To get to Frost Island CA, go four miles north of Wayland on County Route B and then one mile east on an unnamed gravel road. For an area map and more information, contact the MDC's Northeast regional office at (660) 785-2420.

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
The conservation areas surveyed above make some very promising opportunities for taking bucks and does alike available during Missouri's muzzleloader season this year. However, some of the hottest smokepole deer hunting can be had in the state's managed muzzleloader deer hunts, plenty of which are scattered across the state. Apart from giving you a crack at some really big bucks, they enable you to play a truly significant role in managing the Show-Me State herd by harvesting antlerless deer.

Hunters are selected to participate in these hunts by random drawing. The application period has always been July 1 through Aug. 15 of each year. Although it's too late to get in on any of this year's managed muzzleloader hunts, it's not too early to begin planning to submit your application for next year: Go online to www.missouriconservation.org/hunt/ deer/mgndeer for a list of managed hunts, a summary of the number applying for each hunt and a tally of deer taken. You can also refer to the 2006 edition of the Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet to see a list of hunts held this year. Most of them are annual affairs -- so you can get ready now for next year's hunt!

If you're drawn for a managed deer hunt, you'll have to purchase a Managed Deer Hunting Permit (available after Sept. 11 wherever permits are sold). Some of these managed deer hunts allow the taking of one deer, others two, still others three; one held this year permits the harvest of four. And note this: Deer taken with Managed Deer Hunting Permits do not count toward your regular deer hunting season permits.

Another wrinkle: You may apply as an individual or as a party of up to six hunters -- but whether as an individual or as part of a party, you yourself may apply only once for one managed deer hunt each year. If you or your party should apply for more than one hunt, you'll be disqualified from that year's drawing.

You can apply for a managed deer hunt by calling the MDC's interactive phone system at 1-800-829-2956 or online at www.missouriconservation. org/hunt/deer. From Sept. 11 through Dec. 31, call the above number or go online to find out if you've been selected. And: If you're lucky enough to be drawn but at the last minute find out that you can't participate, make sure to avoid being disqualified from next year's managed hunt lottery by calling the hunt location to cancel.

"If you're going to apply for a managed deer hunt and do get drawn, make sure you're going to hunt," said MDC urban wildlife biologist, Deb Burns. "Some people apply, get drawn, and then just don't show up to hunt. They are actually taking a spot from someone who really does want to hunt."