Deer hunters in Missouri killed a near-record 199,427 deer during the November portion of fall firearms deer season, according to preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Of the 199,427 deer killed Nov. 10-20, 102,930 were antlered bucks, 19,924 were button bucks and 76,573 were does.
Top harvest counties were: Franklin with 4,021 deer killed, Howell with 3,858 and Callaway with 3,695. Around Mid-Missouri, there were: 1,302 deer killed in Cole County, 2,382 in Boone, 1,517 in Maries, 2,133 in Miller, 1,332 in Moniteau, 2,878 in Morgan and 3,116 in Osage.
Last year, hunters checked 192,797 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season with 100,161 antlered bucks, 20,267 button bucks and 72,369 does.
The recent-record season was 2012 with 204,668 deer harvested, including 87,368 antlered bucks, 27,143 button bucks and 90,157 does.
MDC reported eight firearms-related hunting incidents during the November portion of firearms deer season, of which three involved fatalities. Two of the fatalities were incidental to hunting while at hunting camps, and the other was a self-inflicted incident while in the field. Of the five non-fatal incidents, four were self-inflicted and the fifth occurred when the shooter struck a victim while swinging on game.
Deer hunting in Missouri continues with archery deer hunting Nov. 21-Jan. 15. The late youth portion of firearms deer season runs though Sunday. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Lastly, the alternative methods portion will run Dec. 22-Jan. 1. Learn more about deer hunting in Missouri at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer.