Business Notebook: Deer harvest numbers down in Missouri

Missouri hunters harvested about 250,790 deer throughout the various hunting seasons in 2013 -- down from the 10-year average of about 293,060, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Hunters checked about 50,500 deer during archery season, making the season's harvest the second-largest in Missouri's history.

The decrease in Missouri's deer harvest is "in line" with other Midwest states, said Jason Sumners, resource scientist with the department, in the release.

"Over the course of about 15 years, we were able to apply the brakes to deer population growth," he said. "Then came a perfect storm of conditions we had no way of anticipating."

The conditions included a severe drought that began in 2012 and continued into 2013, which caused the worst outbreak of hemorrhagic diseases in recorded history, the release said. The drought also caused the smallest acorn crop since the MDC began keeping records in 1960. The lack of acorns forced deer to move during the 2012 deer season, which helped it become the second-largest deer harvest in the state's history.

Because hunter behavior changes slowly, hunters continue to shoot the same number of deer as in recent years even after a die-off in deer caused by hemorrhagic disease, the release said. By the time hunters adjust their harvest behavior, a significant loss in deer population has accumulated.

The MDC Regulations Committee will consider the factors, as well as comments received from hunters, when drafting recommendations to the Conservation Commission regarding 2014 -- 2015 deer-hunting regulations, Sumners said.

"Blanket, one-size-fits-all answers aren't necessarily the right solutions," he said in the release. "But we want people to know that we are hearing their concerns and are committed to identifying ways to find the right balance."

Cape Farmers Market has a new location

The Cape Girardeau Farmers Market, which previously set up in the parking lot of the former Plaza Galleria in Cape Girardeau, will open in April at its new location -- the back parking lot of West Park Mall, according to market manager Marilyn Peters.

The market will operate on Thursdays from early to mid-April until before Thanksgiving. The market will run from noon to 6 p.m., she said.

Business Roundup

* A business license application was filed for Buona Pizza, 2148 William St., Suite A, in Cape Girardeau. The restaurant opened Thursday and it serves pizza and salads.

* A business license application was filed for Invictus Strength Training LLC, 204 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, a personal training facility.

* A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Thursday to celebrate the opening of Elite Pest Control, 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

Mingo Job Corps to take part in Groundhog Job Shadow Day

Mingo Job Corps Center will take part in Groundhog Job Shadow Day on Feb. 3, according to a news release from Missouri Outreach, Admissions and Career Transitions Services, 2711 Thomas Drive, Suite 104, in Cape Girardeau.

The center will join thousands from across the country to "introduce students to the workplace and demonstrate the connection between academics and careers," the release said. The event has been happening since 1999.

Mingo Job Corps will join students, businesses and community members from the Puxico, Mo., Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Dexter, Mo., areas that day as students are paired with "workplace mentors" to help provide workplace experience for students.

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