Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

MDC: deer harvest down from last year, late youth season higher

Posted 12/1/20

Preliminary data released Wednesday, Nov. 25 from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reveals that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 176,604 deer during the November portion of firearms …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

MDC: deer harvest down from last year, late youth season higher

Posted

Preliminary data released Wednesday, Nov. 25 from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reveals that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 176,604 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season, Nov. 14-24. Of the 176,604 deer harvested, 95,654 were antlered bucks, 16,045 were button bucks, and 64,905 were does.

Hunters in Howard County bagged 1,885 deer, 1,048 of which were antlered bucks.

Top harvest counties were Howell with 3,496 deer harvested, Franklin with 3,409, and Texas with 3,374.

Last year hunters checked 179,960 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season with 91,917 being antlered bucks, 17,330 being button bucks, and 70,713 being does.

“Hunters posted an impressive harvest total given the challenging conditions, particularly on opening weekend,” said MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle. “Typically, about half of the harvest occurs during the first two days of the season. Unfortunately, hunters were greeted by rain and high winds to start the season, resulting in harvest numbers falling behind last year’s mark early.”

Preliminary numbers show that young hunters ages six through 15 harvested 3,899 deer during Missouri’s late youth portion of the 2020 deer hunting season, Nov. 27-29. Of the 3,899 deer harvested, 1,433 were antlered bucks, 520 were button bucks, and 1,946 were does.

Young hunters in Howard County took 45 deer, 31 of which were does. Top counties for the late youth portion were Osage with 90 deer harvested, Pike with 87, and Franklin with 72. 

Last year’s harvest total for the late youth portion was 1,950 with 771 being antlered bucks, 204 button bucks, and 975 does.

“The total for this year’s late youth portion is the highest on record,” said MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle. “Great weather contributed to an impressive harvest total for this year’s late youth portion of firearms deer season.”

During shorter portions of firearms deer season, weather has an especially important effect on harvest.

“The weather for most of the late youth portion was great this year,” Isabelle  said. “Pleasant conditions struck a nice balance between being cool enough to encourage deer movement, but comfortable enough for young hunters to be out in the field.”

MDC reported three firearms-related hunting incidents during the November portion of the firearms deer season with all being non-fatal and self-inflicted.

Archery deer season resumed Nov. 25 and lasts through Jan. 15, 2021. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs Dec. 4-6 followed by the alternative methods portion Dec. 26 through Jan. 5, 2021.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here