Missouri considers shortened deer hunting season

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation is considering a two-day reduction in the state's fall deer hunting season in an attempt to increase herd size.

The state agency proposes a nine-day fall firearms season each November starting in 2016. The current fall season lasts 11 days.

The conservation department also wants to reduce the length of the antlerless portion of the fall season from 12 days to three days, commencing in early December.

Other proposed changes include allowing crossbows for the fall archery hunts of deer and turkey.

A series of public meetings on the proposed changes are scheduled beginning later this month and into March in Blue Springs, Kirkwood, Springfield, West Plains, Cape Girardeau, Kirksville, Columbia and St. Joseph.

A.J. Hendershott, a regional supervisor with the outreach and education division of the Missouri Department of Conservation, said a meeting will be from 5 to 8 p.m. March 10 at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, where a biologist will share information.

The agency also will hear input on the proposed deer season firearm change.

He said the deer population in the southeast part of the state is considered steady and that the proposed change has more to do with population fluctuation in the north and west portions of Missouri.

Hendershott said the agency is proposing several changes, many of which will not affect Southeast Missouri.

It is unclear whether the proposed shortened firearm season would be in effect for the entire state or certain sections of the state.

Hendershott said the firearms deer season was extended to 11 days in 1995.