Dave - I'm not planning to live there, but did a bunch of research in No Mo last year prior to buying my farm there. I'd go N-central - say centered around Mercer County - if I had my druthers. You are far enough away from the bigger cities that property is less expensive for one thing - (and I think No Mo recreational ground is a bargain right now) - I know, it has went up alot, but still cheap relative to the rest of the Midwest. If I was going to retire there I'd try to pick up some land as well as looking at the public ground.
Keep in mind the effects on hunting from the CWD control zone area - who knows how that will turn out long-term for the deer - but it is something to think about. I hunted 3 years in Macon County on a friend's private ground which had moderate archery pressure and extremely heavy gun pressure. Still, in a 2 week hunt pre-gun season during the rut I felt you'd have a really good chance at killing a 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 yr old buck - say 130-140 class - every year. That place is the next section over from ground zero in the CWD thing and I wouldn't go back for a few years 'till the dust settles.
Decent deer hunting there. Not like low pressure private ground in Iowa, but unless you know someone you aren't getting on low pressure private ground in Iowa. Plus good recreational ground is 2X more expensive up there.
I haven't spent much summer time in NoMo, but plenty at Dad's place in SE Iowa...and I don't think you will be escaping any humidity unless it gets above 100% where you are from!
Good luck with your search!
R
Topic: Missouri retirement (Read 299 times)
