MDC expanded the November portion of firearms deer season to 11 days in 1995 in response to a rapidly growing deer population in many parts of the state. Deer numbers in most parts of Missouri are now at or below desired levels. According to MDC biologists, reducing the length of the November portion by two days will help increase those numbers.
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To explain the proposed changes and gather public feedback, MDC will hold public meetings around the state from 5 to 8 p.m. The meeting for the Northwest Region will be held at MDC Northwest Regional Office, 701 James McCarthy Drive in St. Joseph.
For the fall firearms deer season, MDC proposes:
Maintaining the current timing of the November portion but reducing the length from 11 days to nine days,
Expanding the late youth firearms weekend from two days to three days and having it begin the Friday after Thanksgiving instead of early January,
Reducing the length of the antlerless firearms portion from 12 days to three days and beginning it on the first Friday in December, and eliminating the urban zones portion.
For the fall archery deer and turkey season, MDC proposes:
Allowing crossbows as a legal method, and
Reducing the limit of antlered deer during the archery season from two to one.
MDC also proposes simplifying conservation area regulations and also wants public comment on permit fees for nonresidents regarding a possible increase, decrease, or no change in price.