With youth deer and fall firearms turkey seasons already behind us, state officials are reminding outdoors enthusiasts to practice safety measures ahead of the most popular portion of firearms deer season.
Firearms deer season opens Nov. 12.
“Safety while hunting is ultimately the responsibility of the hunter,” said MDC Hunter Education Coordinator Justin McGuire. “Hunters must clearly identify their targeted game animals before even putting their fingers on the triggers of their firearms or before drawing their bows when archery hunting. They must also be aware of what is behind their targets and should never shoot at movement or sound.”
Early youth firearms deer season was open Saturday and Sunday, with 13,759 deer harvested, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Top harvest counties were Franklin, Osage and Howell.
Our seven-county region of Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Reynolds, Ripley, Stoddard and Wayne saw just over 900 deer harvested.
Hunters took a total of 1,846 birds during the fall firearms turkey season, MDC also reported. The season ran from Oct. 1-31. Top harvest counties were Franklin, Gasconade and Laclede. The seven-county region had a total of 155.
Upcoming seasons
Missouri’s archery deer and turkey season continues through Nov. 11 and resumes Nov. 23 through Jan. 15, 2023.
The November portion of firearms deer season runs Nov. 12-22 followed by the late youth portion Nov. 25-27.
The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs Dec. 3-11 (in open counties) followed by the alternative methods portion Dec. 24 through Jan. 3.
Early youth season
Top counties in the early youth firearms deer season were Franklin with 330 deer harvested, Osage with 310, and Howell with 260. Youth hunters harvested 15,608 during last year’s early youth portion.
“Saturday’s conditions were fairly comfortable for our young deer hunters,” said MDC’s Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle. “Although the rain we received in portions of the state on Sunday was much needed given the ongoing drought, it did put a bit of a damper on the latter half of the early youth portion.”
Area harvest totals were, according to MDC:
Butler — Antlered bucks 63; Button bucks 6; Does 36; Total 105
Carter — Antlered bucks 73; Button bucks 16; Does 30; Total 119
Reynolds — Antlered bucks 83; Button bucks 21; Does 49; Total 153
Ripley — Antlered bucks 114; Button bucks 26; Does 58; Total 198
Dunklin — Antlered bucks 14; Button bucks 2; Does 15; Total 31
Stoddard — Antlered bucks 55; Button bucks 17; Does 55; Total 127
Wayne — Antlered bucks 111; Button bucks 19; Does 46; Total 176
The early youth season was for hunters ages 6 through 15.
Turkey
Top harvest counties during Missouri’s fall firearms turkey season were Franklin with 70 birds harvested, Gasconade with 52, and Laclede with 50.
Hunters harvested 1,836 birds during the 2021 fall firearms turkey season.
The figure was slightly lower statewide in 2021 compared to 2022, however our region saw a large increase, with 155 birds taken this year compared to 35 last year, according to early figures from MDC.
Area counties saw the following harvests, according to MDC:
Butler — Adult gobblers 5; Adult hens 4; Juvenile gobblers 2; Juvenile hens 6; Total 17 (2021 total - 0)
Carter — Adult gobblers 3; Adult hens 4; Juvenile gobblers 3; Juvenile hens 8; Total 18 (2021 total - 8)
Dunklin — no information provided (2021 total - 0)
Reynolds — Adult gobblers 2; Adult hens 5; Juvenile gobblers 2; Juvenile hens 4; Total 13 (2021 total - 2)
Ripley — Adult gobblers 4; Adult hens 4; Juvenile gobblers 0; Juvenile hens 6; Total 14 (2021 total - 0)
Stoddard — Adult gobblers 8; Adult hens 29; Juvenile gobblers 11; Juvenile hens 17; Total 65 (2021 total - 3)
Wayne — Adult gobblers 3; Adult hens 8; Juvenile gobblers 6; Juvenile hens 11; Total 28 (2021 total - 22)
MDC reminds Missouri turkey hunters to save and submit feathers from birds they harvest this fall for a research project that will improve its ability to estimate turkey abundance across Missouri. Interested hunters are asked to retain a wing and 3-5 feathers from the breast after Telechecking their turkey. They will then be mailed a feather submission packet, including a postage-paid return envelope to submit feathers at no cost. To receive a feather submission packet, register at mdc.mo.gov/turkeyfeathers.
Safety
McGuire said non-hunters out in hunting areas can also practice some safety measures. He and MDC offer these safety tips for non-hunters:
• Wear bright clothing to be more visible, such as a bright orange hat, jacket or pack.
• Place a bright orange vest or bandana on the canines who join you and keep them leashed.
• Avoid earth-toned or animal-colored clothing such as tan and brown.
• Be aware that hunters are often most active during the early morning and late afternoon, when game animals are most active. Be especially aware of your own visibility during these times when light is dim.
• Stay on designated trails. Trails are designed to improve the safety of public users and to protect sensitive habitats. Enjoying recreational activities only on designated trails will reduce the likelihood of entering hunting areas.
• Whenever venturing into the outdoors, let someone know where you are going and when to expect your return.
• Make yourself known. If you hear shooting, raise your voice, and let hunters know you are in the area.
• Be courteous. Once a hunter is aware of your presence, don’t make unnecessary noise to disturb wildlife. Avoid conflict.
• Identify hunting seasons and lands open to hunting. Learn where and when hunting is taking place. Plan your recreation activities based on this information. Find information on Missouri hunting seasons at mo.gov/hunting-trapping.
• Find conservation areas that allow hunting and those that do not by using the MDC Places to Go web feature at mo.gov/discover-nature/places.