Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Headed to Missouri. First trip ever.

Me and buddy have been offered a farm to hunt up in Princeton not too far from the Iowa line. From the looks of our schedules, we will be able to hunt the whole first firearm season. Have read that there’s insane pressure on public lands but with us having access to private property, we are hoping it won’t be too much off an issue.

The farm consist of 350 acres which 100 acres of it is wooded not counting the fingers etc and has two creeks. The rest will be planted in corn and borders some CRP and larger lots.

This will be our first trip ever hunting the Midwest and really anywhere other than South Alabama. Where we are used to, you will be lucky to see one buck that meets 115 or greater in a season if not two seasons. We have both killed deer in the 130s (big for here) and plenty 110-120 class deer.

Farmer told me that passing 130/140 isn’t uncommon and he’s had a few 160/170+ on cameras in the past years. Now this is taken with grain of salt mainly because I don’t want to have unrealistic expectations, and I have never seen anything even close to that killed in the area of the country we hunt in.

What can we realistically expect from the area and what are some tips?

I went to college just east of there in Kirksville back in the late 90s. I rarely, if ever, came across a lot of deer hunters when I was out duck and pheasant hunting. However, that was quite awhile ago and I suspect the public ground gets a lot more pressure these days. You'll be on private ground and like anywhere, a lot of it depends on what the neighbors are doing. I think you have a good chance of seeing a 150 class buck given the description of the ground you'll be on.

Don’t shoot the first deer you see. When I was in service I brought a buddy up to eastern Iowa to hunt, his first trip out of South Georgia. He shot the first basket racked 8 point he saw. Don’t get me wrong he was excited as it was a 100+” deer and the body up here are WAY bigger than he used to. It was a 1 1/2 yr old

But…. 2 days later we were in a stand together and I shot a 167” 11 pointer. Same farm, 150yards from where he shot his. We both had doe tags and hinted the next 6 days and saw over a dozen bucks that were in the 140” to what I believe would be a solid 185” deer.

They are your tags and as long as you are happy that what matters. But if the farmer has pics of deer on the place it might be worth looking at them to get an idea of what is normal for the area so you don’t do like my buddy and wish he would have waited a day or 2 longer to pull the trigger.

Good luck and post pictures or the trip. And most of all enjoy the trip and time with friends.

Used to hunt just west of there around Eagleville, some dandy bucks up in that area.

Sit all day. Dark to dark. Its a hard thing to do it but it can pay off.

I've hunted Cainsville and King City areas. If you have a week to hunt un pressured land a 140 or 150 could be a real possibility..... or bigger

Do stay all day. I have shot my best deer around 10 AM or a bit later when the hunters were getting in their cars to leave for a while. Many years I have collected my venison after coming in following dawn by an hour. I don't do more than count points and hunt south of where you guys are going. Not far off US 36. I have to say I get a deer if I go a few days. But good luck and photos and the hunt story if you can. Be Well, RZ.

Only pressure will be the landowner and son is going to hunt 5 days of bow the first week. Hope that doesn’t affect too much.

I've hunted north central Missouri extensively. There are some really good bucks but they are not behind every tree . Shoot what makes you happy. That being said I wouldn't pull the trigger on anything under 130" . You may not see a 140" deer . A high percentage of bucks 150" and over come from managed farms . There is generally a lot of pressure which can limit the number of older age class bucks .Some early scouting in Late July and August can give a good idea what's there .
Rifle season can be feast or famon . As most of it falls in the middle of peak breeding when most of the mature bucks are locked down with does , but you never know . I generally hunt archery from Halloween to the beginning of rifle season , the opening two days of rifle , and then go back in December with a muzzleloader if I haven't killed one .

I've hunted North Missouri for over 20 years.

It's not what it used to be....not even close.

With that being said a 140" deer shouldn't be unthinkable in the 11 day season if you can hold out but 150"+ deer are not behind every bush or tree....

tedthorn said " Its not what it used to be ... not even close ."

Very true .

Certain parts of Missouri are really starting to blossom. North Missouri has declined a bit but is still very very strong. I would not shoot anything under 140” the first weekend if I had a chance to hunt the whole season.

Especially if you have 300+ acres to hunt.

You will be in amazing country for really big deer. The corn really puts it on 'em. Hold out for a stud! I coon hunted near the Iowa line for many years. Saw many wall hangers at night. Good luck!

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun, don't worry about inches.

I was returning from a trip to Nebraska, talked to some hunters from GA. that had two tremendous bucks they got near Mound city, however I've also talked to two other hunters that said they would only hunt during bow season as it was too dangerous in rifle season and locals didn't respect property lines, using 4-wheels to drive for their partners.

From what you said.You will have a good hunt .
Hold out for a good one .You have an excellent chance .

Yeah. Length doesn't matter. Ha. I hunt for meat but won't keep the safety on if a big one comes by me and says "Shoot me." Be Well, RZ.