MDC Reports Deer Harvest
Missouri sees a drop in overall numbers
The 2024–2025 deer hunting season ended Jan. 15 with a preliminary total deer harvest for the season of 276,262. Of the deer harvested, 129,252 were antlered bucks, 23,842 were button bucks, and 123,168 were does. Top harvest counties for the overall deer season were Franklin with 6,208, Jefferson with 4,900, and Macon with 4,495.
Deer hunting ended with the close of the archery season. Preliminary data from MDC showed that hunters checked 56,347 deer during the 2024–2025 archery deer season. Top counties for the archery deer season were Jefferson with 1,579, Franklin with 1,216, and St. Louis with 994. This year’s archery deer harvest total was slightly higher (1 percent) than last year’s total of 55,731.
According to MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle, the overall drop in harvest this year was due to a combination of factors including a week-later start to the November portion of firearms deer season and a bumper acorn crop.
For deer harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Z3g. For deer harvest summaries from past years, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4ZM.
Four non-fatal, self-inflicted firearms-related hunter incidents and three non-fatal, shooter-victim incidents were reported for the season.
New MDC Hunting and Fishing Booklets Available.
Missouri hunters, trappers, anglers, and others can get free copies of MDC’s updated booklets on spring turkey hunting, hunting and trapping, and fishing starting in early March at MDC regional offices, MDC nature centers, and other places where permits are sold. The handy booklets have information on related permits, seasons, species, regulations, limits, conservation areas, sunrise and sunset tables, and more. Get booklet information online at mdc.mo.gov using the search tool at the top of the homepage.
MoNASP State Tournament
Get ready for another exciting year of archery competition and fun at the 2025 Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) State Archery Tournament, March 19–22 at the Branson Convention Center on the Landing in Branson. Event organizers expect 3,900 students to participate in the bull’s-eye event and 1,800 in the 3-D competition. Get more information and tournament details at short.mdc.mo.gov/4Hm.
Nature Boost
Interested in exploring the outdoors, but unsure where to start? It’s as easy as stepping out your door! Join host Jill Pritchard from the Missouri Department of Conservation as she explores everything nature has to offer – from health benefits and wildlife viewing, to outdoor recreation and unbelievable conservation stories. Subscribe and get your own Nature Boost!
Download the podcast at mdc.mo.gov/natureboost.
Sierra Page
Cass County
Conservation Agent
Paddlefish season opens on March 15. This ancient species — Missouri’s official state aquatic animal — can grow 7 feet and weigh more than 100 pounds. Before you head for the water, be sure you know the regulations. You must have a fishing permit, unless exempt. The daily limit is two paddlefish, and the possession limit is four. Length limits must be observed. A legal paddlefish is 32 inches from the eye to the fork of the tail. If you are on Truman Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, or Table Rock Lake, that length increases to 34 inches. If you are using a boat, follow proper boating safety measures. For more information, consult A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations available at short.mdc.mo.gov/4H9.
Sara Scheil
Sara Scheil has a passion that inspires others to connect with nature and advocate for its protection. Sara credits her work as a volunteer and mentor, hundreds of hours of independent study, and the education she has received from the programs in which she is an active member — including Master Gardener and Master Naturalist — for shaping this passion.
For the love of the outdoors
As a child, Sara spent countless hours exploring the creeks, pastures, and cropland of her family’s property in southeast Iowa. She began birding when she was 8 years old, after receiving her first pair of binoculars. From there, her love of the outdoors blossomed into a profound commitment to conservation.
In her own words
If you are interested in getting involved in conservation, Sara says, “The first step is just looking at things. Don’t underestimate the power of observation. Go out in nature and sit and listen.”
Central Newt
A small, olive-brown salamander with black spots, the central newt lives in and around woodland ponds and swamps. It is the state’s only newt. They have a complex, four-stage life cycle — egg, aquatic larva, terrestrial juvenile (or land-dwelling eft), and aquatic adult. As adults, they are active day or night and may be seen as they swim near the surface, coming up for air. Newts remain active throughout the year, even swimming under ice.
And More...
This Issue's Staff
Editor – Angie Daly Morfeld
Associate Editor – Larry Archer
Photography Editor – Ben Nickelson
Staff Writer – Kristie Hilgedick
Staff Writer – Joe Jerek
Staff Writer – Dianne Van Dien
Designer – Marci Porter
Designer – Kate Morrow
Photographer – Noppadol Paothong
Photographer – David Stonner
Circulation – Marcia Hale