The Missouri Department of Conservation reports white-tailed deer numbers are increasing in much of the state, which should contribute to an increase in the number of deer killed during this fall's hunting season.
"Deer populations in much of southern Missouri have been increasing slowly over time, and deer numbers in much of central and northern Missouri have rebounded from the severe hemorrhagic disease outbreak in 2012 that caused a significant decline in deer numbers in many counties," MDC cervid program supervisor Jason Isabelle said in a news release.
"Increased hunter participation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is also likely to contribute to a higher deer harvest this fall," Isabelle continued. "We saw a significant increase in the number of hunters that pursued turkeys this past spring. If we see a similar increase in hunter participation this fall, it could lead to one of our highest deer harvests in many years."
Isabelle noted MDC has steadily increased antlerless deer harvest opportunities in many counties over the last several years in response to increasing deer numbers.
Archery deer hunting opened Sept. 15 and runs through Nov. 13. Archery season will then reopen Nov. 25 through Jan. 15, 2021.
The November portion of firearms deer season starts Nov. 14 and runs through Nov. 24.
The alternative methods portion runs Dec. 26 through Jan. 5, 2021.
A firearms antlerless portion runs Dec. 4-6. Youth firearms portions run Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 and again Nov. 27-29.
MDC is encouraging hunters who will have their deer professionally processed to check with meat processors about their availability to process deer this fall. Some meat processors around the state are reporting higher-than-normal business and may not be accepting deer for processing or will have significant delays in processing deer. Hunters wanting to donate to Share the Harvest are also encouraged to check with their local meat processors as some are not participating in the program this year.
More information on Share the Harvest is available online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/deer-share-harvest.
MDC will continue to offer statewide voluntary chronic wasting disease sampling and testing of harvested deer during the entire deer season at select locations throughout the state, including participating MDC offices, cooperating taxidermists, and new freezer head-drop locations. Sampling and test results are free.
MDC reminds deer hunters to follow carcass movement restrictions that are in effect to slow the spread of CWD. The new regulations prohibit movement of whole deer carcasses and heads out of a CWD Management Zone county unless the deer or head is being delivered to a licensed meat processor or taxidermist within 48 hours.
Get more information on CWD, sampling station locations, and related regulations online at mdc.mo.gov/CWD.
Information on deer hunting in Missouri is available online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer and from MDC's 2020 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations & Information booklet, available where permits are sold and online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fall-deer-and-turkey-hunting-regulations-and-information.