When would you hunt (Missouri)?

[Scioto]

I usually try and hunt my brother-in-law's farm in NW Missouri on their rifle opener (begins 11/16 this year). Because of family commitments, I won't be able to do that this year. Not too upset about it, as I can really focus on TN this November, which will be my second. Now I'm thinking of either hunting the Missouri antlerless-only season (sometime the week of 12/2) or their muzzleloader season ("alternative arms," including spears) sometime between Christmas and New Year's Eve. I'm getting very enamored of a cold, snowy late season hunt over the early December antlerless-only. I prefer a muzzleloader over a spear. What would you do if you could hunt only one of those times? Also, if the late season hunt, where would you focus your efforts? I'm thinking it would be best to ignore the edges of pasture and cropland in favor of (1) 150 acres of hardwood timber that also surrounds a 57 acre tract of CRP NWSG (hunt 20-30 yards inside that timber from the CRP) and (2) another 20 acres or so of CRP consisting of the thickest, thorniest, nastiest stuff you could imagine, but no good climber stand trees.

 

[hitek7]

If i was going to miss the rut I would def go as late as possible. I would concentrate on ag fields with left over beans/corn or winter wheat. It will be even better if there is snow. Spend the first afternoon glassing the fields to see which ones they are using and how they are entering. The deer will be grouped up if the winter is cold enough.

 

[Scioto]

Thanks. After I posted and thought some more, I'm also thinking the fields are an important left over food source. Those deer will have been hit hard after the two week November rifle season followed by the two week antler less season (lots of deer drives to kill lots of does). There is then a two week break and then that late muzzleloader 10 day season. I sort of like how Missouri schedules their gun seasons.

 

[Lawrence]

I'm headed out for the gun opener and can't wait
Late mloader can be awesome

 

[MObowman]

Just moved from the mighty mo and would say either dates would be fine but I normally have better luck (weather depending) in earlier December versus late December. There is some late yearlings hitting estrus that keep some movement going on outside of feeding.