn’t notice long. After I shot and ran over, all I could think was how lucky I had gotten.

He was a decent gobbler, nothing to write home about, but plenty good enough to fill this hunters last tag. While standing there gathering my thoughts I realized I just killed turkeys back to back, during a season when breeding was all but over and gobbling had dwindled down next to nothing. I knew the cool snap helped more than anything. I went into the week telling myself not to call if I wasn’t 100% sure I was in tight enough. There’s a fine line from getting their curiosity and getting them alerted. My gut feelings made this season what it was.

Knowing the bird I wanted was there, then hearing this one fired up. I had eaten plenty of past turkey tags and I wasn’t going to pass up a hammering gobbler to chance one not saying a word and roosting within sight of his hens. Taking the chance and changing the direction I was set up in at the last moment possible proved to pay off as well.

Some of the things I changed

came from many spoiled past hunts. But the biggest factor in play was luck. I’m never to proud to let luck take the credit. Being in the right place at the right time and the choices made just happening to work out filled these tags and I’m truly grateful. Never forget you’ll get as much out of your hunt as you want to put into it.

Back-2-Back 2012 part 1

Midwest_Archer — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:46:52 +0000

With turkey season coming to a halt and bow season within sight I thought I’d take a moment to share my hunts form April.

With my work schedule consisting of me being away from home over a week at a time, I was only gonna end up with 6 days to hunt. Warmer than usual temperatures early in the year had kicked the “avian love” into overdrive early.

The last couple of weeks in March, I spent most mornings listening to more gobbles than I could count. One morning, as I watched the dawn break ,I heard a bird directly across from me professing his love to any hen within ear shot. Problem was, the old gobbler on the other end of the ridge had already claimed this group of gals and wasn’t about to let some young smooth talking jake slip in while he was around. I crouched down next to a white oak and listened to these birds bad mouth each other as they both headed to meet up and settle the issue. To my surprise, they met in a clear cut, on the high inside directly across from me. I watched in amazement as the fight ensued, bouncing off branches, the sound of wings slapping and spurs digging in. I knew exactly where I needed to be for my first hunt. I wanted these birds.

Now, let me say first off, turkey season is my outlet. I take bow season, smallmouth tournaments, and trapping way too serious. Turkey season is about fun to me. I get more enjoyment taking a friend along than anything. My first morning in from work, once season came in, I was setting in position where I could slip in on these two rivals. I listened many mornings and they had hung around the same area most mornings. We had a 2 day cool spell and I knew even though it was late into the breeding season the weather might help them to speak up. The first gobble came early, and close. There was no way to get directly to him so I took off in an attempt to circle around his roost. After climbing the mountain he was on, I set up tight, and waited a few before letting a few soft purrs loose. Instantly, it got his reaction. It also got the hens reaction just below him. He flew down opposite of where I was set up and I knew I had my work cut out for me. My plan was to stay back and follow along and maybe he would get a little distance from his group of gal pals. Then, I heard his young counter part. The next ridge over keeping his distance as normal, speaking his mind about the situation. The trek commenced. Down the hill and up another cliff I climbed. Once I reached the top of it, I listened a few min when I heard him. I was close, very close. Slipping just down to the break of the hill I set up my decoy and found a tree. I called twice softly, waited a minute, and let one more light series out before tight lipping. I waited 10 minutes or so, and no gobble. The place I was hunting I knew had been pressured so I had anticipated this. Then I heard the slightest crack of a twig. Looking to my right I seen the jake, puffed up eyeing the decoy. The bird never said a word as he approached the worn out foam hen that so many before him had fallen for. A quick flick of the safety, and a squeeze of the trigger, I filled my first tag.

But, was it a double bearded 1 3/4 hook toting 30 pounder? No. It was one I said I wanted though.

Sometimes we get so caught up in having to kill “the big one” and we lose sight of one of huntings greatest gifts. The payoff you get from challenging yourself. I climbed hills, sweated through my camo in 36 degree weather, got spoiled by hens, and still managed to kill one of the two birds I called out a couple weeks before. I will take that on any hunt. Always remember, don’t let anyone take anything away from your hunting experiences. If it puts a smile on your face and puts the shakes in your knees, you’re doing it right. Hunt the way that makes you happy. Check back for part 2 of my spring turkey season. Thanks for reading.

The new guy

Midwest_Archer — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:17:36 +0000

If you’re a regular to this website then you probably noticed I am new.

Let me start by saying, I am exremely grateful for the opportunity to get the chance to share some of my hunting stories and some of what I have learned in the woods. I have lived in the same small town in southern Missouri all my life. I live for the outdoors as I’m sure most of you reading this do.

Hunting, trapping, and fishing are all three of my favorite hobbies, but my number one hobby would have to be whitetail hunting and especially whitetail hunting with a bow.

Growing up, life was all about sports and hunting. In my late teens to early twentys while most of my friends were out cruising town, you could find me hanging out at the ” fur shed” listening to all my dads buddies swap stories of the outdoors.

I’ve been fortunate enough to learn about wildlife from a couple of the best locals in my area. I am a firm believer that the deadliest weapon you can take to the woods is open ears and an open mind. Noone should ever tell anyone how to hunt, but there is a lot that can be learned from other hunters opinions and experiences. We have all had hunting lessons that had to be learned the hard way, that could of possibly been done an easier or better way.

Being able to share those experiences is one of the greatest things about living as an outdoorsman. I am 29 and have been in the woods over 20 years of my life and I am still learning every trip out. I hope you will enjoy my future posts, and if nothing else, find them entertaining.

Always remember, in the world of hunting, opinions are just opinions. Hunt the way you enjoy it the most.

Best of luck on all you outdoor adventure.

CRKT knife Give-Away at 500 Twitter Follows – Who Won?

Missouri_Hunter — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:57:40 +0000

Well everyone, I am sorry this is coming a bit late, but I have been disconnected from the blogging world for a few weeks working on a new career. I have now compiled the list of entries, assigned a number to each one, and used a random number generator to select the winner.

Are you ready to see who it is?

#435 Jeff Carver @jlkc08

He will be notified shortly. I am hoping that he will submit some pictures of him using his knew skinner this year after his hunts.

Stay tuned and I will announce soon what the next giveaway will be.

Evening coyote and bobcat hunt

showmeyote — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:09:31 +0000

Recently, I have been hunting some property for a friend of mine that is rich with turkey and deer. He offered me a place to hunt predators and the chance to rid some of the critters eating his game. He had told me of trail camera pictures of bobcats and tales of coyotes yipping in the evenings around the farm. After some studying of some google maps I was ready to go.

I figured I would start at the south side of the property for two reasons. For one, the west wind was just perfect. Second, the lay of the property has some long open pastures with plots of briers, which is just my cup of tea for predators. I made a couple stands when I could but with whitetail deer muzzle loader season was right around the corner and then the second part of Missouri’s youth season was a couple weeks later. So while I had the chance between the two one evening I thought I would make a long stand one evening.

I was settled in a nice spot over looking the long pasture. Weather was nice, and not real cold. I figured since it was earlier I would call very soft for awhile and then closer to dark I would turn it up. I started out with the foxpro, out front and up wind, about 50 yards. Also, I had out one of my mojo decoys. Started with a screaming rabbit, very low volume, and would switch it with a cottontail distress. I like using the screaming rabbit, for the really high pitch sound. Kind of off my normal routine of using bird sounds.

Just a few seconds into the call, there was the ole chicken hawk coming in for a look. Well, he got way closer then I wanted him to, I was worried he was going to get my decoy. I have had that happen in the past. After the fly by, I let the call run for about 5 minutes let it rest a minute and switch the call. It had been about 15 minutes into the call, when I turned to look hard left. There was a cat sneaking threw the sage grass. She was no more then about 25 yards from me, and had no clue I was anywhere around. She was locked in on the decoy, sneaking very quietly threw the grass. I really enjoy watching a coyote come to a call, but I love watching a cat sneak in to the call. They are so quite, rarely making any noise.

Watching her sneak in, I decide I would use my shotgun at that short range. One shot was all I needed, she never even kicked. I stayed on stand the rest of the evening. Called for coyotes with no success. When dark came, I wasted no time going to look for my cat. Boy was she a nice one too.

It was great evening and I was very blessed to be able to hunt this property. Definitely one of the nicest bobcats I have ever had the chance to take. I owe a huge thank you to my friend Russell for allowing me the opportunity to hunt this farm.

For the record, the top picture is my son Braedin, he is 4′-9” you can get a idea how nice this cat really was.

Awesome Knives – Acuta Knives

Missouri_Hunter — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:30:29 +0000

A529-S-Cherry Stainless Steel Skinner

If you are like me then you absolutely love a beautiful knife. There is something about a well balanced and well designed knife that makes me want to use it for everything. Even if a knife works perfectly for what it is intended, if it isn’t nice to look at I don’t want it. I know looks aren’t everything, but sometimes they just have to be there.

Well I lucked out and found a company that makes great, functional, and well designed knives. Not only are their knives top notch but the owner was a pleasure to deal with and a very generous man.

Pictured above is a gorgeous skinner labeled as the A529-S-Cherry that I can’t get enough of. Pictures just can’t catch the beauty of this knife. The cherry handle is absolutely stunning and bursting with color. I have found that it holds an edge very well and only to be beat by very high dollar knives. Skinning with this knife is a breeze. It is so well balanced, blade length is about perfect, and the finger cutout allows for plenty of grip. At $70.00 you can’t get a better knife if you ask me. This knife is by far my favorite one of their knives that I have gotten my hands on.

A904-D-Bone Damascus Skinner

This next knife is also a great skinner labeled as A904-D-Bone. The look of the damascus steel is awesome. Who doesn’t like a quality damascus steel knife especially when it comes at such a great price. This blade also stays exceptionally sharp even after multiple animals skinned. Just like the other skinner it is very well balanced, fits the hand well, plenty of grip with the finger hole, and has a great design. This knife is a little bit more pricey but at $120.00 it is hard to beat for a quality damascus steel knife.

In a couple of later post I would like to introduce you to the owner and also some other designs that they offer. Keep your eyes out for more on Acuta Knives.

I missed!

showmeyote — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:56:26 +0000

Yup, it happens to everyone. You think you have the hunt in the bag, and to your surprise! YOU MISS. Holy smokes! How in the world did I do that? Well to be honest, it just happens. Weather your a seasoned hunter, a new hunter, or a professional shooter.

You can have 100 trips into the field with great success on every stand, but at some point you will miss. I beat myself up every time it happens. I play the situation over and over in my head and think what I could have done different. It some cases yes, there could be a solution to a problem. Running shots don’t count on coyotes. These guys can turn the afterburners on and make some of the best predator hunters in the country look like a first timer. I am talking about blatantly missing at say 50 yards! Yes, I have done this.

One solution to the problem for me have been the use of a shotgun. Face it, we all like seeing that coyote of bobcat come in close to the call! But these up and close personal shots need to be from a shotgun rather then a rifle with a scope! Well, at least in my world it does. Its very difficult to take a scope made for shooting distances 100 yards and well beyond, to be effective at 50 yards and under. It can be done, but I feel your percentage of kills at close range will be greater.

I carry a 12 gauge shotgun with a full choke. There is a wide range of ammo that can be used for shooting predators. They have specialty ammo that is just for coyotes, but I like to use either turkey loads or buckshot. On the turkey loads I like using the #4 shot, 3” works great and I do like using 3 1/2”. On the buckshot, I have tried the 00 buck, but your very limited on pellets. I like using #4 buck, you can get 3 and 3 1/2” shells, some with as much as 40 pellets. I know hunters that like using other loads as well. I recommend that you pattern and practice with your ammo before going into the field.

Missing long range is mind over matter. One needs to stay calm and make the shot. Shot placement is key. Even though they are coyotes, bobcats and foxes, they deserve a ethical shot too.

Morning Double..

showmeyote — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:33:00 +0000

North wind at 5 mph. I start the pickup, check my gear, and head out. It was a nice morning next to the Piney River, here in South Central Missouri.

The night before I study my google earth and make sure the wind is just right for the planned hunt. I show up at my location, step away from the pickup, make sure the wind is in my favor, Load my pack, and off I go.

I setup on a hill top over looking a nice pasture that is grown with briers and buck brush. I set my FoxPro and decoy out about 20 yards in front of me. I thought I would start this stand with a mouth call, and picked my howler from my pack. I was not expecting what was going to happen next. I started with one lonely howl, and was going to wait a few minutes before doing another. I never had the chance. About 30 seconds after that first howl, a coyote answered with barks! This has happened to me before, but this time was different. The coyote was 300 yards in front of me and well out of my scent cone. I was in shock for a moment, thinking to myself, how in the world is he throwing a warning bark at me. You see, when this has happened before the coyote was down wind of me, sounding the warning. not about to make another move closer towards the caller.

Quickly I reached for the remote for the FoxPro, dialed to the puppy distress and in seconds, I see movement far right. This worked out perfectly if I can pull a kill off. I slowly reach for the rifle, and start to turn. Coyotes are running everywhere it seemed. A quick count and there are three. The first 2 coyotes bolt past a high spot and the third I stop with a bark. It was a facing shot, and as soon as I took it, a second coyote bolted between me and the coyote I first shot. I reload, the coyote is hauling the mail across this pasture. I bark a few times as I am moving my shooting sticks, but he isn’t stopping. I take the running shot and tumble him end over end. Yes, lucky shot, but I will definitely take one.

Here is what really gets strange. I go out to retrieve my coyotes, and before I make it back to my location where I was sitting. The third coyote starts barking! Right in the same location where it first took place. I quickly get back to the calls. This coyote I am sure is trying to figure out where his buddies are. They coyote barked and yipped for 30 minutes! I finally gave up trying to call him back in. he was still barking and yipping when I made it to my pickup.

Needless to say it was a great morning of calling for me and one I soon (if ever) will not forget. I have yet to make it back to this location, but I soon will be. Maybe my ole buddy will be waiting for me when I make it back…

Missouri Deer Hunt – Rifle Opener – Part 3 – The Finale

Missouri_Hunter — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:49:00 +0000

What where did the monster buck go from the first two post?

Well I will tell you the story on him a little later in this post, but this is the buck that I took this year. Like I have mentioned a few times in other post, I am not a trophy hunter and never will be. I am a food hunter first and if it happens to be a trophy then so be it. I do like to leave younger bucks to grow larger, but with the other bucks that I saw on the property this year I was confident taking this smaller young buck wasn’t an issue as the others have years left to reproduce.

So what is the story on taking this buck?

I left off in the part 2 portion of this post having just missed a chance at a very nice large mature deer, that would definitely trump any other buck that I have shot. He has just walked off into the thick brush on the other side of the lake and yet again I am left bummed and kind of mad at what just happened. Here again I am lucky at just being able to see this buck in the wild though.

So I get up and continue on towards my destination. I am heading for my stand (noted by the red dot on the picture above) which, I consider this to be the honey hole of the property. There are heavily used trails, rubs, a scrape, a thick cedar bedding area to the west, and it is the funnel point where the deer decide to go East or West around the lake. Each year my scouting leads me to this point. I am confident that even without scouting the property I could sit in the same spot and take a deer.

I am moving very slowly but really, and I mean really, paying attention to details now. Looking for antlers tips sticking up out of grass and checking out every sound made. A few minutes later, seemed like an hour, I reach my stand. There are two options for me here: Sit in the stand or just to the south about 20 yards there is a nice spot under a cedar if I want to sit no the ground.

Before I can make a decision here comes this young doe and a buck running out of that this cedar bedding area to the west of my stand. The buck has his head down and is following hot on the does trail. Raise the gun to my shoulder, I grunt once and Nothing. I grunt again and Nothing. Here goes yet another chance at meet in my freezer. HEY!!!! I yell and both deer stop dead in their tracks.

Dang, the doe stops behind a big bush, but that buck had stopped in the wide open. I swing the gun over to him, Find the kill zone, and BOOM. It is amazing how in the split second between pulling the trigger to your bullet making contact the thoughts that race through your mind. Did I hit him? Crap I missed! Crap I wounded him! Then the bullet hits it’s mark. A little forward but straight through the rear of both front shoulders. Deer never cease to amaze me, He has been fatally shot but somehow manages to fun 30 yards through into the thickets thorn bush I have ever seen. The doe follows him in, gets tangled up, thrashes around, and then comes shooting back out and nearly plows me over.

These thorn bushes are taller than me and I can’t even see the buck inside. I have to go in and get him though. I will not waste the meet and disrespect the animal that I have just taken. So I chop down a small tree about 1″ in diameter and use about a 3′ section of the trunk to hack my way into this thicket.

There he is in the middle of that thicket. It took me about 30 minutes to get to the buck and about another 15 minutes to get him to a spot to field dress him. I called Andrew’s (the boy I took youth hunting) father and they hurried out to help me drag him to the truck. It worked out well since they live just a few miles from here. The excitement on his face was even better than the hunt itself for me. That was the first buck he had helped drag in. Hopefully soon he will be helping to drag in his first deer.

So who took the deer that in this picture? I know this was a rotten trick but I also wanted to show you guys this buck. He was taken by my Father-In-Laws Nephew Jake. This is his first buck and talk about being ruined for life. He will always be trying to compete with this bad boy. What a trophy and amazing buck. There are actually 2 more points hidden on the back side of the brow tines.

Merry Christmas, God Bless, and Happy Birthday Jesus.