KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation released preliminary reports as deer and turkey hunting season ended Jan. 15.
Deer harvest
MDC reported a preliminary total harvest of 283,940 deer across the state. The top counties for the overall season were:
- Howell - 6,182
- Franklin - 5,957
- Texas - 5,619
Of the 283,940 deer harvested:
- Antlered bucks - 135,891
- Button bucks - 30,538
- Does - 117,511
MDC said hunters harvested 263,834 deer during the 2016-2017 deer hunting season.
Preliminary data from MDC showed hunters checked 51,722 deer during archery season. The top counties for the archery season were:
- Jefferson - 1,169
- St. Louis - 1,021
- Franklin - 1,000
Of the 51,722 deer harvested:
- Antlered bucks - 21,162
- Button bucks - 5,319
- Does - 25,241
Hunters checked 47,552 deer during the 2016-2017 archery season.
Turkey harvest
Fall archery turkey hunting also ended on Jan. 15. MDC’s preliminary data showed 2,426 turkeys were harvested. Top counties for the archery turkey season were:
- Phelps - 73
- Texas - 63
- Laclede - 58
The previous year, hunters harvested 2,304 turkeys.
Crossbow numbers
MDC said the past season was the second in which crossbows were allowed as a legal method during deer and turkey archery season. Of the 51,722 deer harvested under archery methods, 19,691 were with crossbows. Of the 2,426 turkeys harvested with archery, 1,113 were with crossbows.
The first season that included crossbows (2016-2017) of the 47,522 deer harvested by archery, 14,336 were with crossbows. Of the 2,304 turkeys harvested with archery, 853 were with crossbows.
Firearms-related incidents
MDC reported five firearms-related hunting incidents during the fall deer and turkey hunting seasons. None were deadly. Three involved self-inflicted wounds and the other two involved one hunter shooting another, according to MDC.
More information
Deer and turkey harvest data for the current season
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