Hunters flock to camps as deer season opens

When people hear about deer camp, some conjure up the vision of "mountain men," roughing it in the woods, going after any deer they might run across. In fact, in today's deer camps across the state, you will find families, friends and neighbors enjoying the tradition of camping and nature.

Last Saturday, the November portion of firearms deer season opened, with nearly a half-million hunters ready to hit the woods in search of the big buck they had been dreaming of since the season ended last year.

A group of hunters from Joplin set up camp in Dade County, at Ruark Bluff, on Stockton Lake. Dale Bingham, Jake Cowen and his son, Cade, along with Daniel Bingham, set up camp Friday, ready to open the season the next day.

Dale Bingham, 63, recalled how much things had changed since he started deer hunting.

"The biggest change is the equipment we have today," he said. "Everything from Coleman stoves to campers have made deer camps better."

Bingham had taken a deer in each of the past two seasons, while camping at Ruark Bluff. On Saturday morning, he made it three in as many seasons, as he shot a deer shortly after the season opened.

"We like to camp any time we can and during deer season, it's always enjoyable, whether we get a deer or not," Daniel Bingham said.

Like most deer camp hunters, just being in the woods with old friends and gathering around the campfire to tell stories makes it all worthwhile.

Deer camps have become a tradition for many hunters. John Miller and his family, from Kansas City, were camping near the Joplin group, but were not hunting.

"I used to camp and hunt, but health problems have prevented me from going into the woods," the 73-year-old Miller said. "I always enjoyed the deer camps, so we started camping when the deer season opens, visit with longtime friends that I used to hunt with.

"Deer camps bring back memories for me from past hunts, the experiences that I enjoyed, including the stories around the campfire, the bond with friends and nature. The disappointments, as well as the victories, and seeing the newcomers getting their first deer."

A hunting team of brothers, from Pleasant Hope, set up camp at Crabtree Cove campgrounds, on Stockton Lake. Phillip and Jeff Maham started hunting around 30 years ago, when their father took them along on hunting trips.

Phillip had a very good hunt on Sunday.

"I got into the woods early in the morning (and) I saw a lot of deer sign," he said. "I passed up a couple of good bucks yesterday, so we went back to the same place this morning and saw several does.

"There was one, in particular, that looked like she had been running hard. It wasn't long before I saw movement and I told Jeff that there he is, about 40 yards in front.

"I shot and he took off running. Jeff asked if I had missed. I said I don't know, but then, I saw him go down."

Soon after, the brothers had a nine-point buck in their camp.

The brothers said their father had started them hunting at an early age.

"We were blessed when our dad turned us on to hunting when we were young men and taught us the importance of being together and doing things right," Phillip said.

Deer camp is a tradition, a special place in the deer woods where everyone is in a different world from daily routine.

In camp, things are done right. Everyone pitches in to make it enjoyable. Although a full moon and high winds messed up some hunting, after this season, deer camp hunters will be making plans for next November.

Opening weekend hunters fought the 50 mph wind gusts on Sunday. That, along with warm temperatures and a full moon, made the two-day totals subpar.

Hunters took 61,466 deer across the state, with Howell County turning in the highest total of 1,278 deer checked, followed by Texas with 1,275. Vernon County had 639 deer checked.

There were two non-fatal hunting related accidents, one in Dade County and another in Vernon County.