Early birds can get a chance at prizes

You don't have to look at a calendar to determine that it's summertime. Now is the time to start making plans for Missouri's deer hunting seasons.

Permits are on sale Thursday.

Archery deer and turkey season opens Sept. 15. Opening dates for the five segments of firearms season range from Oct. 8 (urban portion) to Dec. 11 (anterless portion).

Hunters who obtain their permits early will have a chance to win a lifetime hunting and fishing permit. In partnership with the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, the Missouri Department of Conservation is offering an incentive for resident Missouri deer hunters to avoid last-minute crowds at permit vendors by awarding the following prizes:

Two winners will be awarded a lifetime conservation partner permit, which is good for the life of the permit holder and valid for small game and migratory bird hunting, fishing and trout privileges.

Five other winners will be awarded a framed print of a wildlife scene.

Everyone who buys any resident firearms deer hunting permit by Nov. 5 is automatically registered. Missouri landowners and lessees who pick up their no-cost resident landowner deer hunting permits by this deadline also are eligible to win. Winners will be announced Dec. 1. The drawing is open to Missouri residents only.

The upcoming seasons contain a number of regulation changes. To assess the interest in possible changes to deer regulations, the Conservation Department conducted a series of public meetings throughout Missouri.

Five deer herd management options were presented for discussion. In addition to those who attended meetings, 2,901 written opinions were tallied. The department also conducted broad-based, random surveys of deer hunters and farming landowners to gauge the thoughts of those who could not attend the public meetings. Although each option has support, antler-point restrictions enjoys the most support.

The 2004 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Brochure contains a great deal of information.

Here are some of the high points:

Deer management boundaries will follow county lines (management units have been eliminated).

24-hour checking for all deer and turkey hunters who may check in any open county. All deer and turkey must be checked. Most deer hunters must check their deer at an official checking station.

Qualifying landowner and lessee deer hunters and all fall firearms turkey hunters may report their game by telephone or on the Internet. All other hunters must go to an official checking station.

"Farm Tags" are no longer valid. For qualifying resident landowners and lessees of 5 or more acres, no-cost deer and turkey hunting permits are available at all permit vendors from July 1 through Jan. 15. You will need to know the county in which your property is located and the number of acres. Landowner permits also are available from the department's Jefferson City office.

The regulation change that seems to generate the most interest deals with antler-point restrictions. In 29 designated counties, a buck must have at least one antler with a minimum of four points. Consult the regulations brochure for complete details.

Gene Myers is an agent with the Missouri Department of Conservation.