MDC: Firearms deer season opening weekend harvest 97,000+

Deer hunters in Missouri harvested more than 97,100 deer during the opening weekend of the 2015 November portion of fall firearms deer season, Nov. 14 and 15. Top harvest counties were Texas with 2,184 deer checked, Howell with 1,959 and Franklin with 1,899.

Texas, Howell, Franklin top-harvest counties. Harvest up from 2014 by 5,700+.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo. – Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 97,171 deer during the opening weekend of the November portion of fall firearms deer season, Nov. 14 and 15. Of the 97,171 deer harvested, 53,359 were antlered bucks, 10,320 were button bucks, and 33,492 were does.

Top harvest counties for opening weekend were Texas County with 2,184 deer checked, Howell County with 1,959 and Franklin County with 1,899.   

Last year, hunters checked 91,460 deer during the opening weekend of the 2014 November Portion of Firearms Deer Season.

The November portion of the fall firearms deer season continues through Nov. 24. Archery deer hunting opens again from Nov. 25 through Jan. 15, 2016. The firearms antlerless portion will run Nov. 25 through Dec. 6. The firearms alternative methods portion will run Dec. 19-29 followed by the firearms late youth portion Jan. 2-3, 2016. Missouri's early youth weekend ran Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The firearms deer urban zone portion ran Oct. 9 – 12.

Missouri offers some of the best deer hunting in the country and deer hunting is an important part of many Missourians' lives and family traditions. Deer hunting is also an important economic driver in Missouri and gives a $1 billion annual boost to the state and local economies.

For current, ongoing preliminary harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, visit the MDC website at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/. For harvest summaries from past years, visit huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/deer-harvest-reports/deer-harvest-summaries.

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MDC says deer collared for study can be harvested

St. Joseph, Mo. – The regular firearms white-tailed deer season opens Saturday, Nov. 14, and runs through Tuesday, Nov. 24. Hunters are reminded that they may encounter collared deer in some northwest Missouri counties. Those deer are part of a five-year research project to study deer population and movement. The study is conducted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the University of Missouri at Columbia.

    Hunters are encouraged to harvest collared deer as they normally would under state regulations. The study will include deer mortality, and hunter harvest is an important component of the study, said Emily Flinn, MDC deer biologist.

    “To keep the study accurate to what actually happens to the herd, we don’t want to alter what happens during deer hunting season,” Flinn said. “If a hunter sees a collared deer that they could legally, and would normally, harvest, they should still do so, even if it’s wearing a collar.”

      MDC crews last winter and spring captured and placed radio collars and ear tags on about 70 deer at locations in Nodaway, Gentry, Andrew and DeKalb counties. Then the deer were immediately released. Similar research is underway in a study area in the southern Missouri Ozarks.

    Deer populations have declined during the last 10 years in northwest Missouri. However, deer populations vary locally and not all areas have low numbers. Worth, Harrison and Mercer counties have continued to have stable deer harvest trends. Significant declines have occurred in Atchison, Buchanan, Clinton, DeKalb and Holt counties.

   Flinn attributes the declines to naturally occurring hemorrhagic disease outbreaks, previous liberalized harvest regulations due to high populations early in the 2000 decade, and land-use changes. An outbreak of hemorrhagic disease, sometimes call blue tongue, was severe in 2012 due to drought.

   This year, hemorrhagic disease has been locally moderate in Andrew and Platte counties. The disease is carried by a midge fly. Drought creates mud areas in stream edges where the midge fly can propagate, and dry conditions also concentrate deer near water sources. This year, rainy conditions in spring and early summer prompted flooding and created mud flats in crop fields when the water receded. Then drought struck in late summer and autumn. Cold weather will end problems from midge flies and hemorrhagic disease.

   Hemorrhagic disease is different from chronic wasting disease, which has been found in Adair, Linn, Macon and Cole counties in Missouri.

   Anyone finding a diseased deer is asked to report the location to their local conservation agent.

   Deer populations vary across the Kansas City region, Flinn said. The 2012 hemorrhagic disease outbreak also reduced deer numbers in the region in some locales. Deer numbers should begin to increase over the next few years with a more conservative antlerless deer harvest.

   Hunters wishing to boost deer numbers in areas where they hunt can voluntarily reduce the number of antlerless deer, or does, that are harvested.

   For information about deer management or the research project in Missouri, contact Flinn at emily.flinn@mdc.mo.gov or 573-815-7901, ext. 3619.

   Detailed information about deer hunting and regulations is available athttp://on.mo.gov/1OmlgHy.

   MDC also provides a free MO Hunting mobile app for digital devices athttp://mdc.mo.gov/mobile/mobile-apps/mo-hunting.

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Wisconsin Youth Deer Hunts

MADISON - Two special deer hunting opportunities continue to provide an excellent opportunity for youth and disabled hunters to experience the outdoors, learn from mentors, and create lasting relationships with landowners and friends throughout the state.

This year's youth hunt gave hunters ages 10-15 an opportunity to get a hands-on introduction to hunting with help from experienced adult hunters. One hunter in particular from Medford, Wis., Collin Rausch, and his father, Brandon Rausch, used the youth hunt to create lasting memories.

Before he got a look at what would be his first deer, the younger Rausch saw a porcupine wandering near his hunting blind. After a group of deer entered the area, he stayed patient and waited for the right opportunity to shoot with help from his dad.

"One thing I have always stressed with Collin is to wait for the right shot," said Brandon Rausch. "After about 10 minutes of patiently waiting, he chose his target and made a great shot."

Collin harvested his first deer, a doe, while learning an important lesson.

"Youth deer hunting weekend helps ensure that young hunters get the quality training they need for lifelong participation," said Adam Murkowski, DNR assistant big game ecologist.

For more information regarding youth hunting in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords "youth hunt."

Disabled Deer Hunt

More than 100 landowners in 46 counties enrolled their land in the 2015 disabled deer hunt, which ran from Oct. 3-11. The disabled hunt has continued to provide opportunities for disabled hunters to work closely with landowners to deer hunt in Wisconsin, and feedback from hunters and cooperators alike has been positive.

"The department remains grateful to the many landowners, organizations and volunteers who work hard to provide this high quality experience. Without their help and dedication these opportunities wouldn't be available to many hunters," said Murkowski.

Landowners interested in enrolling their property to host a disabled deer hunt in the future should do so by June 1, 2016. Assistance to disabled hunters and landowners may also be possible in certain parts of the state through organizations dedicated to enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities for disabled persons.

For more information, search the DNR website for keywords "disabled deer hunt."

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New deer registration rules in effect for the 2015 season in Wisconsin

MADISON--With the launch of the GameReg system and electronic registration, hunters now have until 5 p.m. the day after harvest to register a deer. This rule applies for all deer hunting seasons.

"Previously, hunters could register their deer by 5 p.m. the day after the close of the nine-day season, regardless of the date of harvest," said Matt O'Brien, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources administrative warden. "The new registration deadline is a bit of a change for 2015, so hunters should make sure they are up to speed before the nine-day gun deer hunt."

After tagging a harvested deer, hunters can visit gamereg.wi.gov or call 1-844-426-3734 to access the game registration system. Hunters may also register their deer electronically at a participating registration station. Upon completion, hunters will receive a 10-character confirmation number to write on the carcass tag as proof of registration. This tag should remain with the deer until the meat is consumed.

To help make sure hunters are ready for another nine-day deer hunt, the department will host a chat Nov. 16 at noon. Questions related to harvest registration, safety, regulations or any other deer season topic are welcome. To participate or view the transcripts for previous chats, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "chat."

Hunters may also find a variety of deer season materials, including season structure maps, frequently asked questions and helpful links at dnr.wi.gov, keyword "deer." To learn more about GameReg and electronic registration, search keywords "electronic registration."

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Deer Hunt Wisconsin 2015 helps set the stage for another exciting fall hunting season in Wisconsin

This November, hunters can tune in to Deer Hunt Wisconsin to make sure they are prepared for another exciting fall deer hunt.

Deer Hunt Wisconsin 2015 is the 24th annual hour-long special designed to help hunters prepare for the upcoming deer season. Host Dan Small will interview Wisconsin deer management experts to discuss changes to this year's hunt and offer helpful tips and tricks as hunters gear up and head out into the woods.

Deer Hunt Wisconsin 2015 will air on the following dates on the stations listed:

Thursday November 5

• Milwaukee Public Television - 9 p.m.
• Wisconsin Public Television Digital Wisconsin Channel - 9 p.m.
• WDSE Duluth/Superior - 9 p.m.
• WRPT Hibbing - 9 p.m.

Saturday, November 7

• Milwaukee Public Television - 9 a.m.

Sunday November 8

• WDSE Duluth/Superior - 4 p.m.
• WRPT Hibbing -4 p.m.

Thursday, November 12

• Fox Sports Wisconsin - 9:30 p.m.
• Fox Sports North - 9:30 p.m.

Friday, November 13

• Fox Sports Wisconsin - 3 p.m.
• Fox Sports North - 3 p.m.

Saturday, November 14

• Fox 47 Madison - 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Sunday, November 15

• Fox Sports Wisconsin - 9:30 a.m.
• Fox Sports North - 11 a.m.

Monday, November 16

• Fox Sports Wisconsin - 6 p.m.
• Fox Sports North - 6 p.m.

Stay tuned for additional viewing opportunities. For more information, visitdnr.wi.gov and search keywords "deer show." For more general information regarding this year's deer hunt, search keyword "deer."

Deer Hunt Wisconsin 2015 is a production of Dan Small Outdoors, LLC, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Michigan DNR reminds deer hunters of license structure

With Michigan's archery deer season in full swing and firearm season set to begin Nov. 15, the Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters of changes to the state's hunting license structure that took effect in 2014.

Available deer licenses include:

• Single deer license, valid throughout archery, firearm and muzzleloader seasons. This license has replaced the separate archery and firearm licenses. Hunters who buy a single deer license may not buy a second single deer license or the deer combo license.
  
• Deer combo license, which includes two kill tags, one regular and one restricted. Hunters who want two deer licenses must buy the deer combo license instead of the single deer license. The deer combo license is valid for use during the archery, firearm and muzzleloader seasons. A hunter can use both kill tags in the firearm seasons, both in the archery season or one in each season.
  
• Antlerless deer license, available based on license quotas set for each Deer Management Unit (DMU).

To see how the single deer and deer combo licenses may be used in each deer season, based on which DMU a hunter wishes to hunt, see the Antler Point Restriction Regulations map and chart on pages 32 and 33 of the 2015 Hunting and Trapping Digest.

A base license now is required for all hunters. The base license provides critical funding for habitat and conservation work on both public and private land and supports the work of conservation officers and field staff to ensure safe, legal hunting practices are followed. The purchase of a base license includes small game hunting. Whether they choose to hunt small game or not, hunters' base license dollars will be used to enhance and expand hunting opportunities, which benefits hunters of all species.

More information about Michigan’s hunting license structure – including license prices, frequently asked questions and details about how license dollars will be invested – is available atwww.michigan.gov/dnr under "In the Know."

For more details about hunting seasons, licenses and regulations, see the Hunting and Trapping Digest and Antlerless Deer Digest at www.mi.gov/dnrdigests.

Those who have questions or need help determining which licenses to buy may contact their nearest DNR Customer Service Center.

Related articles

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How to Quarter a Deer

Here is a quick video from Michigan DNR on how to quarter a whitetail deer...same principles apply to mule deer, elk, etc.