Thanks For Your Input on Deer Management Proposals!
Your response, coupled with biological considerations, aided the Conservation Commission's decision in May to add a late portion to youth deer season and expanded the area covered by four-point rule.
- See the summary results of the forums
- Read the details on the 2008 season changes in All Outdoors.
- Read the details on the 2009 season changes.
Why we asked for your input
Hunters are Missouri's most effective and reliable means of managing deer numbers. However, as a group, Missouri's deer hunters are getting older. This, unfortunately, does not bode well for controlling deer numbers during the hunting seasons.
Missouri deer hunters will continue to enjoy excellent deer hunting, but we must explore better ways to manage the herd in the best interest of all Missourians.
When and how we gathered it
The Department of Conservation completed 16 public deer meetings by February 11, 2008. All the meetings were well attended, and more than 4,000 deer enthusiasts had a chance to provide input. We continued to accept comments through February 29, 2008.
Here are the potential regulation changes proposed in early 2008:
- Keep or expand the 4-point antler restriction.
- Change the season timing.
You can view a discussion of these potential changes on one of the two videos below.
Video presentations
You will need Adobe Flash Player to view these videos.
- Short Presentation 3:52 (6.4 MB) summarizes potential deer season changes
- Long Presentation 16:50
(28 MB) includes the entire public presentation
Next Steps
DONE! March Staff will summarize all the public input, including comments received at the public meetings, online, by mail and on the phone. Biological considerations coupled with public input will form the basis of recommended deer season regulations.
DONE! April The Department Regulations Committee will review the recommendations, including those related to antler restrictions in 2008 and season timing for 2009.
DONE! May After review, Director Hoskins will present the deer regulations package to the Conservation Commission for consideration.
June The Commission-approved 2008 Deer Information booklet will go to print.
July The 2008 Deer Information booklet will be available from permit vendors.
