Ample deer harvest predicted as season begins

Firearms season runs from Nov. 14 until Nov. 24. The designated dates for muzzleloader shooters run from Dec. 19 until Dec. 29 and the Late Youth Hunt is slated on Jan. 2-3, 2010.

Last year saw a deer harvest of 282,119 and this year looks to be another good year for hunters, according to Missouri Department of Conservation Agent Mark Reed.

"There are plenty of deer available for harvest and the deer herd is in good shape," Reed says, "as long as everyone plays by the rules, of course."

In some areas, Reed explains, the ice storm of 2009 may have some impact on the acorn crop, but he says, "It's not enough to hurt the deer. The acorn crop looks pretty favorable in our area so deer should have plenty to eat."

The ice storm played favorably in another unique way, according to the local Conservation agent, who explains that with the breaking off of so much of the local forestry during the storm, the result was actually an opening of the forest canopies, allowing more sunlight to the forest floor and in turn promoting the vegetation grown below.

Reed says there are over 450 different types of plants known to be food sources for deer in the state of Missouri.

"Relatively few of these are used extensively," he says, "and the deer's primary food source continues to be leaves, twigs and fruits of trees and shrubs, foliage of herbaceous plants, seeds, fungi, mosses, lichens, grasses, wild grapes, pokeweed, and Virginia creeper."

They also typically feed on new growth of red and white elm, Reed says, along with fragrant sumac, clovers, prickly lettuce, mushrooms, dwarf sumac, poison ivy foliage and others.

This year's rainfall, according to Reed, has contributed to the potential harvest, helping to provide for other food sources for the deer crop.

Reed warns hunters to be particularly cautious this year because of all the ice storm debris that remains on the forest floor, pointing out the need to scout a hunting area before settling into a tree stand this season.

"Hunters should scout the area they plan to hunt and check their tree stands for any damage caused the storm. They also may find that downed limbs will make getting deer out of the woods more challenging than in the past."

Reed encourages hunters to pick up a copy of the 2009 Deer and Turkey Fall Hunting pamphlet at any permit vendor or MDC office.

The pamphlet includes all deer hunting regulations and highlights any changes since last year.

"All hunters," he advises, "should pick up and read a copy before deer season to make sure they're familiar with the regulations."