OZARK
The Ozark Region added 147 MSMBBC bucks (126 typicals and 21 non-typicals) to the state's trophy list during the study period. On one hand, those statistics are proof positive that trophy bucks can be had in this region, the state's most ruggedly beautiful. On the other hand, the entire region produced 20 fewer trophies than did Saline and Chariton counties combined.

Shannon, at 42nd in the state, was the Ozark Region's only county to rank above the statewide average. However, Phelps (59th), Dent (60th) and Carter (62nd) didn't miss the mark by much. At the other end of the scale, only an optimist would pick Ozark (98th), Wright (105th) or Douglas (108th) as the base of his next trophy hunt.

Acorns are the basic element of the whitetail's diet in the mountainous Ozark region. Acorns are, perhaps, as close to a perfect food as any wild deer is likely to eat. The problem is that acorn production is cyclic at best and is subject to near-total failures at worst. It's rare for a buck fawn to live to maturity without experiencing one or more nutritional shortages.

Look for the Ozark Region to remain the state's sixth-best trophy region.

SOUTHEAST
The Southeast region tallied 135 MSMBBC bucks (105 typicals and 30 non-typicals) to keep itself out of the regional cellar. Actually, a total of 135 entries isn't that bad for a 16-county region in which nine counties contributed fewer than 10 bucks each.

No Southeast county ranked above the statewide average. However, Cape Girardeau (62nd), Ste. Genevieve (67th), Perry (73rd), Bollinger (74th), Reynolds (75th), Wayne (79th) and St. Francois (81st) managed to average one or more entries per year. If you decide to hunt in Dunklin or Pemiscot counties and if you tag a trophy buck, you'll be the first person to have done so in modern times.

BIG BUCKS BY REGION, 1992-2001
Region	Total	Percent
Central	671	24.59%
Northeast	568	20.81%
Northwest	568	20.81%
Kansas City	299	10.96%
St. Louis	226	8.28%
Ozark	147	5.39%
Southeast	135	4.95%
Southwest	115	4.21%
Totals	2,729	100%

Don't look for this region to improve its statewide ranking, but the number of trophy bucks it produces may increase during the next decade.

SOUTHWEST
What can I say about a region that's one of my heart's favorites? The plain truth is that 115 MSMBBC entries (97 typicals and 18 non-typicals) in 10 years do not a trophy region make.

Surprisingly, Laclede (52nd) gave the Southwest one above-average trophy producer, albeit only barely. Barton (75th) and Jasper (80th) were the only other Southwest counties to average slightly more than one entry per year. Taney (111th) had one entry and Dade (112th) zipped.

The Southwest's statistics show that trophy buck lightning can strike (almost) anywhere in Missouri. However, they also aptly demonstrate that location is every bit as important in trophy deer hunting as it is in real estate. This region is the state's poorest trophy producer now and, in all likelihood, will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Assuming you can hunt anywhere in the state you choose, you now have sufficient information to home in on one or more general areas. Finding that perfect 40 acres is still up to you.

In closing, I'd like to urge any hunter who tags a trophy buck this season not to give up on the MSMBBC. Our patience and cooperation will make it easier for them to solve their problems, and I, for one, am confident that they'll do so.