While bow hunting in Missouri you have the opportunity to hunt in all different kinds of conditions.  The weather turns from hot with mosquitoes to snow and cold winds.  The woods also change from thick and green to colorful with falling leaves to bare and snowy.  Along with the weather changes, the woods changing, and the food source changes, comes the deer habit change.  Spending time in the woods and adapting to these changes is the key to a successful deer harvest all season long.
   Bow season in Missouri is from September 15th to January 15th.  I am in the woods preparing for deer season by July.  I’m trimming shooting lanes, I’m patterning the deer in their summer pattern, and I’m moving tree stands into position for the early deer season.  I hunt out of 15 foot ladder stands.  They are safe and sturdy, and they don’t bother the deer one bit.  I own nineteen ladder stands and I’m still buying more.  I have endless video of does and bucks walking right by my stand.
   In September the deer are still in their summer pattern.  This is a prime time to shoot a monster buck because he is real predictable this time of year.  If you can find a big buck in July he will still be in that same pattern come opening day.
   In October the leaves start to change and the deer habits change as well.  The fall turkey hunters hit the woods and the deer go into their pre rut activities.  Using both of these to your advantage will bag you a giant buck in October.
   In November the rut is on!  The first week of November which is right before rifle season, is what I wait all year for.  All of the big bucks are roaming without caution. You will see bucks that you’ve never seen before chasing does around without noticing you waiting in your tree stand for him to walk by.
   In December the deer are trying to recover from the stress of the rut and the November rifle season.  By the end of December the deer have grouped back up.  If you can find their food source there is a good chance you will find a big buck preparing for the hard winter to come.
   In January I finally get to use my snowflage.  The does are all running together in big groups and when you see one buck there will be several with him.  This is the time of year I like to fill my doe tags although my biggest archery buck came on January 15th (the last day of the season), so don’t give up on the opportunities of January. Come and bow hunt Missouri any time of the season and you won’t be disappointed.  Hunt safe!  Hunt often!  Respect Nature!

Iron Duck Hunting offers $100.00 discounts on 3-day hunts and $150.00 discount on 5-day hunts for all hunters 16 years old and under.