Outdoorsmen gear up for frog, foul seasons

Bob Harper, of Harrisonville, has been more than ready for sunset June 30, when frog season opens in Missouri. Harper started frogging when he was 14 and today, at 57, he is excited as ever.

"Once you have had a mess of big bullfrog legs, you are ready for more," he said.

The prospects for this season aren't as good as in past years.

"There were a lot more frogs when I first started going after them," Harper said. "That, and the ponds I usually have good luck in are full and it will be harder to get to them.

"I plan on using my canoe to slip up on them this year. In the past, I have used a fishing lure to dangle in front of the frog and let it hook itself.

"Over the years, I have used everything from gigs to slingshots, but I have found a pellet gun works the easiest and fastest way to get them. By using pointed pellets, when you hit the frog, it doesn't get away.

"I have used a .22 rifle, but the frogs often got away. Flat pellets don't work, either, but the pointed ones work fine.

"I have a friend that has access to several ponds where we have heard and seen lots of frogs this month, so that's where I will be on the weekend.

"Last year I had several good days. The ponds were lower and it was easier to see the big frogs."

Tom Martin is another frogger who is ready for the season.

"I remember years ago, when my mother was frying some frog legs and several of them jumped out of the frying pan," he said. "My dad hadn't taken out the tendons in the legs and that caused the legs to jump out of the pan.

"My mother always asked him if he had taken the tendons out before she started frying them."

When going after frogs, a fishing or hunting permit is required for anyone over the age of 16 and under 65 if using fishing methods and a hunting permit is required when using a firearm.

The season that opens at sunset June 30, runs through Oct. 31, with a daily limit of eight frogs.

"If you are lucky enough to get eight big bullfrogs, you will have some fine dining," Martin said.

Harper also is a small migratory bird hunter and now that the seasons on rail, snipe, dove and the early teal season opening day are set, he is already making plans to hunt them.

"It may be hot and two months before the first season opens, but conditions look better this year than for the past two seasons," he said. "I usually start early in the season and if water conditions are good, the hunting is usually good, also.

"There aren't too many hunters after these small birds, but they are a challenge for me and my 20-gauge Remington. I only go after the rails one time.

"Years ago, a friend told me that you usually only go rail hunting once because of the heat, bugs, weeds and knee deep water. However, when the rails are around, I get with it.

"There seemed to be more woodcock hunters last year than in the past and with a good dog, it can be rewarding."

The rail, snipe and dove seasons open on Sept. 1, and the woodcock season starts on Oct. 15. The teal season will run Sept. 7-22, with an increased daily limit of six teal, which is two more than last year. The possession limit has increased to three times the daily limit, so you could have 18 teal in your freezer this year.