Preliminary data shows young hunters took nearly 11,900 deer during the state's early youth portion of the hunting season, Oct. 24-25.
Over the weekend, hunters ages 6-15 harvested 11,878 deer. The top counties were Howell, Franklin, and Texas, with over 7,000 deer being antlered bucks. More information is available from this portion by the Missouri Dept. of Conservation.
Youth hunters have harvested about 14,600 deer during the early portion on average in recent years. The MDC said above-average temperature affected this year's total.
"Unfortunately, the abnormally warm fall we've been experience so far continued through last weekend," said MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle. "Although not as warm as the early antlerless portion, highs in the 80s during the early youth portion undoubtedly suppressed daytime deer movement."
Isabelle noted that the forecast has cooler temps in November — peak time for Missouri's archery hunters.
Deer hunting in the state continues through January 15, 2027. Next month's firearms portion runs Nov. 14-24, with a late youth portion Nov. 27-29.
Regulations, information, and hunting permits are available here.
