Nearly 6,000 deer hunters will have a chance to participate in more than 100 managed hunts through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) from mid-September through January. Hunters can apply online for these managed deer hunts beginning July 1 through Aug. 15.
MDC holds an electronic drawing to determine who gets to participate in managed deer hunts at conservation areas, state parks, national wildlife refuges and urban parks. The hunts are open to Missouri residents and nonresidents, and help achieve MDC’s deer-management goals for the state while also providing additional hunting opportunities.
Types of hunts include archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, historic methods and modern firearms, plus youth hunts and hunts for people with disabilities.
Hunt dates, locations and other details will be listed on the managed hunt application page on the MDC website starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/node/8712. Details about managed hunts will also soon be available in the 2013 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations & Information booklet available at MDC offices, online at mdc.mo.gov, and from permit vendors around the state.
Hunters may apply individually or as groups of up to six, except for youth hunts. Youths 11 years of age or older who are hunter education certified may apply singly or with one other youth for youth hunts and must be accompanied on the hunt by a qualified adult mentor.
Applicants will need a nine-digit Conservation ID number for each hunter to complete the application process. Conservation ID numbers are listed on all hunting and fishing permits, and on Missouri Conservation Heritage Cards.
MDC will post drawing results at the same website address from Sept. 14 to Dec. 31. Successful applicants will receive area maps and other information regarding their hunts by mail.
Resident or nonresident managed deer hunting permits are required to participate in managed hunts. These permits will be available to successful applicants after Sept. 14 from any permit vendor statewide, or through MDC’s e-Permits at mdc.mo.gov.
MDC implemented a weighted preference point system in 2007 to give unsuccessful applicants for managed deer hunts an advantage in future drawings. Hunters who apply for the first time or who were drawn for hunts the previous year are statistically less likely to be drawn than those who entered but were not drawn in previous years.
Beginning in 2014, the managed deer hunt application timeframe will be shortened, and run July 1-31. This change is being made to allow more time for hunters to be notified of their selection for early-season managed hunts.
For more information on MDC managed deer hunts, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/3867.
Hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, and who are 16 or older, must successfully complete an approved hunter education course to qualify to buy firearms hunting permits and participate in managed hunts. Youth 6 through 15 may hunt without
hunter education certification when accompanied by a qualified adult mentor during managed hunts open to all. Mentors also are required to be hunter-education certified, unless exempt by age.
Hunter education classes fill up quickly as hunting seasons approach. Enrolling early will ensure against the disappointment of not getting into a class and not getting to hunt.
The MDC hunter education curriculum has been recently revised to enhance student convenience and emphasize mentorship and hands-on training. The new, more flexible version is divided into two parts. The first part provides necessary knowledge about hunting equipment, safety, and ethics through either an online course, a self-paced student manual, or through a four-hour classroom session. The second part consists of a mandatory four-hour hands-on skills session and a 35-question multiple-choice exam. For more information on hunter education, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/3095.
