Missouri Hunting
Other States
Administrative | 2 MethodsTwo comparison models for the self guided hunter looking for do it yourself Missouri hunts. The first model is based on personal research and the second is the MAHA approach. While both produce do it yourself Missouri hunts one method over the other has a higher potential for success. Personal Research, Time and MoneyThe first is personal research within Missouri to find the right combination of habitat elements for any particular do it yourself hunter. For this example, we will concentrate on whitetail deer and bobwhite quail hunting and based on information readily available to any hunter. The first step is the Missouri state conservation department that has historical roadside survey data on quail and harvest records on deer. Each document is lengthily and detailed and does answer the question where each wildlife species is distributed based on the collection data and will help narrow the regional decision criteria.
The light green in the north central part of the state (area 109) and the lavender area in the west central (area 112) is 50% crop land. The large green area in the south central region is 70% woodlands. When evaluating these land use/habitats and comparing to the wildlife survey/harvest data by the Missouri conservation department and add to that other sources such as the B&C or P&Y records the search narrows further as to what region has higher success potential for the do it yourself hunter. At this point the do it yourself hunter has the idea there is plenty of readily available information to narrow down within the state of where to hunt. That leaves only the availability of land, public or private. This map shows a great quantity of public lands (light green) available for general access hunting during any season.
Comparing this map to earlier land use map shows a great amount of public land in the 70% forested region and none within the crop land areas. This is one more comparison criteria. Missouri has other particular information sources useful tot he do it yourself hunter such as their deer point restriction zone where any harvested buck must have a minimum of 4 point on one side. This map shows that area.
Private land on the other hand remains with the landowner and gaining access to it within the region desired is now the trick. Placing hunting lease land wanted advertisements in local news papers or knocking on doors for general paid or free access is another method to acquire a place to hunt. This is when money now enters the equation. What spending level does the do it yourself Missouri hunter have to spend in search of land access? Travel time, fuel costs, lodging, meals and general wear on the vehicle plus any gifts or cash paid for land access means the hunter is paying for a place to hunt. A simple analysis to value this hunting access is to take the amount for all costs and divide it into the acreage acquired. Just taking a tank of fuel at 20 galleons per day say at a $1.50/gallon (there is hope) that is $30. Lodging say a conservative $40 for one night. Meals assuming packing a lunch ($5), a small breakfast ($4) and a standard restaurant diner probably around ($12 to 18) and the average cost per day conservatively will be around $91 and most will agree this is conservative. Spend 4 to 5 days pre season scouting potential private land and the cost is now conservatively $364. Find a 1/4 section or 160 acres for deer and 5,000 acres for quail hunting and the private land access cost say at just a $1 per acre (paid to the landowner in cash or gifts) now brings the deer hunter to $524 just to hunt one spot. Most deer hunters will most likely want three or more choices where to hunt and his price will continue to climb $524 for each property. The quail hunter to $5,524 for land enough for a reasonable do it yourself quail hunting trip. This model provides a reasonable approach or determining where to hunt and a possible cost analysis for access to private land. Why is that private land important? It is due to all the documentation previously cited. The better hunting, or stated another way, the best return for time and money spent, is within the more heavily cropped areas. Within these areas public land is minimal and private land predominate. It is the difference from going to lesser productive areas and nature walking to that of hunting within higher production areas and having a good hunt that will motivate the hunter to return for subsequent do it yourself hunts. MAHA Approach for Do It Yourself Missouri HuntsWe lease private land for our exclusive scouting, hunting and fishing within the right regions of Missouri where there does exist the right habitat to support the best we can find whitetail deer, bobwhite quail, turkey and duck hunting. This map shows the counties and acreage where we lease land.
For the cost of a membership the do it yourself Missouri hunter may hunt any season on his schedule for as many days as he may like to hunt. He makes a telephone reservation to ensure he hunts without competition and the first year member receives recommendations from the MAHA partners Jon Nee and John Wenzel where to hunt for what he is after. The hunter simply hunts as we have done all the research where to hunt and the self guided hunter of wild game will have a good hunt as that is the means by which he is motivated to return for seasons to come. That is our business goal to have a large return customer base.
Missouri Hunting for Whitetail Deer in the North and Southwest Missouri Turkey Hunting all on Private Land without Competition Crop Stubble for Goose and Wetlands for Ducks |
Another step would be land use surveys to detect habitat distribution such as this colorful Missouri map. The experienced do it yourself hunter will quickly seize on this information for its wealth of habitat distribution and area coverage giving indication to wildlife population densities.
