#MISSOURI HUNTING SEASONS PRO#
#MISSOURI HUNTING SEASONS PROFESSIONAL#

“However, additional firearms hunting opportunities in urban zones do little to manage deer populations where the ability to use firearms is limited. “The urban zones portion was implemented as one tool to address issues associated with overabundant urban deer populations,” Sumners said. Hunters were mainly hunting the more rural, outlying areas of the urban zones and weren’t making an impact where it was most needed. We expect that the inclusion of crossbows will increase the harvest during the archery season, but do not expect it to result in a significant increase in total deer harvest,” Sumners said.Īccording to the MDC, Urban Zones weren’t accomplishing their goal of removing deer from the most troublesome urban areas. We have received an increasing number of requests to expand the archery season to include crossbows. “Our challenge is to balance contrasting hunter opinions with the desire to provide maximum hunting opportunities while also responsibly managing Missouri’s deer population.

#MISSOURI HUNTING SEASONS PRO#

Either way, beginning in 2016, they’ll be legal for use during the entire archery season, and you can rest assured, since new is always exciting, they’ll be flying off the shelves at Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s and other sporting retailers. This one regulatory component, when combined with other changes, will help to stabilize and increase deer populations in some areas.”Ĭrossbows have been controversial for years. “Reducing the November portion by two days will not result in a dramatic decrease in harvest or hunting opportunities. “The final two days of the November portion of the firearms deer season have traditionally been the two days with the lowest hunter harvest and number of hunting trips,” said Sumners.

Take shortening the November portion of the firearms season from 11 to 9 days, for example. Reducing the number of days in a certain season may not sit well with some, but may be just what others hoped for. Thankfully, our state deer biologist Jason Sumners (pictured right) and his team do an incredible job of balancing wildlife health with hunter desire. Considering the popularity of white-tailed deer, pleasing everyone is impossible. Managing for the best-case scenario of any species is no easy task.

#MISSOURI HUNTING SEASONS PROFESSIONAL#

The Conservation Commission approved these and other changes based on professional recommendations and public input. Beginning in 2016, deer hunters won’t be able to kill as many antlered bucks, will be able to use crossbows during archery season, will have two fewer days of hunting during the November portion of the firearms season, will have a shorter antlerless season and Urban Zones will no longer exist. Changes are on the horizon for Missouri deer hunters.

Missouri hunting seasons