Hunters, shops getting ready for start of deer season

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Hunters are gearing up for deer season despite high ammunition prices and hard economic times.

"Archery season is already in and firearms deer season will be upon us pretty quick," said Leother Branch, Scott County conservation agent. The firearms season begins Nov. 14.

A second bow season will then begin Nov. 25 following the end of firearm season and run until Jan. 15, according to Branch.

"Archery hunters have really increased over the last 10 years," he said.

Branch said there typically are about 500,000 deer hunters who participate in the firearm season statewide and that he doesn't expect ammunition prices to change that.

"I don't think it will have an effect on the deer hunters at all," he said. "People may be shooting less but they will still go out and deer hunt."

The economy in general might change things slightly as "you get people tending to stay closer to home to hunt," Branch said.

As this is the first deer season for the Huntin Store in Bertrand, Mo., having opened in July, it is hard to tell what kind of effect if any the ammunition prices and economy are having on business, said owner Richard Kimball.

And with firearm deer season about a month away, it's "still a little early," Kimball said. "Most of them are waiting and buying right before it's time to go."

Kimball said his store has sold some rifles and scopes already, however.

"We sell a lot ammo, but it's kind of hit and miss right now because it's a little early for deer season," Kimball said. "There's a few calibers that we can't get, like for pistols, but most of our rifle ammunition is available. There's a few calibers that just aren't out there."

Kimball said he has been able to keep the most popular rounds available for deer hunters. "We've been doing pretty good," he said.

As for game, "the acorn crops have been good so the population of deer is really good in the state," Branch said. "In Southeast Missouri we seem to always maintain a pretty good deer population."

With all the agriculture in the area, Kimball said there was enough food for the deer to survive and plenty of cover to maintain a good, healthy population.

For information on limits, Branch advised hunters to contact the local conservation agent in the counties they are going to hunt in, as limits vary from county to county.

With the Conservation Department's Telecheck system, "once you harvest a deer you have to immediately tag it and then you have to call it in and check it in," Branch said. "You can phone it in or Internet check it."

Branch cautioned hunters to remain alert and careful while hunting deer.

"Safety is a very important part of the firearm hunting season," Branch said. "Be sure of your target and always point your muzzle in a safe direction."

Branch reminded hunters to wear the required fluorescent orange cap or hat and vest, coat or jacket.

For hunters using a tree stand, "make sure your firearm is unloaded when climbing the tree to your tree stand," Branch advised.