According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, preliminary data shows deer hunters harvested 14,607 deer during the late antlerless portion of firearms deer season, Dec. 7 through 15. Top harvest counties were Pike with 477 deer harvested, Callaway with 391 and Lincoln with 382.

This year’s harvest total was down from last year’s late antlerless portion harvest total of 18,916 and 4% below the previous five-year average. Clay County hunters netted seven button bucks and 38 does.

Archery deer hunting continues through Jan. 15. The alternative methods portion will run through Jan. 7.

Get more information on Missouri deer hunting from MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer.