I grew-up in S.E. Missouri, about an hour south of St. Louis. I have killed deer in a half-dozen counties down there… but not for a long, long time.
I moved to N.E. Missouri in 1981 and began hunting up there. A few years later I crossed the Great River and began deer hunting in Illinois. File that info as we will come to it later.
My dad stopped deer hunting about a decade ago due to age and failing health. He still lives in St. Francois County. My best friend Roger Lewis also still lives down home. He and his boys have come north to hunt with me on many occasions.
Now let me put this info together for you. Last summer Roger bought over 200 acres of big timber near where we grew up.
He was excited a couple of months ago as he gave the tour. He was also very excited when I accepted his invitation for me to come in November to deer hunt with him and his boys. I was excited, as well.
Roger is working on getting his lodge constructed so I took the opportunity to spend a couple of nights with my dad on this trip. Seeing my father fellowship with the Lewis gang and deer hunting in S.E. Missouri made this a true homecoming deer hunt.
When I was with Roger on his property I took the opportunity to scout and pick out my spot for opening day. Even with that it would be hit-and-miss hunting a new property for the first time. But we were all in the same boat.
Going home to Missouri to deer hunt also allowed me the chance to shoot a very special rifle. Another great friend from Farmington is Adam Busse.
