Jones looks not only for good amounts of deer droppings but also for large deer droppings. His theory: The larger the deer, the larger the droppings.

Jones also likes hunting near the boundaries of such areas. These might be the boundaries of the public land bordering private property, or ones that border refuge areas on the public lands he is hunting.

"If I can find a funnel area or a good corner near a bordering crop field, I know I've found a hotspot," he said. "I like to set up next to these boundaries for some really hot action."

As a veteran bowhunter, Jones has learned that no matter how scent-free he tries to be, the deer can and will smell him if the wind isn't in his favor. He knows that if the wind isn't right, then you should avoid using a particular stand until things change. Multiple stands in different locations help him be a successful hunter.

Jones also likes to brush in his tree stands with oak limbs that he cuts during late summer while their leaves are still green. By the time hunting season rolls around, the leaves are brown and ready to be tied to his stands with string to help break up his outline.

Jones doesn't worry about hunting pressure from others. Instead, he looks for hot deer sign in large amounts, loves hunting funnel areas or hot trails on the borders and always hunts the wind. These tactics will help you be more consistently successful when hunting anywhere in Missouri.

SUMMARY
The archery deer season in Missouri will probably remain the same as last year. Opening day should still be Sept. 15 and the close of the season should be Jan. 15. However, the MDC does have some concerns about urban deer and is currently looking for new ways to increase the harvest in these urban areas. New urban zones may be an option that the MDC implements to help reduce deer numbers in these areas. Regulations for 2006-07 were not available at press time.

"I feel we should have a very good deer hunting season this year," said MDC resource scientist Lonnie Hansen. "Harvest was depressed in many areas of Missouri last year because of the overabundance of acorns, especially in the south."

According to Hansen, the areas in which a heavy mast crop served to hold down the deer harvest last season should have a surplus of deer for hunters this season.

If you want to increase your odds of harvesting a deer this season, check out the conservation areas listed above. These public hunting lands do indeed offer some of Missouri's best bowhunts!

Find more about Missouri fishing and hunting at: MissouriGameandFish.com