MDC

Hunting and Managing Deer

The white-tailed deer is one of Missouri’s most valuable wildlife resources. Each year hunters take nearly four million trips to the field, pursuing the whitetail, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy. Public viewing of deer attracts thousands of visitors to our state’s public lands annually. A survey of urban and rural Missouri citizens revealed that of all animals outside a zoo, people most prefer to see the white-tailed deer. It also is a favorite with children. The whitetail was selected as our state mammal by vote of school-age children.

On the down side, deer cause thousands of vehicle accidents on our roadways annually and feed on agricultural and household plantings throughout the state. It is not surprising that Missourians have strong feelings toward whitetails, mostly positive, but some negative. As a steward of this important wildlife resource, the Missouri Department of Conservation is sensitive to these attitudes.

The Department’s goal is to maintain deer numbers at levels that serve the best interest of the Missouri public. This requires knowledge of whitetail biology. Equally important, however, is commitment and cooperation from Missouri citizens who serve both as the advisory board that guides our management and the tool with which we regulate deer numbers. The landowner is the key to this process because most deer management in Missouri takes place on private properties.