Deer hunters in Missouri harvested 80,525 deer during the opening weekend of the November portion of the fall firearms deer season, according to preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Of the 80,525 deer killed, 48,695 were antlered bucks, 6,867 were button bucks, and 24,963 were does.
Top harvesting counties for opening weekend were Howell with 1,499 deer killed, Bollinger with 1,453, and Franklin with 1,446.
In Central Missouri, Cole County had 421 deer killed, Boone 770, Callaway 1,266, Maries 620, Miller 848, Moniteau 517, Morgan 1,234 and Osage 1,007.
Last year, hunters checked 88,760 deer during the opening weekend of November portion of firearms deer season.
MDC officials noted in a news release that poor weather during much of the weekend affected this year's harvest total. In many areas of the state, hunters dealt with rainy conditions Saturday. Although rain moved out by Sunday, hunters were greeted by strong, gusty winds for most of the day.
The November portion of firearms deer season continues through Nov. 24. Archery season resumes Nov. 25 through Jan. 15, 2021. The late youth portion runs. Nov. 27-29. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs Dec. 4-6 followed by the alternative methods portion Dec. 26 through Jan. 5, 2021.
More information on deer hunting is available in MDC's 2020 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZXv.
