OUTDOOR CORNER: MISSOURI DEER NUMBERS ON RECORD PACE

If you want to know exactly where you are, you will have to do two things. First, look back to see where you have been. Then, take a look ahead to see where you are going.

In looking back, we can retrace our steps to just eight days ago and the start of firearms deer hunting season in Missouri. Opening weekend (Nov. 11-12) saw a total of 110,191 deer checked statewide. That was an increase of 19,176 deer over 1994's opening weekend total of 91,015. The nine-day season in '94 saw a record 162,120 deer taken. It would appear that we are well on our way to shattering that record. Final figures for this year will not be available until after the close of the season next Tuesday (Nov. 21).

Southeast Missouri reported 5,143 deer taken during the first two days. That was an increase of 866 over 1994's opening weekend. Bollinger County led the area with 917 deer, Wayne County had 895 and Perry County checked 727. Cape Girardeau County reported 410 deer.

The following are the Southeast Missouri county deer-kill totals and the increase or decrease from 1994: Bollinger 917 (+143), Butler 569 (+132), Cape Girardeau 410 (+108), Dunklin 14 (-4), Iron 475 (+51), Madison 546 (+63), Mississippi 85 (+23), New Madrid 50 (+12), Pemiscot 6 (+2), Perry 727 (+87), Scott 124 (+30), Stoddard 325 (+59), Wayne 895 (+157).

In looking ahead, it's not too early to start thinking about Christmas and even next spring. Hunting and fishing permits are popular Christmas presents for outdoor enthusiasts. Those who plan to give 1996 hunting/fishing permits as presents need to be aware of some changes that will be going into effect.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will be converting to a point-of-sale system for permit distribution. We will discuss the details and advantages of this system in a future column. For the time being, hunters and fishermen should be aware of the fact that 1995 permits will be valid through Feb. 29, 1996. Beginning in 1996, the permit year will begin March 1, and run through the end of February the following year. 1996 permits will not be available until Feb. 1 1996, so be sure and retain your '95 permits until then.

Persons wishing to purchase 1996 permits for Christmas gifts might want to consider MDC Gift Certificates. The certificates can be give at Christmas and then redeemed after Feb. 1 for the appropriate permit.

To obtain gift certificates, you must complete an application form and forward it, along with the appropriate fee, to the address on the application form. A gift certificate will be sent to the purchaser, once the application has been processed.

To ensure timely delivery of the gift certificates for Christmas, applications should be received by Dec. 5, 1995. Application forms are available from the Southeast Regional Service Center, 2302 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

It is also time to look ahead to next spring. Applications for planting stock (tree seedlings) are now available. It is advisable to submit your order as soon as possible. All orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies are depleted. To obtain a recorded message concerning the kinds of trees that are still available to order, call the toll-free number 1-800-392-3111 after Dec. 1.

Prior to that date, applications for planting stock are available from the Regional Service Center at the above-listed address.

~Gene Myers is a Missouri Conservation Agent in Cape Girardeau County.