MDC seeks public input on proposed deer hunting regulation changes Possible changes involve firearms season lengths, use of crossbows, archery bag limits, regulations on conservation areas, and non-resident permit fees.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is seeking public input on proposed changes to the state’s deer hunting regulations for the 2016-2017 hunting season.
For the fall firearms deer season, MDC proposes:
Maintaining the current timing of the November portion but reducing the length from 11 days to nine days,
Expanding the late youth firearms weekend from two days to three days and having it begin the Friday after Thanksgiving instead of early January,
Reducing the length of the antlerless firearms portion from 12 days to three days and beginning it on the first Friday in December, and Eliminating the urban zones portion.
As far as the seasons go this is what I figured will happen. Crossbows yes, moving gun season, NO.
I would bet eliminating the second buck would only save 50 - 100 bucks a year total. No affect on "growing" the deer herd.
1 archery buck will not effect harvest numbers, most do not tag the 2nd buck anyway.
Reducing rifle doe season to 3 days is good, but it need to go away all together.
Crossbows NO, if so go to a 1 buck per hunter per year regardless of take.
If they are going to change it, change it, this is a waste of time and effort....half a$$ effort to keep all happy.
Too little to late on the anterless season, should have happened before now.
I think the inclusion of crossbows will likely increase archery buck harvest and buck harvest overall. I doubt that the increase buck kills will be offset by limiting the archery buck harvest to one per person. This will likely be implemented to limit the total buck kill.
To me it’s interesting that in the MDC sponsored YouTube video, the narrator indicates that the department is interested in the health of Missouri’s whitetails AND Missouri’s hunting heritage. What I don’t understand about this idea and paraphrased statement is how/why the department is essentially picking and choosing which heritage they want to honor? Obviously the timing of the modern firearms season is an item that they will continue to recognize primarily because of it’s effectiveness in a management role. Not to mention the revenue this particular season pumps money into rural communities.
Crossbows are not apart of Missouri’s archery heritage, although I do know that older individuals and people with disabilities are able to obtain permits in order to participate currently. I have no issue with the way it stands now.
I agree 100% with what elkmo has said…in fact I don’t think I could’ve summarized my opinion better.