356
5 year old buck +
With the conclusion of Late Youth Season and the special CWD Zone Season, 285028 deer have been harvested in Missouri, including:
Does: 119988
Button Bucks: 23859
Antlered Bucks: 141181
With seven more weeks of archery (including crossbows), 9 days of Antlerless firearms and 11 days of Alternative firearms remaining, 2023-24 is set to be a record harvest for the state. The previous 5 year high was last year, at 299719 deer harvested. 2023-24 will likely eclipse those numbers, as the two remaining firearms seasons generally result in 25,000 additional harvests. Records going back to 1944 reflect average harvests of 290K per year from 2017-22 and 270K per year from 2012-2016.
While the CWD results are VERY preliminary, the numbers are somewhat encouraging.
While EHD was a factor in some areas, most of the state is enjoying robust deer numbers. The “early” antlerless season and new “CWD zone season” are helping ensure Missouri sportsman, not hired sharpshooters, are helping manage Missouri’s deer, especially in CWD zones. At this point, it appears Missouri’s landowners and hunters are stepping to meet statewide goals for sustainable harvests in a CWD state.
Does: 119988
Button Bucks: 23859
Antlered Bucks: 141181
With seven more weeks of archery (including crossbows), 9 days of Antlerless firearms and 11 days of Alternative firearms remaining, 2023-24 is set to be a record harvest for the state. The previous 5 year high was last year, at 299719 deer harvested. 2023-24 will likely eclipse those numbers, as the two remaining firearms seasons generally result in 25,000 additional harvests. Records going back to 1944 reflect average harvests of 290K per year from 2017-22 and 270K per year from 2012-2016.
While the CWD results are VERY preliminary, the numbers are somewhat encouraging.
CWD Sampling Results
Area | Positives | Negatives | Pending | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
Inside CWD Management Zone | 2 | 13007 | 9369 | 22378 |
Statewide (Outside of Zone) | 1 | 972 | 449 | 1422 |
TOTAL | 3 | 13979 | 9818 | 23800 |
While EHD was a factor in some areas, most of the state is enjoying robust deer numbers. The “early” antlerless season and new “CWD zone season” are helping ensure Missouri sportsman, not hired sharpshooters, are helping manage Missouri’s deer, especially in CWD zones. At this point, it appears Missouri’s landowners and hunters are stepping to meet statewide goals for sustainable harvests in a CWD state.