Question:
I live in St. Louis, and I moved here a few years ago. I now have some
more time in the fall, but, being in the city, I do not know where I
could go in the country to hunt small game- rabbits, grouse, turkey,
and large game- deer. I originated from Minnesota along the border, so
hunting up there was a snap. What places would you recommend near St.
Louis where I could go out a bag a few?
Answer:
What do you mean by 'near'? Within 2 or three hours to the south there is
the Mark Twain national forest, with many hunting opportunities. Near
town, at Busch Conservation Area in Weldon Spring, there are some small
game opportunities and special managed hunts for deer. Missouri is
arguably the finest turkey hunting state in the nation.
I recommend you do 3 things:
1) Call the Missouri Department of Conservation in St. Louis (314/301-1500)
during business hours, or better yet visit them at the "Powder Valley
Nature Center" in Kirkwood. You are looking for a publication called
"Missouri's Conservation Atlas" which is a large spiral-bound book that
contains details of public hunting opportunities accross the state.
2) Subscribe to "Outdoor Guide Magazine" which is published in St. Louis,
and covers hunting and fishing in Missouri and Illinois. You can try a
free copy by calling (800) 706-2444. For more details see
http://www.outdoorguidemagazine.com/.
3) Come to the Outdoor Guide Sportsmans Classic in downtown St. Louis.
Dates are Friday thru Sunday August 28-30. Friday 2-10, Saturday 10-10,
and Sunday 11-6. $8 will get you in. You will see a ton of great and
entertaining information on hunting in our part of the country. It
features the NRA Great American Hunters tour along with all their excellent
seminar speakers. Sunday is going to be extra special, with an appearance
by Ted Nugent who will perform his "Spirit of the Wild" seminar at 11:45.
For more details see http://www.outdoorguidemagazine.com/events.html.
