Submitted by Chad Gray

Conservation Agent – Atchison County

Missouri Department of Conservation

The first weekend of November is hallowed among Missouri outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen. The first weekend marks the November portion of the firearm deer season. It is an exciting time of year for all. Deer populations are still recovering from the 2011-12 EHD outbreak. This means the older age classes of deer will be less prevalent. We are seeing more does with fawns that are bolstering the deer herd in Atchison County.

To encourage survival, the Missouri Department of Conservation has decided to close Atchison County for the antlerless portion of the firearms deer season. This closure will aid in the growth of the deer herd. Effects from this change will not be seen immediately. Next spring you may see the first effects of this regulation change. Typically, more does on the landscape equals more deer in general. So, by removing Atchison County from the antlerless season, hunters should see more does make it to reproductive age. Although this regulation prohibits any deer being taken during the doe only season, hunters need not worry.

Does may still be taken during the November portion of the firearms deer season. Remember, Atchison County is still a one antlerless permit only county. This means that a firearms hunter may only fill one antlerless permit in Atchison County. A hunter then must go to another county to fill additional antlerless permits. If a hunter chooses to do so, he/she can fill a firearms any deer permit with a doe as well. Only one buck may be taken during the firearms deer season (all portions combined).

With a conservative approach by all hunters in our area we will start to move things in the direction of more deer. Citizens of Atchison County can help our deer herd grow by harvesting younger smaller button bucks or yearling bucks instead of females. The initial impacts of removing these deer from your property will allow you to fill your freezer and improve our deer herd in the county.

It’s a great time of year; holidays are approaching, and the hunting season is upon us. Remember to be safe during any portions of the firearms deer season by wearing the required amount of hunter orange (vest/coat, and hat). This allows other hunters to identify you as a hunter and not a deer. Please be safe this season. If you have any questions regarding this article feel free to contact Agent Chad Gray at 816-383-0404.

After Harvest Procedure

Congratulations! You have harvested your deer…now what to do with it. Regulation requires a deer permit to be notched immediately after harvesting your deer. If you are using traditional paper permits printed at home tear or cut a small notch on the day and month of harvest. If using the new MOHunt application on your cell phone you will tap the permit you wish to notch. In the upper right corner, you will see the word “notch” in blue letters. Tap notch. Then you have successfully notched your permit.

The final action that a hunter needs to take is tele-checking your animal. This is a very crucial part to the harvesting process. This action allows us to determine how many deer are being harvested and gives us crucial data to manage the deer herd of Missouri. We cannot do it without you, the hunter. Tele-checking your animal must take place by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest. If using traditional permits, you may utilize the phone number on your permit or go online to www.mdc.mo.gov and search how to tele-check your animal. If using the new MOHunt application, you can immediately tele-check your animal if you choose to do so. After notching you will notice the word tele-check in the upper right-hand corner of your application screen. Tap tele-check. The application will then prompt you through the tele-check procedure. That’s it, simple and easy. If you choose to review this process on your own it can be found on page 60 of the 2018 Deer and Turkey booklet. Have a safe season!