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For the past two seasons, deer hunters in 29 northern & central Missouri counties could only take a buck with at least four antler points on one side of its rack. The regulation attempts to shift harvest pressure from bucks to doe's, to better manage the state's herd and to improve the quality of future deer populations. Now, some hunters are interested in expanding the regulation to other parts of Missouri.
The pilot antler-point restriction program was designed to operate for 3-5 years, for a meaningful evaluation of the impacts to deer numbers and hunter satisfaction. Bioligists assessing the program are equally concerned about opinions of hunters and landowners, as they are about harvest data from recent seasons.
Because of increasing interest in antler restrictions, a series of public meetings was held to measure public desire for expanding the program in a group of Missouri's southeastern counties (Bollinger, Cape Giradeau, Madison, Perry, Ste. Genevieve, Scott, Stoddard, Wayne), and west-central counties (Bates, Benton, Cedar, Hickory, St. Clair, Vernon). Additionally, county results from a 2004 mail survey to landowners, archers & firearm hunters were reviewed.
Due to concerns over smaller deer densities in southern parts of the state, it appears public opposition to a 4-point restriction grows as one moves south & southeast. The restriction was viewed by many as a reduction in the opportunity to harvest a deer.
In west-central Missouri, deer densities are higher and respondents have greater opportunities to harvest a deer. Yet, residents in west-central expressed higher levels of concern over expansion into their counties than hunters in the 29 pilot program counties.
Based upon public response, and the need for a more thorough evaluations of implications of a 4-point restriction, the Conservation Commision voted to continue the existing pilot study in northern & central Missouri through the 2006 season. Data about deer harvests and hunter's attitudes will then be reviewed for 2007 deer seasons, to determine if antler restrictions can produce higher quality deer populations elsewhere.
The pilot antler-point restriction program was designed to operate for 3-5 years, for a meaningful evaluation of the impacts to deer numbers and hunter satisfaction. Bioligists assessing the program are equally concerned about opinions of hunters and landowners, as they are about harvest data from recent seasons.
Because of increasing interest in antler restrictions, a series of public meetings was held to measure public desire for expanding the program in a group of Missouri's southeastern counties (Bollinger, Cape Giradeau, Madison, Perry, Ste. Genevieve, Scott, Stoddard, Wayne), and west-central counties (Bates, Benton, Cedar, Hickory, St. Clair, Vernon). Additionally, county results from a 2004 mail survey to landowners, archers & firearm hunters were reviewed.
Due to concerns over smaller deer densities in southern parts of the state, it appears public opposition to a 4-point restriction grows as one moves south & southeast. The restriction was viewed by many as a reduction in the opportunity to harvest a deer.
In west-central Missouri, deer densities are higher and respondents have greater opportunities to harvest a deer. Yet, residents in west-central expressed higher levels of concern over expansion into their counties than hunters in the 29 pilot program counties.
Based upon public response, and the need for a more thorough evaluations of implications of a 4-point restriction, the Conservation Commision voted to continue the existing pilot study in northern & central Missouri through the 2006 season. Data about deer harvests and hunter's attitudes will then be reviewed for 2007 deer seasons, to determine if antler restrictions can produce higher quality deer populations elsewhere.
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