Hunters prepare for deer season, new antler regulations

Special to the Herald-Tribune

In less than a month, on Nov. 15, the statewide November portion of the firearms deer season will be open and many hunters have already set up deer stands and been scouting for that trophy buck. Hunters in 65 counties, including Cedar, this fall will need to be sure the deer they have in their sights has at least four antler points on one side of its rack.

Hunters in central and northern counties that had the antler restriction last year, reported more adult bucks harvested and generally approved the restriction. It also increased the doe harvest in many counties.

When asked what they thought of the new regulation, most hunters thought it was a good move.

Rod Hendricks, a Cedar county deer hunter said, "I think it's a good move. My only concern is that there might be some unethical hunters who might shoot a illegal buck and just leave it in the field."

Other Cedar County hunters agreed, including Les Jarman who also approved the new regulation, but had concerns about deer being left in the field.

"It will make hunters make sure of their target," Jarman said.

Bob Wheeler, Chillicothe, hunted in Carroll County last fall where the four point antler restriction was in force and said, "I am glad the Conservation Department put the restriction regulation last season because it helped me get a big buck. I had a smaller buck move close to my stand, but it only had three points on each side so I passed it up. A few minutes later this 10-point buck followed the first smaller deer and came within range. Had the regulation not been in effect, I would have taken the first buck, so it helped me get a larger deer.

"At first, I wasn't too sure I would like the restriction, but after last season, I'm sold on it."

There's something about big antler racks that thrill deer hunters.

Tom Brown, Kansas City, has taken some big bucks over the years and said, "After seeing my first big buck with a rack like an elk, I have been addicted to hunting them. I have passed up many good shots at does and smaller bucks just to get a chance to get the big buck with a trophy-type rack. There are a lot of trophy bucks in Missouri and maybe the new regulation will keep them coming.

"I hope so. Its the biggest thrill in hunting just seeing a monster buck heading your way makes the hair on the back of your neck stand straight out. There's nothing as exciting in deer hunting."

Brown was scouting deer earlier this month with a neighbor who had never hunted deer before and when they spotted a buck feeding in a cut cornfield, the neighbor said, "Look at the size of those horns."

Brown looked at his friend and said, "First off, we need to get something straight. There is no such thing as a buck with horns. Cattle and sheep have horns, but deer, elk and moose have antlers."

Brown went on to say this about bucks with a big rack.

"It's amazing to see a buck with a big rack run through the woods without catching the antlers on branches or underbrush," he said. "I don't know how they do it, but they do. I have also wondered about tom turkeys when they fly through heave woods without hitting something, its really amazing."

Hunters like Brown will be after that big buck next month and hope to find one that will be entered in the record book. As Brown said, "There are plenty of bucks with big racks roaming around the state and I hope to be in the right spot when that 12-pointer I have been scouting comes walking by my stand."

The 450,000 other Missouri deer hunters are likely thinking the same thing.