Outdoors digest

Deer hunters will benefit from changes, MDC says

Missouri deer hunters will have more days of hunting and may have to spend less on permits when the season begins in the fall.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has approved 2003 deer hunting regulations that increase the length of the firearms deer seasons by eight days. They cut the cost of antlerless-only deer hunting permits, more than doubled the number of management units in which bowhunters can buy antlerless-only archery hunting permits, and removed the cap on the number of such permits available in selected units.

The changes, MDC officials say, is because deer populations have exceeded the Conservation Department's targeted goals in some parts of the state. In urban areas and in parts of Missouri, deer have grown numerous enough to cause more deer-car accidents and complaints of damage to crops and suburban landscapes.

One of the adjustments made this year is to make it easier for hunters to kill more does. In 39 of the state's 59 management units, hunters will be able to buy as many antlerless-only second bonus permits as they want.

Among specific changes:

Resident landowners of five acres or more will be able to farm tag one deer of any sex or age without buying a permit, and in many units they will be able to buy bonus antlerless-only deer permits without buying an any-deer permit first.

In 39 management units, firearms hunters will be able to buy and fill as many second-bonus permits as they want.

Archers now can use antlerless-only permits in 50 units, up rom 24. Archers may buy and fill as many of these permits as they want.

The first of the five deer season segments begins Oct. 25, and the final segment ends Dec. 21. Archery season will end Jan. 15, 2004.

Free fishing encouraged statewide this weekend

Missourians will be allowed to fish without permits Saturday andSunday as part of the state's annual free fishing days.

The two days are designed by the MDC to attract more fishermen across the state.

Normal regulations, such as limits on the size and number of fish you can keep, remain in effect. Regulations are outlined in the MDC's Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, free at bait shops and other stores where fishing equipment is sold.

Details are at www.mdc. state.mo.us/fish/prospects.

-- From staff reports