Harvest Does

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Landowners who are experiencing deer problems can combine deer population control with hunting recreation. Hunting is by far the most effective technique used in controlling Missouri’s deer herd. For this to work, landowners must first allow people to hunt their property that harvest deer.
Hunting must be organized and targeted towards the harvest of adult female deer and be intense enough to affect deer populations. Targeting doe deer and applying intense hunting pressure will help decrease deer numbers. Landowners wanting to control deer numbers must allow a maximum harvest of adult doe deer. To do this, invite effective hunters who are safe, dependable, and capable to hunt your land. Also, make sure your hunters are aware of the deer regulations and that they abide by them.
Many landowners and their family members also deer hunt. This need not change. Hunters can be old friends, family or new acquaintances, but their efforts should be focused on harvesting does.
Specify that all hunters coming to your property have antlerless tags before the hunt. All northeast Missouri counties now allow four (4) firearms antlerless permits to be filled. Statewide, almost half of the deer harvested are taken on opening weekend. So to maximize doe harvest, you need to really concentrate on the first two days of season. Try to encourage surrounding landowners to practice the same methods.
Keep up the hunting pressure throughout the entire season. Some stands will produce more than others. Refill those stands as soon as possible and concentrate your hunting efforts. Placing hunters in every 20 to 30 acres is not too high if proper zones of fire are established and adhered to.
If your goal is to decrease the number of deer on your property these hunting practices should help you achieve that. Also, bucks taken in CWD Management Zone Counties no longer have a 4-point antler restriction.
Please wear hunter orange clothing, follow all firearm safety rules, and never take a shot unless you are 100% sure of your target.
Refer to the 2024 Deer Regulations for more information.