MDC outlines deer season changes

SOURCE: MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
9-21-23 MDC deer season

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Fall weather and deer season are quickly approaching. As Nodaway County hunters prepare for the upcoming deer season, as always, it is important that they take a few moments to go over the current regulations before heading into the woods. There are several regulation changes this year. If hunters have any questions regarding what regulation changes will impact the county they plan to hunt in, they can find up-to-date information in the 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey regulation booklet, or contact Kris Smith, the local conservation agent for Nodaway County.

Some of the changes to the upcoming season include a new firearms early antlerless portion, a new firearms CWD portion, changes to firearms antlerless permit numbers, and the addition of 14 new counties to the MDC CWD Management Zone. It is important to note that these regulation changes only apply to certain counties, and Nodaway County will be CLOSED for the Early Antlerless Portion, Late Antlerless Portion and Firearms CWD Portion. Hunters will be limited to filling ONE firearms antlerless deer permit in Nodaway County.

“The changes to deer hunting regulations for the 2023-2024 deer season were motivated by increasing deer numbers throughout much of Missouri and in response to changes in the distribution of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the state,” said MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle in a news release from MDC. “With a growing deer population in most Missouri counties, we’re increasing opportunities for hunters to harvest deer both within and outside of the CWD Management Zone this year.”

Below is a summary of the regulation changes:

New Firearms Early Antlerless Portion Oct. 6-8
This season is CLOSED in Nodaway County.

MDC will offer a new firearms early antlerless portion Oct. 6-8 in the 100 counties open for the firearms late antlerless portion Dec. 2-10. Reynolds County will now be open during the antlerless portions.

“With deer numbers being at desired levels in most counties but continuing to increase, additional antlerless harvest is needed to stabilize the deer population,” said Isabelle. “This new season portion will help increase antlerless deer harvest prior to the November portion, when many hunters focus on harvesting bucks.”

Isabelle noted that the timing of the early antlerless portion was chosen to provide hunting opportunity when weather conditions are usually favorable and to minimize conflicts with archery hunters, who usually hunt most in late October and early November.

New Firearms CWD Portion Nov. 22-26
This season is CLOSED in Nodaway County.

MDC will offer a CWD portion of firearms deer season Nov. 22-26 in CWD Management Zone counties during the 2023-2024 deer season.

According to MDC, hunters will be able to use any unfilled firearms deer hunting permits during the CWD portion and must abide by the statewide limit of one antlered deer during the firearms deer season, all portions combined. Hunters must also abide by county-specific firearms antlerless permit numbers.

“Because higher deer densities can increase the rate of CWD spread, additional deer harvest in the CWD Management Zone is needed to prevent further increases in deer numbers and help minimize the spread of the disease,” said Isabelle.

Isabelle noted that the CWD portion is timed to occur during the tail end of the primary rut, when deer movement is typically good and hunter interest remains high. CWD testing is not required during the CWD portion.

Changes to Firearms Antlerless Permit Numbers
Hunters may fill one firearms antlerless deer hunting permit in Nodaway County during firearms deer season (all seasons combined).

MDC has also increased the number of firearms antlerless permits hunters can fill in most counties, including allowing hunters to fill a firearms antlerless permit in Butler, Carter, Scott and Wayne counties. Hunters in Bollinger County will be able to fill two firearms antlerless permits beginning this year. Qualifying landowners in Reynolds County may now receive two Resident Landowner Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permits. MDC has also increased the number of firearms antlerless permits from two to four in 85 counties.

“The liberalization of antlerless harvest opportunities will help slow population growth and keep the deer population at desired levels,” said Isabelle.

He also noted that the additional firearms antlerless permits will help hunters and landowners to meet their deer management goals in areas where more antlerless harvest is needed.

For more information, contact Nodaway County Conservation Agent Kris Smith at 816-261-1245 or at [email protected].

To report wildlife violations, contact Smith or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-392-1111.