Missouri Hunters Harvest More Than 70,000 Deer on Opening Weekend

Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - Missouri hunters got off to a strong start in the November portion of firearms deer season, harvesting 70,173 deer over the weekend, according to preliminary totals from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The top harvest counties were Franklin with 1,761 deer checked, Howell with 1,269, and Wayne with 1,232. This year’s opening weekend saw an increase from 2024, when hunters checked 68,057 deer during the same period.

Officials expect totals to continue rising as the season progresses.