OUTDOOR CORNER: DEER SEASON OPENS SATURDAY

The first portion of Missouri's firearms deer hunting season begins on Saturday, Nov. 11, and runs through Nov. 21.

The December muzzleloader portion runs Dec. 2-10. The January extension runs Jan. 6-9, 2001 (only in Units #1 through 17, 20, 22, 23, 24, 58, and 59).

Last year, hunters checked 175,925 deer statewide during the November portion of the season. The sixteen counties that comprise the southeast region of Missouri accounted for 11,517 of that total.

Bollinger County led the way with a total of 1,491. Second place went to Ste. Genevieve County with 1,327. Perry and St. Francois counties were next with 1,249 and 1,160 deer respectively. Other counties and their totals: Wayne (1,234), Butler (919), Madison (884), Iron (882), Cape Girardeau (652), Stoddard (610), Reynolds (509), Scott (229), Mississippi (154), Dunklin (93), New Madrid (92) and Pemiscot (32).

As previously stated, the firearms deer hunting season is now composed of three segments, or portions: November, the December muzzleloader and the January extension. As before, firearms deer hunting permits (bucks only, any-deer and bonus deer) may be used to hunt during November using any legal method.

However, if you do not fill your permits during November, you may use your permits to hunt during the December muzzleloader, 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 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 provides you with more hunting opportunity and greater flexibility in choosing when and how you hunt.

Again this year, you do not have to choose between hunting with a centerfire firearm during November or with a muzzleloading firearm during December. The muzzleloading deer permit has been eliminated because the firearms deer permit is now valid for both methods.

Hunters under age 12 may participate in deer and turkey hunting seasons by purchasing a youth deer and turkey hunting permit. The permit, costing $15 and available to hunters under age twelve (12), allows youth hunters to take either one antlered deer statewide or one anterless deer in any deer management unit except Unit 57 during the fall firearms deer hunting season. However, the youth must be in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult who has a valid hunter education certificate card.

Except, as noted above, all hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, 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 vendor's computer terminal.

Unlike previous years, deer hunting permits may be purchased through Jan. 9.

Firearms bucks-only permits can be purchased through Dec. 10. Bucks-only permits are not valid during the January extension.

Immediately after harvest, hunters must notch their permit and attach a separate transportation tag to the game.

Anyone who kills a deer or turkey must immediately validate the harvest by notching their permit and attaching a transportation tag containing their full name and address, to the game. The transportation tag must remain attached until the animal has been checked by the hunter (taker) at an established checking station. Only the taker may possess and transport deer and turkey before checking at an established checking station.

Deer must be submitted for checking with head attached by the hunter in the county where taken or in an adjoining open county between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day taken.

Other regulations that hunters should be aware of include:

* Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

* During all three portions of the firearms deer season, deer hunters must wear a hat and a shirt, vest or coat of hunter orange so that the color is plainly visible from all sides while being worn. Camouflage orange does not satisfy this requirement. Deer may not be taken with the use of dogs, bait, recorded calls, or live decoys.

* Dogs may not be used or possessed while hunting or pursuing deer. Bait includes grain or other feed placed or scattered so as to attract deer or turkeys. Scents and minerals, including salt, are not considered bait. An area is considered baited for ten (10) days even after complete removal of the bait. A hunter can be in violation even is he or she did not know an area was or is baited. It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes other to be in violation of the baiting rule.

* Deer and turkeys may not be pursued or taken from or with a motor-driven vehicle (such as a car, ATV, tractor, or aircraft). Deer may not be taken while they are in a stream or other body of water, or from any boat with a motor attached.

* During the November portion of the firearms deer season, other wildlife may be hunted only with a shotgun and shot not larger than No. 4. However, this does not apply to waterfowl hunters, trappers, landowners on their own land, or lessees on land they lease and live on.

For complete details on firearms deer hunting in Missouri, consult the "2000 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting" brochure available from permit vendors statewide.

Everyone at MDC hopes that you have safe, enjoyable deer season.

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