Preliminary data shows deer hunters harvested 10,602 deer during the alternative-methods portion of the fall firearms season Dec. 24 through Jan. 3.
Of the harvest total, 2,787 were antlered bucks, 1,496 button bucks, and 6,319 does. Top harvest counties were Oregon with 262 deer harvested, Callaway with 199, and Pike with 195.
The harvest total for last year’s alternative-methods portion was 11,078 deer with 3,001 antlered bucks, 1,593 button bucks and 6,484 does.
For 2016 harvest totals by county and season, click here.
Muzzleloading firearms, centerfire pistols, air-powered guns, bows, crossbows or atlatls are used during the alternative methods-portion of firearms season.
Deer hunting continues with statewide archery hunting through Jan. 15.
In December, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved recommendations for the 2017-2018 deer-hunting season dates including:
• Archery Deer, Sept. 15 through Nov. 10 and Nov. 22 through Jan. 15
• Firearms Deer Early Youth Portion, Oct. 28 and 29
• Firearms Deer November Portion, Nov. 11-21
• Firearms Deer Late Youth Portion, Nov. 24-26
•Firearms Antlerless Portion, Dec. 1-3
• Firearms Alternative Methods Portion, Dec. 23 through Jan. 2