Texas County took fifth in the state for the recently concluded deer season, according to figures compiled by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
MDC reported a total statewide deer harvest of 301,954 after the season ended on Jan. 15 with the close of archery hunting. This marks an increase over last year’s number of 275,656 deer.
Here is the breakdown of each type of deer harvested: 145,222 antlered bucks, 25,129 button bucks and 131,603 does.
This year also finished with a higher-than-average total when compared to the five-year average. It marked the sixth time Missouri’s deer harvest has exceeded 300,000 deer, according to MDC.
The top 10 counties for deer hunting were: Franklin (6,770), Howell (5,490), Callaway (5,346), Jefferson (5,183), Texas (5,002), Pike (4,861), Macon (4,537), Lincoln (4,507), Benton (4,230) and Oregon, (4,194).
The count in the prior year for Texas County was 4,132. It finished seventh in the state.
The most popular deer hunting season in Missouri was the main portion of the November firearms season.
Archery hunters accounted for more than 62,000 deer during the season, according to preliminary data from MDC. The top archery counties were Jefferson (1,571), Franklin (1,272) and St. Louis (1,076).
The department also reported four non-fatal, self-inflicted gun-related hunting accidents during the season. One involved deer hunting, while the others happened during other types of hunting.