For the second consecutive year during Missouri’s new early antlerless rifle season, NDA Deer Outreach Specialists Cheyne Matzenbacher and Cole Gander had the opportunity to cooperate with multiple organizations and partners to participate in the Governor’s Second Annual Mentored Deer Hunt.
Despite temperatures hovering in the high 80s and low 90s, multiple properties across the state hosted 35 new hunters and their mentors for the weekend event. Many of the participating landowners were part of the Deer Management Assistance Program and had a goal of reducing deer densities on their properties, which provided ample opportunities for the new hunters to have a chance at harvesting a deer. This event is a win-win situation for all and creates an invaluable opportunity for new hunters and landowners facing the challenges that come with high deer densities.
Participants were taught the basics of deer hunting, deer biology, hunting ethics, conservation, shot placement, and weapons safety and handling before they headed out to the range to get dialed in with their rifles. After the range, each participant was given the opportunity to go out and try to harvest a deer on two different hunts with mentors alongside them to help every step of the way. When a deer was harvested during the event, the new hunters were given instructions on how to field dress and process their game. One of the best parts of it all was that everyone had the chance to sample some delicious venison meals and snacks throughout the weekend.
NDA was once again able to help plan the event, coordinate two of the hunt locations, mentor new hunters, and provide educational materials to the other hunt coordinators. NDA also provided follow up educational resources to the new hunters, such as the Deer Hunting 101 online course and links to the Deer Steward program. As always, our Deer Hunting 101 YouTube Video Series was a big hit with the new hunters!
At the Howell County location where Cheyne was coordinating, three participants were mentored by folks from NDA, NWTF, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Ozark Mountain Outdoors. Two of the three new hunters were able to harvest deer, including a new hunter who “redeemed” himself after missing a deer last year on a hunt! To make the event even more special, his father had the opportunity to attend, and they got to share the experience of the first harvest together in the blind.
The second participant who harvested was a return hunter from the Inaugural Governor’s Annual Mentored Deer Hunt. Since attending the first event, he has immersed himself into the world of deer hunting and was grateful for the opportunity to return, learn more, and have another opportunity to provide his family with a delicious venison dinner. He ended up having the hot hand all weekend and he harvested three does!
Unfortunately, the third participant at this location did not harvest, but it was not for the lack of deer movement. He had a buck parade work by within range the first night and the next morning the does he saw didn’t offer a good, ethical shot opportunity. The participant remembered what he learned during the education portion about shot placement and body position and wisely decided not to take a shot with the deer moving and positioned wrong. His ethical decision was the true testament to the value of the educational content that was provided to new hunters at this event!
In Shelby County, where Cole was coordinating, two hunters were able to participate in the Governor’s Annual Mentored Deer Hunt at a new hunting location. The landowners were gracious hosts and had other family members in town that jumped at the opportunity to assist with the event! One landowner even served as a mentor to a participant that was very interested in learning how to hunt to provide locally sourced protein for his family. The first evening, they had multiple bucks and an adult doe and fawn work by within range. The hunter could not make out the doe’s vitals due to the tall grass and wisely decided to wait for her to step out into a clearing for a shot…unfortunately, that never happened. The fawn worked out into the open, but he elected to pass in hopes of harvesting a more mature deer the following morning. Unfortunately, this did not happen either… as they had several does run through their shooting lanes without offering a shot opportunity.
The other participant was also brand new to the world of hunting and had never fired a high-powered rifle before the event. Though he was a little gun shy at first, he quickly got the hang of it and ended up having a great group at 100 yards! Throughout the weekend, we had multiple buck parades work by within bow range, but all the does stayed too far away for a shot. The only group of does and fawns that worked our way were spooked by a couple of racoons working their way down the ridge just before making it within range.
All in all, it was a great weekend, with this event was the ultimate testament to the fact that hunting is not all about the harvest. Instead, mentors, mentees, and event partners were able to enjoy the atmosphere of a true deer camp and make friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Everyone enjoyed their time in camp and left drenched in sweat and having learned something new.
The National Deer Association would like to thank all the other partners, landowners, and organizations that were involved in this great event: Missouri Department of Conservation, the Conservation Federation of Missouri, National Wild Turkey Federation, Friends of the NRA, Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Missouri Disabled Sportsmen, Missouri’s Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, Whitetails Unlimited, ALPS Outdoorz, Dead End Game Calls, MO Woods and Wildlife, Antlers and More, Kansas City Safari Club International, and Missouri Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. The success of this event, this year and last, sets the stage for continued collaboration among partners and paves the way for future conservation initiatives.