Temporary Deer Stands Need to be Removed from Mark Twain National Forest

ROLLA, Missouri – Hunters who put up temporary deer stands on Mark Twain National Forest need to remove them.

Portable deer hunting tree stands are permitted to be placed on Mark Twain National Forest two weeks before deer season.

Portable deer hunting tree stands are to be removed no later than two weeks after the close of archery deer season, which ended on January 15, 2012.

Tree stands discovered on Mark Twain National Forest after January 30, 2012, are subject to seizure and impoundment under 36 CFR 261.58V.

Permanent deer stands are prohibited. Permanent deer stands are any wooden or metal structure that has been attached or fixed to a tree and used for the purpose of hunting deer when in season.

Any permanent deer stands found on Mark Twain National Forest will be treated as unauthorized structures, prohibited under law and regulation, and are subject to removal under 36 CFR 261.10A.

In addition, use of screw-in steps, screws or nails, and any material that would damage trees is also prohibited.

When using temporary portable deer stands on Mark Twain National Forest, the temporary portable deer stand must have the full name, address, and telephone number of the user. Stands that don’t have identifying information are unauthorized structures and can also be impounded by Mark Twain National Forest law enforcement personnel.

If you have questions concerning Mark Twain National Forest’s deer stand policy, please contact Toby Barton, Poplar Bluff Ranger District law enforcement officer; 1420 Maud Street, Poplar Bluff, MO, or by phone at (573) 785-1475.

You can also contact Sam Beaty, Eleven Point Ranger District law enforcement officer; #4 Confederate Ridge Road, Doniphan MO, or by phone at (573) 996-2153.