Deer totals for our county, the Northwest Region and the state dropped between this year and last, according to Daviess County Conservation Agent Alan Bradford. But neither the number of deer nor the number of hunters was the cause.
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“It was just the warm weather, and we had a couple of days when it was windy,” said Agent Bradford. “Deer just hold tight when it’s those type of weather conditions. They don’t have to move when it’s warm because they’re not burning as much energy as when it’s cold. Deer can survive several days without having to find food. When it’s windy, deer are more cautious because they’re not able to hear m.”
Daviess County deer totaled 2,244 with 928 antlered bucks, 342 button bucks, and 974 does. That total is down 222 from last year. Totals for counties surrounding Daviess were Caldwell 1,620; DeKalb 1,237; Gentry 1,439; Grundy 1,482; and Livingston 1,697.
Northwest Region totals for total deer taken was 30,798 with 14,531 antlered bucks, 3,703 button bucks, and 12,564 does. That’s a decrease of 4,415 from last year. High counties for the Northwest Region were: Linn 2,382; Harrison 2,287; and Daviess 2,244.
Statewide totals were 214,492 with 95,646 antlered bucks, 28,765 button bucks and 90,081 does. That is a decrease of 20,562 from last year. High counties for the state were: Texas 4,043; Callaway 4,041; and Oregon 3,995.
Agent Bradford said he didn’t think the number of hunters was a factor.
“Some people talked about not seeing the hunters they have in past years, but our permit sales were about the same as they’ve been for the past several years,” he said.
Hunters set a harvest record during the November portion of last year’s firearms deer season, killing 235,054 deer, and this fall’s harvest was expected to be just as good.
“A deer biologist with MDC predicted the kill for this year would be about like last year’s,” said Agent Bradford. “But he didn’t know what the weather was going to be like.”
There are still several opportunities for deer hunters. Muzzle loader started Nov. 23, and goes until Dec. 2. Antlerless deer season starts on Dec. 8 and goes through the following Sunday, Dec. 16. Archery seasons reopens Dec. 21 and runs until Jan. 15.
Hunters should check area regulations listed in the 2007 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulation Information booklet, which is available from hunting permit vendors statewide. The information also is available online at www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/ deer/.