Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation indicates Texas County led the state in deer harvested during the recently completed fall firearms season.
MDC said hunters checked 4,544 deer in the county to finish ahead of Howell (4,046) and Franklin (3,707) counties. A total of 189,938 deer were harvested statewide –– topping last year’s total of 166,383.
Here is a tally of kills in past years in Texas County: 2011, 3,272; 2012, 3,904; 2013, 3,301; and 2014, 3,161.
Of the deer harvested, 92,020 were antlered bucks, 21,256 were button bucks, and 76,662 were does.
“Good weather and plenty of deer activity likely are the reasons why there was an increase in deer harvest during the November portion of the firearms deer season this year,” said MDC deer biologist Jason Sumners.
Authorities recorded five firearms-related incidents with self-inflicted wounds in Butler, Franklin, Newton and Howard counties. Two were reported in Butler County.
Deer hunting in Missouri continues with archery deer hunting from Nov. 25 through Jan. 15, firearms antlerless portion Nov. 25 through Dec. 6, firearms alternative methods portion Dec. 19-29, and firearms late youth portion Jan. 2-3.
For current, preliminary harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, visit the MDC website at http://on.mo.gov/1jjz7Ew. For harvest summaries from past years, visithttp://on.mo.gov/1MRjOLV.