U.P. Focus: DNR launches ‘Keep the U.P. CWD Free!’ campaign in the Upper Peninsula

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has launched a public information and education campaign to try to keep chronic wasting disease from reaching the Upper Peninsula.

Discovered earlier this year in free-ranging deer in the Lower Peninsula, CWD affects the central nervous system and is fatal to white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. There is no known treatment.

DNR officials are concerned CWD could be brought into the U.P. by those hunting in other states.

From billboards and bumper stickers to an informational fact sheet and television and radio broadcasts, the DNR is working to inform the public about preventing CWD from occurring in the U.P.

“This is an insidious disease and it’s going to take partnership by all people concerned — hunters, DNR and other folks — to make sure that not only do we not get it, but if we ever do get it, that we don’t spread this disease across the peninsula,” said Terry Minzey, DNR U.P. regional wildlife supervisor in Ishpeming. “It can have long-term ramifications on our deer herd. While it may not impact us, it will certainly have impacts on our grandchildren.”

Chronic wasting disease first was discovered in Colorado in 1967. Mutated prions form small lesions in the brains of animals that cause death. In bovines, mutated prions can produce mad cow disease. There are no known CWD health risks to humans.

The disease may be spread by animal-to-animal contact. It also may be transmitted by contact with saliva, urine, feces, blood, carcass parts of an infected animal or soil.

CWD first was detected in Michigan in 2008 in a white-tailed deer at a privately owned cervid (deer, elk, moose) facility in Kent County.

In May 2015, a free-ranging white-tailed deer in Ingham County’s Meridian Township tested positive for CWD. A second CWD case — a 2-year-old male wild deer — was detected in July. In August, CWD was found in a 5-year-old doe. All three of those deer were located within a mile of each other.

Subsequent genetic testing showed all three infected deer were from the same family. The DNR andMichigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development set up a nine-township Core Area and a three county Management Zone around the area of the infected deer, placing various restrictions in effect.

Since then, more than 1,500 deer have been tested with no further cases of CWD discovered.

“Chronic wasting disease is a devastating disease and fatal, not only for the individual deer that contracts it, but also it’s devastating for a deer herd,” said Ashley Autenrieth, DNR deer program biologist in Gaylord. “That is why we are working so hard in southern Michigan right now to determine whether or not the disease has been established there. And if so, we will work just as hard to attempt to eradicate the disease.”

Dave Dragon, a DNR wildlife technician at the Crystal Falls office, worked previously in Wyoming, the place with the highest incidence of CWD in the world.

“In deer herds in which CWD is found, the herd usually ends up being dominated by 2 ½-year-olds and younger,” Dragon said. “This is due to the fact that deer that are infected with CWD rarely live beyond 2 ½-years old. This ends up being really problematic when you consider that up to around half of the deer population can be infected with CWD. So the effect is profound.”

Signs of CWD in deer include loss of body condition or emaciation, changes in behavior (including a loss of fear of humans), loss of bodily control or movements or excessive drooling and salivating.

Hunting generates more than $2.3 billion annually for Michigan’s economy. A healthy deer population is critical to the state’s economy. Last year in the U.P., more than 84,000 hunters harvested a total of 25,961 deer, including 19,431 antlered bucks.

Confirmed cases of CWD have been found in 23 states and two Canadian provinces. Hunters hunting in those areas could bring CWD back with them to the U.P., unless importation rules are followed.

Wisconsin officials have confirmed CWD cases just 75 miles from Menominee and 115 miles from Ironwood.

The Michigan DNR has erected billboards near the Michigan-Wisconsin border at Menominee, Norway and Ironwood, urging hunters who hunt out of state to know the facts about CWD and know the rules.

“To keep CWD from reaching the U.P., hunters need to educate themselves and they need to help educate others,” said John Pepin, DNR deputy public information officer in Marquette. “There are restrictions on bringing deer back to the U.P. from infected states and provinces, and dangers for the U.P. deer herd if these rules are not followed.”

The DNR has a great deal of educational information about CWD, including a fact sheet specific to the U.P. and information for taxidermists on the state’s Emerging Diseases Issues website atwww.michigan.gov/cwd.

The information sheets and “Keep the U.P. CWD Free!” bumper stickers will be available from DNR offices and deer check stations across the region.

An upcoming broadcast of WNMU-TV13’s “Media Meet” will focus on CWD and keeping it from the U.P. The program initially will air at 6:30 p.m. EST Dec. 5 and be rebroadcast at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and in January 2016.

Guests on the half-hour program include Autenrieth, Minzey, Dragon and Pepin.

The broadcast will reach viewers across the U.P. and parts of northern Wisconsin. A week after the initial broadcast, the television program will be available online at http://wnmuvideo.nmu.edu/program/media-meet/.

Public Radio 90 also will air the program at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 6, repeating at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The program also will be available on Public Radio 90’s podcast at http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wnmu/.jukebox?action=programs.

Information on the education campaign also will be distributed to the DNR’s eastern and western U.P. Citizens’ Advisory Councils. The eastern advisory council formed a CWD subcommittee in April 2014 and produced a fact sheet of its own to distribute to various groups.

“It was thought and hoped that the formation of this group would help the general public become informed as well,” said subcommittee chairman Tom Buckingham of Newberry. “Many of us on the subcommittee were keenly aware of the fact that once CWD arrives, it is virtually impossible to get rid of it.”

Buckingham warned of potential grave consequences.

“Due to the complexities of the U.P. deer herd — migration, supplemental feeding, predators — if CWD arrives, it could very well mean the end of deer hunting in the U.P. as we now know it,” he said.

Buckingham said the best offense is to raise public awareness on deer-handling procedures and other concerns, and try to keep infected animals from being brought to the U.P. from outside the state.

For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/cwd.

Michigan Deer hunters, don’t forget to apply for Pure Michigan Hunt

The Department of Natural Resources reminds deer hunters, while buying their deer licenses this year, to take a moment to purchase Pure Michigan Hunt applications, because there is still plenty of time to make 2016 the hunt of a lifetime.

Applications are on sale until Dec. 31, and three winners will be randomly drawn in January 2016. Applications are $5 each, in unlimited quantities, and can be purchased at any license agent or online atE-License.

Pure Michigan Hunt winners receive licenses including elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, and antlerless deer and first pick at a managed waterfowl hunt area, all to be used in the 2016 hunting season. Along with the hunting licenses, each winner will receive a hunting prize package valued at more than $4,000.

All three Pure Michigan Hunt winners have the flexibility to hunt many different places.

“Life gets very busy, but because of the Pure Michigan Hunt’s ‘golden ticket,’ all three winners have the ability to pick and choose hunt areas and times so they are able to work these hunts into their everyday lives,” said Jordyn Richardson, DNR wildlife technician. “They also have the option to transfer a license to someone else.”

Visit www.michigan.gov/pmh for more information and to purchase applications.

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Help Protect Mid-MO Deer from Chronic Wasting Disease

The northeastern counties of Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph, and Sullivan highlighted in gray show the Missouri Department of Conservation’s original CWD management area in and around where chronic wasting disease was first discovered in Linn and Macon counties. The central Missouri counties of Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, and Osage, and the northeastern counties of Knox, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, and Putnam highlighted in brown show MDC’s expanded, current CWD management area in and around where the disease was later confirmed in Cole and Adair counties.

MDC needs help from hunters and landowners in central Missouri, lifts antler-point restriction and increases antlerless harvest in key counties.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is asking deer hunters and landowners in central Missouri to help limit the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) -- a disease fatal to deer -- through some Department recommendations and regulation changes.

The Department’s focus on Mid-Missouri comes after a buck harvested in Cole County last year tested positive for the deadly disease. The disease has also been found in several dozen deer from Linn, Macon, and Adair counties.

MDC considers 15 counties around Adair, Cole, Linn, and Macon to be at high risk for the spread of the disease. The 19 counties therefore comprise the Department’s CWD management zone. The eight central-Missouri counties are: Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, and Osage. The 11 northeast counties are: Adair, Chariton, Knox, Linn, Macon, Putnam, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, and Sullivan.

RECOMMENDATIONS

MDC strongly encourages hunters in the 19 counties to: not move deer carcasses out of the area where harvested, not feed deer, have harvested deer tested for CWD, and report sick deer to local MDC staff.

The disease can be spread to new areas and infect additional deer through infected carcass parts or soil contaminated by infected carcass parts. MDC recommends removing meat in the field and leaving the carcass behind. If hunters must move a carcass before processing, place the remaining carcass parts after processing in trash bags and properly dispose of them through a trash service or landfill.

CWD is also transmitted from deer to deer and can spread more easily when deer gather in unnaturally concentrated numbers, such as at feeding sites or mineral blocks. MDC has a regulation in place for Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph, and Sullivan counties that bans the feeding of deer or placing of mineral blocks.

Hunters can take harvested deer – or just the head with at least four inches of the neck attached -- to participating sampling locations to have a tissue sample removed and tested for CWD. Testing is free and hunters can also receive test results for their harvested deer. Sampling locations can be found in the Department’s 2015 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, or on the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/CWDtesting.

REGULATIONS CHANGES

The related regulation changes remove the antler-point restriction (APR) in the 19 counties of the MDC CWD management zone so young bucks are no longer protected from harvest. Young bucks can potentially spread the disease to new areas as they search for territories and mates.

The regulation changes also increase the availability of firearms antlerless permits from 1 to 2 in the 19 counties. These additional harvest opportunities can help prevent undesired population increases in local deer numbers, which can potentially spread the disease.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

Chronic Wasting Disease infects only deer and other members of the deer family by causing degeneration of brain tissue, which slowly leads to death. The disease has no vaccine or cure and is 100-percent fatal.

"There is no way to fully eradicate chronic wasting disease from an area once it has become well established," explained MDC State Wildlife Veterinarian Kelly Straka. "While we do not expect short-term population impacts from the disease, CWD is likely to have serious long-term consequences to the health of Missouri's deer herd. Therefore, we have and will continue to focus on slowing the spread of the disease among deer in the affected areas, and trying to limit the spread to new areas of the state."

DEER HUNTING DATES

About 80 percent of Missouri deer hunters take their harvest during the fall firearms portion of deer season, which runs Nov. 14-24. Archery deer hunting continues through Nov. 13 and opens again from Nov. 25 through Jan. 15, 2016. The firearms antlerless portion will runNov. 25 through Dec. 6. The firearms alternative methods portion will run Dec. 19-29followed 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.

VALUE OF DEER HUNTING

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. The continued spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in Missouri could reduce future hunting and wildlife-watching opportunities for Missouri's nearly 520,000 deer hunters and almost two million wildlife watchers. Deer hunting is also an important economic driver in Missouri and gives a $1 billion annual boost to the state and local economies. For more information on Chronic Wasting Disease, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov.

Deer Rutting Activity Seen Ahead of Oklahoma Gun Season

Saturday is the day many tens of thousands of Oklahoma hunters have been anticipating all year. Deer gun season will open a half-hour before official sunrise Nov. 21. Based on field reports from each region of the state, hunters should have plenty of opportunities in the deer woods during the season.
    Reports from this past weekend indicate that rutting activity was increasing in most areas. Deer were being observed moving more during daylight hours. And bucks have been seen chasing and tending does.
    Erik Bartholomew, big-game biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, said the weather forecast seems to be cooperating for deer gun hunters this year.
    "Cooler weather is expected to arrive this weekend and hang on through the first week of deer gun season. The deer ought to be feeding later in the mornings and moving earlier in the evenings, providing more time for hunters to see deer movement and have a chance to fill their deer license."
    Deer gun season will be open Nov. 21 to Dec. 6 statewide.
    So far, the 2015 deer harvest is running behind last year's numbers, based on preliminary data from the Wildlife Department's online E-Check System. Bartholomew cited a fall that was warmer than usual, along with ample natural food and water resources and good habitat conditions, as factors contributing to a lower overall deer harvest this year.
    Archery hunters have checked in about 16,130 deer, a pace slightly behind last year's harvest of just over 17,000 at this time. Deer archery season remains open through Jan. 15, 2016.
    Youth deer gun hunters checked about 3,595 deer for the Oct. 16-18 season. That number is 16 percent lower than last year's youth deer gun harvest of 4,277. Muzzleloader deer hunters checked 13,306 deer this year, which is 11 percent lower than last year's 14,927.
    Now, for the hunters planning their opening-day outing in the deer woods, here are the up-to-date regional rut reports from Wildlife Department field personnel.

SOUTHEAST REGION
By Dakota Christian, wildlife biologist, and Joe Hemphill, regional supervisor

CURRENT BUCK RUTTING ACTIVITY: Rutting activity is picking up and should be in full swing by gun season.  Some bucks are chasing already, but most are on the move at all hours in search of does. Bucks are starting to scrape more heavily and more rubs are starting to show up in areas more frequently. Bucks are being seen throughout the day. The rut hasn't peaked but could be in full swing with the slightest cold front.
HABITAT CONDITIONS: Habitat is great with more food on the ground than in recent years. Lots of acorns, persimmons and beautyberries. Does are hitting acorns pretty hard. Creeks and river bottoms have an abundance of acorns and are great areas to begin scouting.
WHAT HUNTERS, LANDOWNERS ARE SAYING: Lots of acorns and rut seems to have started.  Some hunters have reported seeing and harvesting mature bucks chasing does and others are seeing lots of does but no rutting activity. Lots of small bucks are chasing pretty good and some big bucks are being seen tending does. I saw a huge 9-point on the last Saturday of muzzleloader season with a doe, and he was right behind her every step she took.
OPEN WMAs IN THE AREA: The two largest, Ouachita WMA and Three Rivers WMA, offer lots of area and a good deer population. Also open are Honobia Creek, Broken Bow, Gary Sherrer, Atoka, Stringtown, Wister, Hugo, Pine Creek, Gaines Creek and Yourman. Three Rivers and Honobia Creek WMAs would be perfect places for someone wanting to gun hunt. Their large size makes it easy to get away from hunters and the WMAs have a great deer population not to mention a great buck to doe ratio (1:2). Hunters can experience the hunt of a lifetime in the rugged timberlands and have a great chance of seeing a deer of a lifetime.
BEST TIPS FOR DEER HUNTERS: Stay in your stand. Focus on hardwood areas with thick cover nearby. White oaks should be the first place to look because they are still dropping acorns heavily. Post oaks and red oaks are also loaded with acorns and could be great areas to scout. Hunters in mature pine plantations should focus on hunting halfway up the sides of ridges. When bucks are searching for does, they will travel halfway down the sides, paralleling the ridges to try to bust up bedded does.
BIGGEST MISTAKES TO AVOID: Getting out of the stand too quickly and walking around. Focus on wind direction and play the wind to your favor. Don't just hunt for a couple of hours; big bucks like to move midday during the rut. Be as quiet as possible while approaching your hunting spot.
OPENING MORNING EXPECTATIONS: Recent rains have cleared some foliage, so visibility in the woods will be better. If we get cooler weather, hunters should expect a great opening morning. Hunters should expect to see good rutting activity during opening weekend of gun season.

*** *** ***
CENTRAL REGION
By Jeff Pennington, regional supervisor

CURRENT BUCK RUTTING ACTIVITY:Rutting activity is currently high.
HABITAT CONDITIONS: The region had a very wet early summer, which created an abundance of natural foods. Where oaks are present, acorns are abundant. The windstorm last week placed a tremendous amount of acorns and persimmons on the ground where these species are present. The southern one-third of the region was very wet in early summer but exceptionally dry in mid- to late summer. Cover in the southern counties is not as thick as in the northern two-thirds of the region. The late-summer drought did not reduce mast production much in the south-central. While it was dry early, recent rainfall has promoted growth of wheat, an important food resource in parts of the region.
WHAT HUNTERS, LANDOWNERS ARE SAYING: Hunters are reporting buck activity increased a great deal the last days of October. Buck rutting activity has continued to increase through mid-November. Some hunters are seeing a few does that aren't being chased by bucks. Does and fawns do not need to move much for food due to abundant acorns.
OPEN WMAs IN THE AREA: Kaw WMA always produces the highest deer harvest in the region. Other WMAs that offer good opportunity in the north-central are Keystone, Skiatook, Heyburn, and the public hunting area portion of Okmulgee. In the south-central, WMAs around Lake Texoma that provide opportunity include Washita Arm, Hickory Creek, Fobb Bottom and Love Valley. Tishomingo WMU also provides a place to pursue deer.
BEST TIPS FOR DEER HUNTERS: With the abundant food resources in most areas, deer will not be drawn to food plots and feeders like they were during the drought years. Deer will also be harder to spot due to the thick herbaceous cover. Last week's windstorm removed most of the leaves from the deciduous trees, which should assist hunters with visibility. Hunters may have better luck catching bucks moving through funnels instead of using food resources. Hunters may want to try oak timber instead of food plots and feeders.
BIGGEST MISTAKES TO AVOID:
1. Underestimating deer sense of smell. Try to stay as scent-free as possible, and always consider wind direction when hunting.
2. Getting up from stand location too soon. Stay in the stand as long as possible. Many good bucks are taken at midday.
3. Moving too much. Pick a stand selection for the hunt period and stick to it. Moving around will often result in spooked deer in your area.
OPENING MORNING EXPECTATIONS: The deer rut will still be active but just past peak in most portions of the region. If weather cooperates, hunters should do well.

*** *** ***
NORTHEAST REGION
By Mike Plunkett, senior biologist

CURRENT BUCK RUTTING ACTIVITY: Mature bucks are showing some pre-rut activity, with smaller bucks being seen a little more often chasing or searching for does.
HABITAT CONDITIONS: Conditions are great in the northeast due to abundant rainfall through summer. The acorn crop is very abundant nearly region-wide. Persimmons are also plentiful.
WHAT HUNTERS, LANDOWNERS ARE SAYING: They are seeing smaller bucks chasing or searching for does.
OPEN WMAs IN THE AREA: Fort Gibson, Copan, Hulah Public Hunting Areas open first nine days but closed to antlerless harvest. Cherokee PHA is closed to antlerless harvest, McClellan-Kerr PHA is open. Hunters should check each area regulation before going hunting on these areas. Any PHA should be considered, especially through the week when pressure is lighter.
BEST TIPS FOR DEER HUNTERS: Do your scouting and homework before going afield. The Oklahoma Wildlife Management Area Atlas would be a great start in looking over each area. Find good ridges and draws that are near food sources and bedding areas.
BIGGEST MISTAKES TO AVOID: Not knowing the lay of the land, not studying where food and bedding sources are, and not knowing the weather forecast, especially wind speed and direction.
OPENING MORNING EXPECTATIONS: The weather looks to be great for opening day and weekend. Hunters should plan on staying in the field all day. With the rut activity picking up, bucks could be out cruising any time of the day.

*** *** ***
NORTHWEST REGION
By Eddie Wilson, senior biologist

CURRENT BUCK RUTTING ACTIVITY: Buck rutting activity has been increasing over the past week, it will likely peak during the next few days.
HABITAT CONDITIONS: Habitat conditions are good. Rainfall throughout summer months has led to plenty of forage and cover for deer. Wheat is in good condition, and since most of the region has yet to experience a hard freeze, native food sources are still available.
WHAT HUNTERS, LANDOWNERS ARE SAYING: Hunters reported seeing mature bucks chasing does this past weekend in Woodward and Harper counties. Deer numbers are still low throughout the region. According to hunters and landowners alike, a good estimate would be around 50 percent of the population we had in 2010, with numbers being even lower the farther west.
OPEN WMAs IN THE AREA: Consult the "Oklahoma Hunting" regulations guide for regulations specific to the wildlife management area you want to hunt prior to entering the area. Most WMAs in the northwest are only open during the first nine days of deer gun season. All WMAs are closed to doe hunting except the areas hosting controlled hunts. Note that Canton and Beaver River WMAs are controlled hunts only on opening weekend. Beaver River WMA is closed to all deer gun hunting after controlled hunts the opening weekend. Cooper and Fort Supply are only open the first nine days of deer gun season to bucks only. Cimarron Hills, Cimarron Bluff and Drummond Flats are all closed to deer gun hunting.
BEST TIPS FOR DEER HUNTERS:
1. Scout the area as much as possible. Try to learn travel routes to and from bedding areas, food sources and water.
2. Be prepared to stay in the field as long as possible to increase your odds of seeing a buck.
3. Find a good food source to hunt. If you can locate the does, a buck may be close behind.
BIGGEST MISTAKES TO AVOID:    
1. Know the regulations: Hunters get cited every year for not reading the regulations before they go hunting, especially on WMAs.
2. Be prepared: Sight-in your rifle, have the right clothes for the weather, have all the tools needed to properly field dress and remove your deer from the field. Deer carts are often a must-have piece of equipment on WMAs.
3. Be patient and try not to move around a lot. Get to your spot early and stay put.
OPENING MORNING EXPECTATIONS: Rut will likely peak prior to opening weekend in the northwest, however bucks should still be on the move. Good luck and hunt safe!

*** *** ***
SOUTHWEST REGION
By Ron Smith, senior biologist

CURRENT BUCK RUTTING ACTIVITY: The weekend of Nov. 14-15 brought on a sharp increase in rut activity. Prior to that, activity seemed a bit behind previous years. Bucks have separated and began to focus on the chase. Does were not yet receptive but that should engage in the week leading up to rifle season opener.
HABITAT CONDITIONS: Late spring and early summer rains allowed tremendous recovery of overall habitat conditions compared to previous drought-impacted years. Heavier cover has made a very noticeable difference in visibility near stands used in previous years. Food sources specific to each part of the region are in much better shape. This has made early hunting a bit tough since deer didn't have to move much to meet their needs. As the weather turns colder, food sources will be more focused and allow patterns to show.
WHAT HUNTERS, LANDOWNERS ARE SAYING: General light deer movement has picked up. Archery hunters in the region found many more active rubs and scrapes. Many have reported seeing an increase in mature bucks beginning the chase. All in the area have noted the sudden flurry of deer movement while driving.
OPEN WMAs IN THE AREA: Those with gun seasons are Altus-Lugert -- open first nine days only, shotgun with slug, closed to antlerless hunting; Black Kettle -- open first nine days only; Ellis County -- open first nine days only, closed to antlerless hunting; Fort Cobb -- open first nine days only, shotgun only; Packsaddle -- open first nine days only, closed to antlerless hunting.
BEST TIPS FOR DEER HUNTERS: Be prepared to spend time in the field. Deer hunting can be a tremendous experience beyond climbing in a stand near a feeder. Time and careful observation can lead to patterns emerging that give the hunter a greater understanding of deer behavior. Use this behavior to be in full hunt mode before you get near a stand. Plan your approach, timing and wind conditions to your advantage.
BIGGEST MISTAKES TO AVOID: Leaving the field too early can be costly. Rut activity and weather conditions can produce movement throughout the day. Failing to account for wind will likely take you out of the game.
OPENING MORNING EXPECTATIONS:  Opening day should be productive in the region. Increasing rut activity will likely keep deer on the move. Numbers are rebounding after taking a hit from the drought, so opportunity should be there.

*** *** ***

DEER GUN SEASON NOTES

Hunters Required to Register Harvested Deer With Online E-Check
    All hunters who take a deer this season must register the harvest online using the Wildlife Department's E-Check system at wildlifedepartment.com. It's quick and convenient, and it's the law.
    Online checking of harvested deer and elk became mandatory in 2013, after being offered as an optional checking method beginning in 2009. Hunters and anglers who take a deer, elk, turkey or paddlefish must ensure their harvest is registered with E-Check within 24 hours of leaving the hunting or fishing area, and in all cases prior to processing the carcass.
    "The important thing for all deer hunters is to have a plan ahead of time for checking your deer," said Nels Rodefeld, chief of information and education for the Wildlife Department. "All deer must be checked using E-Check within 24 hours of leaving the hunt area and in all cases before processing the animal."
    Hunters and anglers, or anyone acting on their behalf, can use a computer, smartphone or mobile device to go online and register a harvest with E-Check.
    "You might be able to call your spouse or your friend who has Internet access, and they will be able to enter your information for you into the E-Check system," Rodefeld said. "Or, in some cases, local hunting license vendors or retailers are able to assist hunters by providing E-Check access in their shops."
    Upon E-Checking their harvest, hunters get a confirmation number immediately, which is required to field-tag the harvested animal. To view a video about how to use the E-Check system, go to youtube.com/OutdoorOklahoma and search for "online checking."

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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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