Another beautiful autumn is upon us, and with the cooler weather comes many fall activities, such as football games, hay rides, and, for many areas, hunting seasons. Archery season, also known as bow season, opened in Missouri on Sept. 15 for both deer and turkey and will run through Nov. 11. In addition, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the dates for the rest of this year’s deer seasons are:
·Archery season: Nov. 23–Jan. 15, 2012
·Main firearms season: Nov. 12–22
·Youth season: Nov. 5–Nov. 6 and Jan. 7–8, 2012
·Antlerless season: Nov. 23–Dec. 4
·Muzzleloader season: Dec. 17–27
·Urban Season (specified counties only): Oct. 7–10
Similarly, turkey seasons are listed as:
·Archery season: Nov. 23–Jan. 15, 2012
·Main firearms season: Oct. 1–31
In 2010, there were 188, 205 deer tagged during the first firearms season. Those numbers have been declining in the last few years, with 193,155 being taken in the 2009 firearms season and 200,679 in 2008. It is possible that the weather is having an adverse effect on deer hunting.
With the fall deer season upon us, there are a few simple rules to follow. Of course, the first thing to remember is that safety comes first. Gun safety is paramount. It is the law to always wear safety orange, in the forms of a hat or cap and shirt, vest, or jacket. Always identify your target before placing your finger on the trigger. And always wear a safety harness when in a tree stand.
Another good rule is to observe adequate hunting etiquette. Make sure your equipment is in working condition. Get permission before stepping on to private property. Make sure that any and all litter is taken out of the woods with you, including spent shells. Following simple precautions and roles such as these ensure that everyone, hunters and non-hunters alike, get to enjoy the experience of our beautiful state’s fall season this year and for many to come. If you have any questions regarding the dates or safety regulations of the many hunting seasons in Missouri, please visit www.mdc.mo.gov.
Hunters are great at giving back to their fellow Missourians. This concept is the basis of the Share the Harvest program. Started in 1992 by a group of Missouri archers who were concerned about people going hungry in their communities. Share the Harvest is a wonderful way for many hunters to participate in their favorite activity while helping out the hungry in their local communities. It is easy to participate. Simply take the deer to an approved processing plant and let the processor know how much venison is to be donated. The processor will then package and store the venison until it can be taken to a distributing agency, where it can be distributed to those in need. It is possible for some hunters to get a reduced fee on their processing by donating to this program. For more information on Share the Harvest, go to the MDC website, www.mdc.mo.gov or call (573) 751-4115.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District. |
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