Ted Shanks CA is primarily a wetland area with lots of bottomland, crop fields, and sloughs. About the only hardwood species that survived the devastating flood of 1993 is the pin oak, most of which are near Flag Lake.

"We have a good deer population here, and we see some really good bucks on a regular basis during the season," Kelly said. "Last year, we had 882 hunting trips reported, and 44 deer were harvested during those hunts."

Archers who bowhunt the Ted Shanks area must sign in and fill out a daily hunting report card and drop it off when they exit the area. This area is primarily managed for waterfowl, and once the waterfowl season opens, about half of the area turns into a waterfowl refuge and deer hunters are restricted. However, from Sept. 15 through Oct. 14, hunters pretty much have free range. Also, there is a reserved section that closes to hunting at 1 p.m.

"Bowhunters have a good chance of shooting a deer here," Kelly said. "Although we get some pressure on the weekends, there is plenty of places for everybody to hunt here."

Ted Shanks will provide boats to bowhunters who wish to use them. You may also bring your own boat to access remote areas of this tract. Much of the area is only accessible by boat, so this is an option that you should consider.

Camping at the parking lot at the Ted Shanks' headquarters is very popular among bowhunters. You may also camp at the nearby Dupont CA campground. Campers are allowed a 14-day continuous stay.

Ted Shanks CA is 17 miles south of Hannibal on state Highway 79, and then east on County Route TT. Hunters should make themselves aware of exactly which portions of this area are open for hunting at different times of the deer season. For a map and more information, contact the MDC at (573) 754-6171.

SOUTHWEST REGION
Bois D'Arc CA
The 5,000-plus-acre Bois D'Arc CA has been primarily targeted by the MDC as a quail restoration area since 1987. Bois D'Arc's old fields and native warm-season grasses on the west side of the area and the woodland breaks on the eastern side of the area provide a great mix of habitat not only for quail but for whitetail deer.

The habitat and deer numbers are dispersed pretty evenly at Bois D'Arc. You will find rows of corn, legume plantings and old fields. The northeastern portion of the area is the most heavily timbered, but the entire area has lots of good places with cover for the deer to hide in.

"This area is very popular for archery deer hunting," said MDC wildlife regional supervisor Tim Russell. "We have good numbers of deer and some good-sized bucks. Last year, a bowhunter killed a really big buck here."

According to Russell, when the hunting pressure gets heavy on surrounding private lands, the deer move into the Bois D'Arc CA to escape the intense heat from hunters. In case you think you misread that last statement, let me say it again: The deer move from the private land to the public land to escape hunting pressure!