Hunting in Taney County
Hunting is very popular with the people of Taney County. With abundant forests and farmland, hunting is very good in this portion of Missouri. The most popular hunting seasons are for white-tailed deer and for turkeys.
The best times for deer hunting are generally at first light, and just before sundown. Deer are generally more active at these times of day. The most effective technique for beginning hunters is generally hunting from an elevated tree stand. This is done to try and avoid the extremely keen sense of smell that deer rely heavily upon for protection. More experienced hunters are sometimes effective using stalking methods.
There are a variety of deer seasons during the year. In 1998, firearm season was open from November 13 to November 23. Muzzleloading season was open from December 4 to the 12. Archery season for deer was open from October 1 to November 12, and from November 24 to January 15.
Turkeys are hunted in a different manner. The most important factor in turkey hunting is avoiding the turkey's keen sense of sight. This makes camouflage one of the most important accessories for turkey hunting. Turkeys are often hunted by imitating the calls of female turkeys in an attempt to attract male turkeys.
Archery season for turkeys was open at the same time as archery season for deer. Another season for turkeys occurs during the spring. From April 19 to May 9, turkeys can be taken from daylight until 1 p.m.
Rabbits and quail are often hunted using dogs. The hunters follow the dogs through brushy areas or overgrown places in fields, and the dogs locate the animals for the hunters. Quail season was open from November 11 to January 15. Rabbits could be taken from October 1 to February 15.
Besides seasons for rabbits and quail, hunting seasons also exist for small game like squirrels, and game birds such as dove, ducks, and geese.
Photograph of boy and deer taken by Aaron Dalton
Photograph of boy and turkey courtesy of Aaron Dalton
Photograph of turkey taken by Larry Dablemont, courtesy of Gaye Lisby, Branson Living Magazine
