A tradition that dates back many thousands of years will be continued this Thursday. Archers across the state of Missouri will set out in pursuit of white-tailed deer and wild turkey. The 1998 archery deer and turkey hunting season will open October 1 and continue through November 13. Following an eleven day closure for firearms deer season, it reopens November 25 and runs until January 15, 1999.

The basic challenge of harvesting a deer or turkey with a bow and arrow hasn't changed much over the years but the equipment used and the regulations that apply continue to evolve. In 1946, the first special archery season was held in Missouri. It was only three days long and was limited to bucks only in Crawford County. Seventy-three archers, using longbows and recurves, participated. No deer were taken until the 1950 archery season.

In 1997, more than 93,000 archery permits were sold in Missouri. Every county was open for a total of 83 days during which archers could take two deer of either sex. Longbows and recurves continue to be used by a growing minority, but the vast majority of the 20,891 deer harvested last year were taken with compound bows.

Hunters statewide enjoyed a 22 percent success rate last year with Southeast Missouri hunters taking their share. Ste. Genevieve County checked 256 deer to take top honors locally. Wayne County was next with 223 deer checked. Stoddard county, which contains much of both Mingo National Wildlife Refuge and Duck Creek Conservation Area, was third with 184 followed closely by Butler County with 183 deer.

Bollinger County checked 150 while Perry County, with limited public land added 114 to the statewide total. Not to be outdone, St. Francois County checked another 114. Other Southeast Missouri counties contributed the following: Cape Girardeau (78); New Madrid (78); Madison (68); Mississippi (67); Reynolds (57); Scott (54); Iron (35); Dunklin (16) and Pemiscot (14).

Prospects for the 1998 archery deer and turkey hunting season are bright. Strong deer populations in most areas, combined with liberal regulations, add up to increased opportunities for Missouri archers.

For the 1998 archery season, hunters will be allowed to take two deer and two turkeys of either sex, except that only one antlered deer may be taken from October 1 through November 13. This means that you can take two archery deer prior to firearms season but only one of them can be antlered. They could be two antlerless deer or one antlered and one antlerless. An archer who was not successful prior to firearms season could take two deer of either sex during the second segment from November 25 through January 15, 1998.

Hunting hours for both deer and turkey are: one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset daily. As in past years, archery deer and turkey must be checked at an established checking station within 24 hours of take.

This year, archery hunters will have a separate permit for each deer or turkey that they take. Anyone who kills a deer or turkey must immediately attach their archery hunting permit to the leg of the animal with string or wire. The permit must remain attached until the animal has been checked by the hunter (taker) at an established checking station. Only the taker may possess and transport deer and turkey before checking.

Deer must be submitted for checking with head attached; turkeys must be submitted with head attached and plumage intact.

For additional information, and complete regulations, consult the "1998 Deer and Turkey Hunting Information" booklet available from permit vendors statewide.

Gene Myers is a Missouri Department of Conservation agent in Cape Girardeau County.