2010 Firearms Deer Season Now in the Books

On February 25th, 2011 at 9:28pm cardem said:

In Missouri, a person may protect themselves and their property from harm from wildlife. There are still rules that must be followed however. While deer damage to crops is a concern to farmers, it is not as big a problem in our area. When deer are a problem, the landowner must contact the county conservation agent to discuss possible solutions before they are given permission to dispatch the animals causing the damage. We ask that citizens make an effort to solve the problem prior to seeking permission to dispatch any deer. If you are looking for ideas on how to discourage deer, you may call the local MDC office in Eminence at 573-226-3021  or Twin Pines Conservation Education Center in Winona at 573-325-1381.  Notice discourage is the word chosen here.  Not deer proof.  If you know of someone who is illegally dispatching deer, MDC encourages citizens to call Operation Game Thief or the local county agent.  Poaching is stealing opportunities from law abiding citizens and shouldn't be tolerated.  Thanks for the comments. 

On February 25th, 2011 at 9:10pm cardem said:

There seems to be several posts on deer meat going to waste.  Many folks in our area do depend on the meat harvested each year to help feed their families, my family included.  Hunters are ethically and legally obligated to make every effort to recover game.  Even if they do not want the meat themselves, hunters can donate deer to Share the Harvest.  This program, supported by the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation as well as other donors, provides meat for Missouri families. Sportsman go through stages as we discuss in the Hunter Education classes.  Some hunters like the taste of a nice deer burger or deer chili while others really want that trophy buck.  Whatever your reason for getting out and hunting in the deer woods, we want everyone to have a safe hunt and if you are lucky enough to have a successful hunt, make sure that the meat is put to good use as well.  Thanks for all the interest in the Pine Needle.

On February 25th, 2011 at 9:02pm cardem said:

Glad to hear that you had a a good year, special congratulations on your first success with a bow. 

On February 25th, 2011 at 3:24pm cardem said:

Thanks for the comment. There are of course many factors that will enter into the number of deer harvests each year.  The acorn crop was a big factor in our area (Carter, Shannon, and Ripley Counties) along with the full moon and the weather.  We understand that the mast crop wasn't as big a factor in other areas.  There were a lucky few that did get a nice harvest but overall the numbers in our area were down.  Let's hope for a good turkey harvest to hold us over.

On February 25th, 2011 at 2:47pm said:

Thanks for the comments.  MDC staff are always looking to help make our hunting heritage stronger, including changing up seasons.  We feel it is important to have not only people hunting but having a good experience as well.  While the weather may be better for the hunter in September, the hunting may not be.  Hunting seems to be better when the weather is cooler.  And then there are the ticks and such.  A deer harvested in September will undoubledly have a tick problem. I will certainly pass your comments along to the proper folks and thanks so much for taking time to comment on the blog.  We genuinely appreciate it.

On February 25th, 2011 at 2:41pm cardem said:

Our staff considers many things when establishing seasons. The estimated population and the mast or acorn crop are just two. We do try to get the information out in time for everyone to make plans.  Sorry it didn't work out for you this year but we hope you did have a good season after you were able to get into the wood.  I will pass along your comments.

On January 2nd, 2011 at 1:03pm Jeff said:

It is called a full moon phase. While some decrease due to an abundance of acorns, is acceptable as a reason, it would not work state wide. Not all areas of the state have a bumper crop of acorns at the same time, and in the north, west, and east areas of the state, crops are a major food source, and in many areas, they were even out early this year, due to good harvest conditions. Deer just move more at night with a full moon, espectially after a day or two of hunting pressure.

On January 2nd, 2011 at 10:05am Anonymous said:

Why not do some changing in the seasons this next year or two? Why not make a early muzzle loader season like in the end of Sept and start bow season on Oct. 1st or something like that. The weather would be better and it would get more in the woods. And why make the youth season so late when the weather is so cold and bad? Wouldn't more kids hit the field if it was better weather? And the early youth season is always on Halloween, what kid is going to go hunt when they could go get free candy. And I will say I am a meat hunter I prefer a full freezer to a mount on the wall. I think the antler restriction should be removed. I, as a MO resident, don't care if out of state people come hunt here. I know it is all about the money in these hard times but to many people have forgotten about what hunting is,it is putting food on your table, being a sportsman is all about putting a mount on the wall. Many MO residents use the hunting seasons for food not for anything else.

On December 30th, 2010 at 10:12am Jim Bevel said:

Very good article.

On December 29th, 2010 at 7:47pm RALPH MOUNTJOY said:

I would like to comment on your blog regarding the 2010 deer harvest. Although you talk about the different seasons such as rifle, muzzleloader, archery and urban hunting results, you fail to mention all the deer that are harvested as nuissance deer by farmers. There are many hunters who would love the opportunity to help farmers with their problems and do it legally. There is too much killing and the meat goes to waste.

On December 29th, 2010 at 7:43pm keith v said:

Maybe it is time to reconsider the doe harvest. I hunt in north Missouri and so does my family. Not seeing many does, one uncle saw 10 deer one evening during muzzleloader season in Macon County, eight were antlered bucks, not eating acorns, I think it"s time time to end some of the doe harvest.

On December 21st, 2010 at 12:29pm Anonymous said:

This hunting season I saw an exceptional amount of deer and had the opportunity to harvest a wonderful 145 inch mature buck in Dent county this year. With 1 additional doe that was my first bow kill but now I see why there weren't as many deer as there were in previous seasons. I was thinking that we might have spooked them because we put out a lot of stand this year. Oh, and yes the deer were a lot bigger this year.

On December 18th, 2010 at 9:40am Curt Dischinger said:

Muzzleloarder season starts today. What's up with the dates being so late and through the holidays. This will be the first season I've missed since it started. Just not right.

On December 13th, 2010 at 2:21pm Anonymous said:

Love all the available info on the various hunting seasons. Keep up the good work !

On December 12th, 2010 at 9:40pm Anonymous said:

Do you not consider muzzleloader season part of the firearms season?

On December 12th, 2010 at 12:57pm Anonymous said:

Would it be better to have a early muzzleloader season? I think some of the other states have a great idea in a earlier season. Make muzzleloader season the third week of September rather than in December when the weather is at its worst. With all the efforts to get more interest in hunting, this seems to be a way to do just that, a great way to boost our sales. Someone who might be young or older or has not been hunting a lot would be more likely to hunt with better weather instead of the freezing cold in Dec.

On December 11th, 2010 at 4:01pm Anonymous said:

Deer harvest is down. Too many does have been harvested.