OUTDOOR CORNER: DEER PERMIT SALES COMMENCE JULY 1

Well, here we are at the end of June. It's summertime. Both temperatures and humidity are high. Outdoor activities are structured around the weather. Fishing trips are early-morning, late-evening affairs. The cool, crisp days of autumn seem so far away that we hardly give them a thought.

Missouri's firearms deer hunting season doesn't open until November 13, but now is the time to start thinking about it and making some plans. Deer hunting permits go on sale this Thursday, July 1.

Before you rush out to purchase a permit, you should know that there have been some changes made. The muzzleloading permit has been eliminated and there is a new youth deer and turkey hunting permit. Also, managed deer hunts now have their own permit.

Depending on where you plan to hunt, you may need to be aware of an August 15 deadline to apply for limited quota any-deer permits and managed deer hunts.

Let's start with any-deer permits and the quota system. Because does (female deer) produce next year's deer herd, the annual harvest of does is used to regulate herd size. The quota system allows for regulation of doe harvest.

Missouri is divided into 59 deer management units. Highways and rivers are easily-recognized unit boundaries. Deer population goals are set for each unit. A number (quota) of any-deer and bonus deer hunting permits are made available for each unit. Units with below-goal deer numbers have few permits available, thereby protecting does so deer numbers can increase. Units with above-goal deer numbers have many permits available to reduce doe numbers.

An any-deer hunting permit allows the hunter to take either one deer of any sex or age ("any deer") in the unit specified on the permit or one antlered deer statewide.

In many units there is no limit on the number of permits that can be sold ("open quota"); that is, all hunters who want to purchase permits can do so. However, in some units any-deer and bonus deer permits are limited or unavailable ("limited quota"). In limited quota units, a drawing is held.

Purchase open quota any-deer and bonus deer hunting permits from any permit vendor from July 1 until midnight November 7 (the Sunday before the Firearms Deer Season opens). Be sure to verify unit choice at time of purchase; units cannot be changed after purchase.

If you plan to hunt in a limited quota unit, you should purchase a regular firearms deer hunting permit no later than August 15, and tell the vendor that you want to apply for an Any-Deer Permit for a limited quota unit. Those drawn will be mailed a sticker to convert their firearms deer hunting permit to an any-deer permit.

As previously stated, the muzzleloading deer hunting permit has been eliminated. You no longer have to choose between hunting with a centerfire firearm during November or with a muzzleloading firearm during December. The muzzleloading firearms deer hunting permit has been eliminated because the firearms deer hunting permit is now valid for both methods.

The firearms deer hunting season is now composed of three segments, or portions: the November portion, the December muzzleloader portion, and the January extension portion.

As before, firearms deer hunting permits (regular bucks only, any-deer, and bonus deer) may be used to hunt during the November portion of the season using any legal method. However, if you do not fill your permits during November (or choose not to hunt in November), you may use your permits to hunt during the December muzzleloader portion of the season, but you are restricted to using muzzleloading methods.

The unit restriction still applies; that is, permits are valid only in the unit for which they are issued, except during the January extension portion of the season when any unfilled any-deer or bonus deer permit is valid in any unit that is open during the January extension. This change provides you with more hunting opportunity and greater flexibility in choosing when and how you hunt.

Another change in permits involves managed deer hunts. In the past, hunters were required to purchase a regular deer hunting permit to participate in managed deer hunts. In the past, hunters were required to purchase a regular deer hunting permit to participate in managed deer hunts.

For the 1999-00 season, only a managed deer hunting permit will be required for all managed deer hunts, except the Fort Leonard Wood hunt where an unfilled regular deer hunting permit will still be required. Separate bag limits have been established for each hunt, but the managed deer hunting permit allows taking the bag limit established for the hunt in which the hunter is drawn to participate.

Missouri offers several managed deer hunts for archery, muzzleloading, and modern firearms from October 1999 through January 2000. These hunts are part of the continuing effort to provide additional hunting opportunity through sound wildlife management practices. The number of hunters allowed to participate in each hunt is restricted to ensure safety and a quality hunting experience. Hunters are selected by random drawing.

All hunters selected in the random drawing must purchase a resident or nonresident managed deer hunting permit. Only the managed deer hunting permit is valid; no other deer hunting permit can be used at any managed deer hunt (except the Fort Leonard Wood hunt).

Hunters may take the number of deer allowed at the specific managed deer hunt for which they were drawn to participate. Some hunts allow one deer, others two, and some three. Deer taken at managed deer hunts do not count toward the hunter's season bag limit (except for deer taken at the Fort Leonard Wood hunt).

There is only one application card and one application period (July 1 thru August 15) for all managed deer hunts (except for youth-only hunts which have a special application card and the Fort Leonard Wood hunt). Hunters may apply for only one of the hunts listed on the application card.

Hunters may apply individually or as a party of up to six hunters. To hunt as a party, complete and mail one application card; do not send individual application cards for each party member. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by mail. If drawn, each group member will be notified to go to any permit vendor and purchase their managed deer hunting permit. Hunters whose names appear on more than one application card will be disqualified from the drawing.

Application cards are available at most Missouri Department of Conservation offices. All applications must be postmarked at a post office between July 1 and August 15, 1999; metered postmarks will not be accepted.

Deer taken at managed deer hunts do not count toward the season bag limit (except for deer taken at the Fort Leonard Wood hunt, which do count toward the season bag limit). Therefore, if you purchase regular deer hunting permits and fill them during the regular season, you may still participate and take deer at a managed deer hunt if you are drawn for one and purchase a managed deer hunting permit.

All hunters born on or after January 1, 1967, except for youths hunting with a youth deer & turkey hunting permit, must complete an approved Hunter Education program and display their card before they can purchase a firearms deer or turkey hunting permit. They do not have to show their card if certification can be verified through the he vendor's computer terminal.

A person must be at least 11 years old to receive Hunter Education certification. A Missouri conservation heritage card with a hunter education number is an acceptable Hunter Education certificate card. Those under age 11 cannot purchase regular firearms deer or turkey hunting permits.

Hunters under age 12 may now participate in deer and turkey hunting seasons by purchasing a youth deer and turkey hunting permit. The new permit, costing $15, allows youth hunters to take either one antlered deer statewide or one antlerless deer in any deer management unit, except Unit 57, during the fall firearms deer hunting season.

The permit also allows the youth hunter to take one turkey of either sex during the fall firearms turkey season. However, the youth must be in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult who has a valid Hunter Education certificate card (the youth is not required to have a Hunter Education certificate card). In all instances, the youth hunter must abide by appropriate season portion dates and methods. Note: Anyone purchasing a youth deer and turkey hunting permit may not purchase any other firearm deer or turkey hunting permits during that permit year.

For maps of unit boundaries and quota numbers, consult the `1999 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Information' brochure, available July 1, from permit vendors statewide.

Gene Myers is a Missouri Department of Conservation agent in Cape Girardeau County.