Deer harvest numbers up; nine cited for hunting violations at Sunday checkpoint

It was a busy opening weekend of deer season for hunters and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Missouri hunters killed more than 90,000 deer in the first two days of firearms season. Meanwhile, agents with the Missouri Department of Conservation issued nine citations to Southeast Missouri hunters Sunday at a wildlife checkpoint in Cape Girardeau County.

The department, along with troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, set up their checkpoint on Highway 72, just beyond the intersection with Highway 34.

Candice Davis, media specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation southeast region, said the location of the checkpoint was ideal, because it allowed hunters to pull to the side and not block traffic while having their vehicle inspected.

The two agencies were checking hunters' vehicles to make sure any deer brought through were harvested legally. Agents were verifying that hunters used the correct permit and tagged and transported their deer according to Missouri law.

"Though most of our hunters in Missouri are ethical hunters, conservation agents are able to surprise a few poachers through the use of these checkpoints," Davis said.

Checkpoints are set up at locations throughout the region during deer hunting, waterfowl, dove and other small game seasons.

The nine citations issued were to hunters who possessed incorrect permits, who were over the harvest limit, possessed illegal deer or who failed to properly tag their kill.

Davis said she and the agents at the checkpoint thought the operation ran smoothly and appreciated the cooperation from the highway patrol.

"It was also encouraging to see so many people express their appreciation to the agents for their work to make sure deer hunting remains a safe and enjoyable opportunity in Missouri," Davis said.

The opening weekend harvest was 97,856 deer, up from last year's harvest of 86,202.

In the southeast region, Cape Girardeau County hunters checked in 713 deer. In Bollinger County 1,170 deer were harvested, and 1,007 were killed in Perry County. In Scott County, hunters harvested 185 deer.

Butler County hunters checked 542 deer, down slightly from last year's 565. Wayne County saw 1,118 deer checked, significantly below last year's opening weekend check of 1,587 deer. In Stoddard County, 455 deer were checked over the weekend, compared to 539 last year.

The season continues through Nov. 23, followed by a statewide muzzleloader season Dec. 18 to 28.

The highway patrol has a number of ongoing investigations as a result of traffic stops made at Sunday's checkpoint. Troopers issued tickets for failure to show insurance, driving with a suspended license, several registration violations, one felony drug arrest, one warrant arrest and 37 additional warnings.

Daily American Republic writer Paul Davis contributed to this report.