Missouri youth top 10,000 deer during special season

The Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Child hunters killed 10,860 deer last weekend during a special youth firearms season, the Department of Conservation said Thursday.

The deer kill by hunters ages 6 to 15 was down from last year's record of 13,466 but still was the second-highest total since the youth season began in 2001, the department said.

The youth deer kill makes up about 4 percent of Missouri's annual deer harvest. The state's general firearms deer season runs Nov. 12 to 22.

Conservation Department scientist Lonnie Hansen said this year's large acorn crop could make it more difficult for hunters of all ages to find deer. When deer have an abundant food source they don't have to wander as much.

Youth in Osage County killed 264 deer, the most of any county. Other top counties in the youth hunt included Callaway with 234 deer, Macon with 222, Franklin with 219, and Pike with 218.