Missouri hunters harvest 6,524 deer during early season

Missouri hunters harvested 6,524 deer during the firearms early antlerless portion of the 2026 season, held from October 9 to 11. This figure represents a decrease of 1,970 deer compared to the 8,494 harvested during the same period in 2025.

The Missouri Department of Conservation attributed the lower harvest numbers to record or near-record high temperatures experienced during the three-day hunting window. Franklin County reported the highest harvest with 203 deer, followed by Howell and Jefferson counties.

Missouri’s deer hunting season remains active through January 15, 2027, with various upcoming opportunities including youth firearms portions and late antlerless hunts.