Corner Post editorial —
Deer may cause some harm, but deer season provides many enjoyable experiences
by Jake Shipley, posted Oct. 28, 2011
Destroyed crop fields, demolished automobiles, and memorable times with friends, family, and the outdoors; these three things have one thing in common — they can all come from whitetail deer. The hunting of whitetail deer in Missouri has taken place since pre-settlement times according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) website. Although their numbers over the years dwindled to as low as 400 head statewide during the 1920s, they have climbed back into a steady, and in some areas increasingly abundant, population.
Deer season in Missouri is an important time of year for many of its residents, as well as people from other areas. Hunters who harvest deer often use the meat to provide their families with food, while others may use it as a leisure time to enjoy with friends, family and the outdoors.
“I love spending time with my family, teaching new people to hunt, being in the woods early in the morning, the adrenaline rush when you’ve spotted a big one, and eating venison [deer meat],” said Trey Foster, a senior fisheries and wildlife major from Appleton City, Mo. “I just like the whole experience ... besides the cold. I hate the cold.”
Deer season in Missouri is made up of four main seasons: archery season, youth firearms season (6-15 years old, accompanied by a certified adult), firearms season, and muzzleloader season. Each season has a specific length of time it runs and regulations that hunters must follow.
Deer hunting can build lifelong memories and relationships. The youth hunting season is a great way to introduce the youth of our state to the outdoors, but also gain opportunities to make an impact on the life of a youngster.
“My dad took me hunting for the first time when I was just a little boy,” said Luke Wells, junior animal science major from Sullivan, Mo. “Those initial experiences got me hooked on hunting. Now it is something I look forward to every year.”
In an informal survey conducted in September 2011, 85.1 percent of hunters said deer season was a family tradition or held some sentimental value. Of those same hunters surveyed, 52.5 percent said their mother or father figure had introduced them to hunting, while some other family member had introduced another 24.5 percent.
Some may hunt for the memories and experiences while others hunt for food. Nearly 35 percent of the hunters surveyed claimed they hunted deer for the meat.
According to the MDC, the average adult Missouri doe yields just shy of 95 pounds after being dressed. The MDC sponsors a Share the Harvest program for feeding needy families. The program works with local food banks to distribute unwanted or excess venison from hunters to families who cannot afford to buy meat or kill it themselves.
“We process as much meat as we need for ourselves, but after we’ve harvested the first two or three we donate any others we kill to families in the area,” Foster said.
Getting started hunting isn’t hard at all. Acquiring a hunter safety certification or purchasing an Apprentice Hunter Authorization permit are your first steps towards getting involved in deer hunting. Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website at www.mdc.mo.gov to learn more about how to get started deer hunting.
Once you are hunter safety certified you must purchase your necessary permits and meet all other regulations which can also be found at the MDC website. Finding ground to hunt on comes easier than you think too.
Many farmers lease out their ground or are willing to allow people to come in and hunt their properties to help reduce crop or other property damage caused by deer. Another alternative is to hunt public ground. There are areas all across the state that are owned by the MDC and allow hunting free of charge.
Of course, you will also need a weapon, which can be expensive if purchased new, but often someone will be more than happy to let you borrow one.
If you are already an avid hunter, go out and take someone who is new to the fun and excitement, or if you have never been, give it a try.
“When you have a deer in your sights, the ‘Buckfever’ is an unmistakable feeling that never gets old,” Wells said.
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