Family-Outdoors

11/26/2025

Just saw a former colleague's picture of his grandson with a harvested deer and it made me think about the connection hunters have with the food they eat. I get it, and even respect the opinions of those who choose to refrain from eating meat. For kids, at an appropriate age, to participate in harvesting the food they eat I believe is a good thing. Just my opinion. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

11/14/2025

Rifle season in Missouri is upon us! I'm out of action with an injury that'll have me missing significant time in the field, but it's given me time to create some blogposts sharing some thoughts...I recently shared a guide to field dressing deer. Here's a post on how climate change might affect your hunts in Missouri with actionable thoughts and how to improve success in your harvests. Be safe and much success!

And What Hunters Need to Know in Each MDC RegionMissouri deer hunters have always adapted to changing weather, shifting food sources, and the natural rhythm of the rut. But in recent years, hunters across the state have noticed new patterns—warmer falls, unpredictable storms, erratic acorn crops, ...

11/08/2025

Don't head out on your first deer hunt before you know how to do this...

When the adrenaline rush of a successful deer hunt starts to fade, the real work begins. Field dressing — removing the internal organs of your deer — is the crucial first step to preserving meat quality and preventing spoilage. It’s a skill every hunter should master, and while it can be a lit...

10/16/2025

One of our favorite times in Missouri's Outdoors!

As October fades and the last bursts of fall color give way to frosty mornings, Missouri’s outdoor enthusiasts know they’re entering a special time of year.

10/14/2025

https://www.family-outdoors.com/single-post/the-sobering-reality-of-black-bear-attacks-and-how-to-stay-safer-outdoors

In recent weeks, parts of the Ozarks have been shaken by not one but two fatal black bear attacks — rare events in a region where human–bear conflicts are seldom deadly. In September 2025, a 70-lb juvenile black bear attacked 72-year-old Vernon Patton in Franklin County, Arkansas; Patton succumb...

10/10/2025

Discover the beauty of Echo Bluff State Park, a hidden gem in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks. Explore nature, find peace, and create unforgettable memories! Check it out here: https://wix.to/hc0mSUT

Echo Bluff State Park is a hidden gem tucked into the heart of the Missouri Ozarks. Officially opened to the public in 2016, this 476-acre park was carved out of the former Camp Zoe property and now offers visitors a superb mix of natural beauty and modern amenities. (Wikipedia)Nature, Scenery & Set...

01/14/2025

These challenges are indeed outstanding! What a great idea for a focus on fishing vacations! Clearly advantageous for WY residents. https://wgfd.wyo.gov/news-events/fishing-challenges-continue-be-popular-among-anglers

Whether the pursuit is Wyoming’s four native subspecies of cutthroat trout or other game fish, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s fishing challenges continue to attract anglers. Last year, 171 anglers achieved the Cutt-Slam by catching and documenting Bonneville, Colorado, Snake River and Ye...

09/27/2024

Have had some people contact me lately about leads for deer hunting private land - archery or fi****ms - here in Missouri. So I'll say this. It's NOT like it used to be where you could go knock on doors of people out in the country and ask permission. There's a lot of reasons why it's different, but it just is. If you want to hunt deer and you don't own land here are your options. 1) Have an existing relationship with someone with whom it's appropriate to ask for hunting permission. 2) Lease hunting land (sometimes called a trespass fee) 3) Pay to hunt on a game farm (not my favorite idea). 4) Hunt public land (my favorite). 5) Take your chances and go knock on doors of people in the country you don't know. If you want some help finding public land, the MDC is a great resource and we've put together info on both MDC and Federal land for hunting in Missouri at https://www.family-outdoors.com/missouri-deer-hunting

09/25/2024

There are a lot of fun things to do on Kauai. Beaches have to be at the top of anyone's list. Here are 5 you cannot miss! https://www.family-outdoors.com/single-post/5-kauai-beaches-you-cannot-miss

08/26/2024

In the middle of a warm but beautiful morning ride out at Treloar, MO...this enormous cottonwood tree is a fitting feature at the trailhead.. sadly, in the other pics you see the damage done to Treloar Bar and Grill about a month ago by flash flooding. Don't know if there are plans to rebuild.

08/10/2024

Feel like we're in New England or Pacific NW!!! 74⁰/56⁰ the hi/lo over past 24hrs @ our place! Normal MO August weather!😂❤️