Alton, Mo. – Missouri held its early youth deer season last weekend. Despite a drop in temperatures that followed rain, the youth (and adults) got out to harvest some deer across the state. Here are the numbers.
Early data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that young hunters aged 6 through 15 harvested 11,118 deer during Missouri’s early youth portion of the 2023 deer hunting season [1]. This season was held on October 28 and 29.
When Was The Season Open?
The early season for youth was October 28-29, 2023. The weather in Oregon County was cold, having received rain the few days before opening day. Hunters were exempt from antler restrictions found in the adult firearm seasons.
Top Counties
The top counties that harvested deer in the youth hunt were Franklin, with 258 deer harvested; Osage, with 224; and Texas, with 209. Of all the deer harvested from the youth, 6,857 were antlered bucks, 3,410 were does, and 851 were button bucks.
This number was down from last year’s results of 13,877 during the year’s early youth portion.
The colder temperatures were conducive to good deer movement. However, the combination of cooler temperatures and rainy conditions, which continued throughout much of the weekend, were likely factors that reduced the amount of time many young hunters would spend afield.
We appreciate the adults who raise youth to take care of wildlife as well as firearms. Great job to you, along with the youth. Harvesting deer keeps them off the roads and from being a part of a vehicle accident.
Notes:
- ^ {{MDC releases youth deer hunting harvest numbers}} (go back ↩)
