Opening weekend deer harvest down 23 percent
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| The harvest during opening weekend of Missouri's November firearms deer season was 102,545, a 23 percent decrease from last year's record figure. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
11/21/2005 - Rain and abundant acorns hampered hunting, but with nine
days of November firearms deer season left, hunters could make up some lost
ground.
JEFFERSON CITY-Missouri deer hunters checked 23 percent fewer deer than last
year during the opening weekend of the November firearms deer season Nov. 12
and 13. The decrease reflected conditions predicted by the Missouri
Department of Conservation and weather that hampered hunters' efforts.
This year's opening weekend harvest was 102,545. Last year's figure was a
record 133,136.
Conservation Department biologists predicted a smaller-than-average deer
harvest this year because oak trees produced a bumper crop of acorns, which
are the dietary mainstay of deer across much of the state. Hunters have best
luck finding deer when acorns are scarce, because deer must travel widely to
find food, and gather around available food sources. Widespread abundance of
acorns means deer don't have to go far for food and are scattered.
Warm, wet weather on opening day also helped hold down the number of deer
killed. Deer are less active during warm weather, and rain keeps some
hunters indoors. In contrast, weather during last year's opening weekend was
nearly perfect for hunting.
Hunters can make up lost ground in the remaining nine days of the November
firearms deer season with favorable conditions. In 2003, the opening weekend
harvest was down 16,256 compared to the 2002 opener. By the end of the
season they had closed that gap by more than 6,000 deer. Long-range weather
forecasts predict mostly sunny weather with cooler temperatures for most of
the remainder of this year's November firearms deer season.
The Conservation Department recorded five nonfatal firearms-related deer
hunting accidents and one fatality during the weekend. That is the largest
number since 1994 and nearly twice the 10-year average.
The top three deer-harvest counties were Callaway with 2,144 deer checked,
Benton with 2,097 and Pike with 1,885.
Regional harvest totals were: Northeast, 19,250; Central, 16,519; Northwest,
16,210; Kansas City, 11,795; Ozark, 11,726; Southwest, 11,578; Southeast,
8,048; and St. Louis, 7,418.
Antlered deer made up 47 percent of the opening-weekend harvest. Does were
39 percent, and button bucks accounted for 14 percent.
- Jim Low -
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