Hunters will descend into Texas County this week as the fall firearms season begins Saturday.
The annual season results in increased traffic on highways, spikes commerce at businesses and fills lodging across the county.
The season runs through Nov. 25. Texas County finished 2024 in seventh place in the total kill from various seasons. Hunters harvested 4,132 deer. The only southern Missouri county placing ahead of Texas was Howell, 4,490. In 2023, the deer harvest in Texas County was 6,181.
TELECHECK AND CARCASS TRANSPORTATION
Hunters can minimize the risk of spreading CWD by properly disposing of deer carcasses and parts, the Missouri Department of Conservation said. Hunters are required to dispose of deer carcasses and unused parts in trash that is dumped in a sanitary landfill or on the property where the deer was harvested.
“It will help us to slow the spread of CWD by minimizing the chances of hunters harvesting a positive deer and moving it to a different location and improperly disposing of the carcass, which can spread the disease,” said Jason Isabelle, MDC cervid program supervisor.
Hunters must Telecheck their deer by 10 p.m. the day it was harvested or before leaving the county where it was harvested, whichever comes first. Hunters can Telecheck their deer using the MO Hunting app or through the conservation department’s website. They can also call 800-314-6828 to Telecheck.
MANDATORY CHECK STATIONS
During open weekend of firearms deer season, Nov. 15-16, hunters in certain Chronic Wasting Zone (CWZ) counties, including Texas, must take their harvested deer (or its head) to a mandatory CWD sampling station.
Stations are open 7:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. This is the first time Texas County has been included in a zone.
Here are the sampling stations in Texas County:
- Cabool — Cabool Schools, 720 Peabody Ave.
- Houston — Missouri Department of Transportation facility, 1020 N. U.S. 63.
- Licking — George O. White State Forest Nursery, 14031 Shafer Road.
- Roby — Roby Fire Department, 12248 Route 32.
- Summersville — Missouri Department of Transportation facility, 235 S. Highway 17.
Other related information appears in the MDC’s “2025 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet.
HUNTING DATES AND TIMES
The archery portion of deer hunting is open now and will continue through Nov. 14. It will reopen again from Nov. 26 to Jan. 15.
The firearms portion will open Nov. 15 and run through Nov. 25. If a county is in the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone, there will be an additional portion that runs Nov. 26 to 30.
The early antlerless firearms portion took place Oct. 10 to 12, and the late portion will occur Dec. 6 to 14.
An early youth firearms period was Nov. 1 and 2, and a late window will open Nov. 28 to 30.
An alternative methods portion will be open Dec. 27 to Jan. 6.
As of Nov. 9, the kill from various seasons in Texas County stood at 923.
WARNING FROM MoDOT
Because October and November are peak months for deer to be on the move, the Missouri Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to watch for them on roadways.
The state consistently ranks 10th to 15th in the country in deer-vehicle collisions each year, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Numerous deer collisions have occurred recently in Texas County.
Last year, 2,952 crashes with deer were reported in the state, with four deaths and 420 injuries.
Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, and they can be unpredictable, stopping in the middle of the road when crossing or suddenly leaping into traffic.
In addition to remaining alert and wearing a seat belt, MoDOT advises the following precautions.
- Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer. Swerving can cause motorists to lose control and travel off the road or into oncoming traffic.
- Deer rarely travel alone. Slow down and keep an eye out for more deer. If a deer crosses the road in front of you, there is a good chance another deer will be following it.
- Don’t follow another car too closely — the driver in front of you might have to stop suddenly to avoid hitting a deer.