Missouri Deer Hunters Harvest 159,120 Deer During November Firearms Season

Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reveals that hunters harvested 159,120 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season, held from Nov. 16 to 26. The total includes 82,613 antlered bucks, 13,203 button bucks, and 63,304 does.

Franklin County led the harvest with 3,530 deer, followed by Texas County with 2,935 and Howell County with 2,741. For ongoing harvest updates by season, county, and deer type, visit MDC's harvest table.

This year’s total is lower than the 193,885 deer harvested during the same period in 2023 and approximately 15% below the five-year average. MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle attributes the decline to multiple factors, including the later season start, challenging weather, and a bumper acorn crop.

“The November portion started about a week later this year due to the calendar shift,” said Isabelle. “This pushed the season further from the peak rut, which typically occurs around November 10.”

Unfavorable hunting conditions, such as warm temperatures and high winds, also played a role. “These conditions likely affected deer movement and hunters’ willingness to be in the woods,” Isabelle added.

A plentiful acorn crop further reduced deer movement. “Deer don’t need to move as much to find food when there’s an abundance of acorns,” Isabelle explained. This impacted harvest totals, particularly in the heavily forested Ozark counties, where acorns significantly influence deer behavior.

Firearms deer hunting in Missouri continues with the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) portion from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 in open counties. Additional hunting opportunities include the Late Youth portion (Nov. 29–Dec. 1), Late Antlerless portion (Dec. 7–15), and Alternative Methods portion (Dec. 28–Jan. 7, 2025). The archery deer season reopens on Nov. 27 and runs through Jan. 15, 2025.

For more information, consult the MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available online and where hunting permits are sold.