Has anyone hunted the Mark Twain National Forest in South Missouri? Specifically in the Ripley County area? Have a trip planned up that way opening week of Missouri rifle season and was wondering if it would be worth going hunting for a few days while i was there.

Never been but it’s a huge forest and MO has the deer so I’d give it a try.

Even a bad day of hunting is still better than a good day of work, if you're up that way and have the time to go for a hunt, I don't know why you wouldn't? worst case you spend some time in the woods exploring a new place.

Not sure about there. But north of Troy Missouri has some huge deer. The quiver river holds some nice ones.

I'll send you a PM

I have turkey hunted that area. Steep hills and hollers.

My buddy is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, which is pretty much surrounded by it. Plenty of deer, but can be challenging to hunt. It’s mostly big woods and hills. Right now is tough because there is no shortage of food, and there are white oaks everywhere dropping. I always started by looking for thickets and located sign around that.

Thanks for the input guys. Semo thanks Ill be looking for it!

School is out for rifle season, at least it was the time I went. They have some big deer, but it’s crowded.
Plenty of people out for the rifle season.

Yeah, this year the white oaks seem to have a good crop. So, that usually drives down the harvest numbers in the ozarks. It can be tough if they don't have to move.