State taking applications for managed deer hunts

The Missouri Department of Conservation will begin taking applications July 1 for managed deer hunts in fall and winter.

More than 5,100 slots are available in about 100 hunts, according to a news release from the department.

The hunts will take place from mid-September through mid-January at conservation areas, national wildlife refuges, state parks and other areas, and will consist of archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, historic methods and modern firearms hunts, the release said.

In Southeast Missouri, managed hunts are scheduled to take place at Otter Slough Conservation Area in Stoddard County, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Stoddard and Wayne counties, Peck Ranch Conservation Area in Carter and Shannon counties and Ozark National Scenic Riverways-Big Spring area in Carter County, according to mdc.mo.gov.

Youth hunts and hunts for people with disabilities also will be available.

Seventeen hunts will be held for disabled hunters. Hunters confined to a wheelchair may apply for more than one managed hunt at select conservation areas with a written request by July 31, according to the release. Those requests should be mailed to Missouri Department of Conservation, Attn: Managed Deer Hunts, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.

Disabled-only hunts in Southeast Missouri will take place at Mingo, Wappapello Lake in Wayne County and Clearwater Lake in Wayne and Reynolds counties.

Hunter-education-certified youths age 11 to 15 by the date of the desired youth hunt may apply individually or with one other youth, the release said. A qualified adult mentor must accompany them on the hunt.

One hunt for disabled youths will be at Mingo, the department's website said.

All other hunters may apply for only one managed hunt per year, individually or as groups of up to six. First-time applicants or hunters who were drawn the previous year are statistically less likely to be drawn than applicants who entered but were not drawn for previous hunts, according to the release.

All applicants will need their nine-digit Conservation ID number to complete the application, the release said.

The application period runs July 1 through 31. To apply, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/11252. Drawing results will be posted at the website Sept. 1 through Jan 15. Applicants who are drawn will receive maps and other information by mail.

Participants in managed hunts are required to have managed deer-hunting permits. The permits will be available starting Sept. 1 from permit vendors, online at mdc.mo.gov/node/10901 or through the Department of Conservation's free mobile app, MO Hunting, the release said.

More information on the required hunter education options and classes is available at mdc.mo.gov/node/3095.

For other details on managed hunts, visit mdc.mo.gov.

kwebster@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

Jefferson City, MO