By Blake Jackson
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that hunters harvested 68,312 deer during the opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season, which ran from November 16th to 17th. This number falls short of last year's opening weekend total of 90,253 deer.
According to MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle, a combination of factors contributed to the decline in harvest.
“The calendar shifts this year put the November portion a week later than last year, which results in lower deer harvest,” said Isabelle. “The peak of the rut in Missouri occurs around Nov. 10. When the calendar shifts, it puts the opener about a week past peak rut when deer movement isn’t as high as it is earlier in the month.”
Another significant factor, according to Isabelle, was the abundance of acorns this year.
“Throughout much of Missouri, there are a lot of acorns in the woods this year,” said Isabelle. “When that happens, deer don’t need to move as much to find food and they frequent fields and other open areas less often, making them less visible to hunters.”
Isabelle noted that counties with the most significant harvest decline are located in heavily forested areas where acorns have a more substantial impact on deer movement.
Warm weather also played a role in the lower opening weekend harvest.
"Although the warm temperatures this weekend made it comfortable for hunters to be in the woods, it likely had an adverse effect on deer movement," Isabelle said, "Fortunately, there are cooler temperatures in the forecast for the latter half of the November portion, which should result in better hunting conditions."
The firearms deer season in Missouri continues with the November portion running through November 26th. This is followed by the CWD portion (November 27th – December 1st) in designated counties.
The season then progresses with the Late Youth portion (November 29th – December 1st), the Late Antlerless portion (December 7th – 15th) in open counties, the Alternative Methods portion (December 28th through January 7th, 2025), and finally, the archery deer season reopening from November 27th through January 15th, 2025.
Photo Credit: pexels-jim-fawns
Categories: Missouri, General