If deer hunting, read the regulations and keep safety first

Many hunters have been pursuing deer with their bows or crossbows for a good while now. Bow season for deer opened Sept. 15, and many have taken their deer, while others still are looking and hunting.

In a little over a week, deer hunting will begin in earnest as firearms deer season officially begins and runs from Nov. 14 to Nov. 24. Hunting hours run from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. Any centerfire rifle and a whole host of other guns may be used during rifle deer season. Be sure to check the regulations.

Alternative methods deer hunting runs from Dec. 19 through Dec. 29, with the hunting times being from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. The methods include black powder along with several other means.

There are many regulations and requirements this year, so you need to do some checking. Some new areas have been included in the point-restriction area. To take a buck in these areas, there have to be at least four points on one side, and this can include the brow tine and three other points. All points have to be at least one inch long to count, and this includes broken points. Read the regulations, which can be found at the Missouri Department of Conservation's website, mdc.mo.gov. There are something like 45 counties included in this four-point restricted area.

You have to wear hunter orange if you are hunting deer, even if you are assisting or going with a hunter. To be legal, you must wear both a hunter-orange hat and a hunter-orange shirt, vest or coat. These have to be visible from all sides. You can't wear a hunter-orange shirt and then cover it with a camo coat and be legal. The hunter orange has to be visible. Camo orange is not legal.

It is wise to wear hunter orange if you are going to spend time in the woods, whether it be cutting firewood or walking or whatever. If you can put off your woods walking for a couple weeks, I'd do that.

The way I read the regulations, every hunter who has any deer permit may take either a buck or doe during deer season. But the way I read this, that is the limit in our area. Some counties that are north of us and west may take up to two deer, one of which can be a buck if it has the necessary points.

If you are a landowner who has at least five acres in one piece, you are eligible for free deer-hunting licenses for you and your immediate family, with the limit being one per individual.

Those with at least 75 acres were eligible for an extra doe tag last year. It appears it is the same this year. Check the regulations or call the conservation office and make sure.

If you have put out deer feeders or scattered feed on the ground, this feed has to be removed entirely at least 10 days before you hunt over this area. It seems in the past there was a distance limit from the place you hunt to the bait, but I can't seem to find it this year. It is safer to remove the bait than get a ticket in regard to hunting over bait. Salt or mineral blocks don't count; however, if there is grain or feed in the mineral, they have to be removed. They count as bait.

Be extra careful. If you use a tree stand, it seems as if the most dangerous time is when you step off the stand onto the ladder or when you step from the ladder onto your stand.

I have taken some good naps in my tree stand, so be extra careful while in your stand as well.

Watch out for other hunters. There are bound to be some hunters who won't be wearing hunter orange this season. Watch for them. Turn them in if you witness someone hunting without hunter orange.

To hunt on private ground, you have to have permission, and it's a good idea to get this permission in writing.

Be aware of the purple-paint law in Missouri. If the area is marked by purple paint on the trees or posts around an area, it is essentially a no trespassing/no hunting sign. Get permission.

If you find yourself looking for a spot to hunt, especially on private ground, you may be too late. Building a relationship with a landowner takes time and effort and work. Hunting on private ground is a huge privilege. Offer to plant trees as habitat. Offer to help put bales in the barn. Offer to pull thistles or cockleburs. Give it time, and don't expect immediate rewards.

If the only time the landowner sees you or hears from you is when you want something, chances are they'll tell you to get lost.

One last reminder: Read the regulations online or pick up a booklet at your local sports store. Don't rely on memory or what your friend says or even what I say. Read the regulations.

Buy your permit as soon as you can if you haven't already. Getting your permit online is a breeze.

Have a good one.

Until next time.