MISSOURI
WHITETAIL
Missouri
has come along way with it’s deer herd and the Missouri Department of
Conservation and Missouri landowner’s have done a fine job on bringing back
the whitetail deer numbers.
Just
think in 1944, Missouri’s whitetail deer population was estimated around
15,000. In 2001, the estimated deer population stands right around 1 million. It
is a great to be part of a heritage that your kids will never know what it is
like not to see a deer in a Missouri field, or deer stand.
MISSOURI ECONOMY
Hunting
the whitetail deer in Missouri is just not important to the hunter or to the
heritage of hunting for which it exists in the first place. It is also very
important to the Missouri economy, which consist of hunters and non-hunters
businesses.
In
1999, Missouri hunting and fishing heritage is very strong, in this year alone
Missouri sold 1,999,600 hunting and fishing permits for a combined revenue of
$28,591,969.00 with deer hunting permits and revenue making up a large part of
this.
Deer
hunting makes up a big part of what Missouri is all about and I could not
imagine what this state would be like with out the chance at seeing a whitetail
on any given weekend.
There
are several different tags available to chase whitetail deer in Missouri but,
with the combined youth, managed hunts, firearm and archery permits for hunting
the whitetail deer, In 1999 Missouri sold 634,201 permits for a combined revenue
of $10,662,240 which comes in second only to fishing permits and revenue.
But
this is just the tip of the iceberg, In 1993 it was estimated that deer hunters
spend over $110 million annually in Missouri alone. With over $220 million in
business activity is generated by this life long tradition, for a season that
only last 3 ½ months long. I could only imagine the number is much higher
today.
MISSOURI ARCHERY HISTORY
Everyone will agree that archery has come along way from
traditional bow to today’s compound bows. Various things have changed since
1946 when archery season opened with the seasons changing from a 2-day season in
certain counties to season that now extends in to January statewide, from bucks
only to any deer.
But allow me to show how the Missouri Archery season has grown
along with the deer population. Be sure and pick out the year you harvested your
first deer to see how you did with your fellow hunters.
|
YEAR |
DATES |
PERMITS |
HARVEST |
% OF SUCCESS |
ESTIMATED DEER POPULATION |
|
1946 |
Oct.
24-26 |
73 |
0 |
0% |
50,714 |
|
1947 |
Oct.
28 - Nov. 1 |
39 |
0 |
0% |
68,571 |
|
1948 |
Nov.
29 - Dec. 4 |
62 |
0 |
0% |
86,428 |
|
1949 |
Nov.
26 - Dec. 4 |
54 |
0 |
0% |
104,285 |
|
1950 |
Nov.
13 - 22 |
64 |
1 |
2% |
122,142 |
|
1951 |
Oct.
22-24 |
77 |
0 |
0% |
139,999 |
|
1952 |
Oct.
16-31 |
214 |
2 |
1% |
157,856 |
|
1953 |
Oct.
16-31 |
481 |
5 |
1% |
175,713 |
|
1954 |
Oct.
1-31 |
1,053 |
22 |
2% |
193,570 |
|
1955 |
Oct.
1-31 |
1,506 |
37 |
2% |
211,427 |
|
1956 |
Oct.
1-31 |
2,075 |
33 |
2% |
229,284 |
|
1957 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 30 |
2,720 |
58 |
2% |
247,141 |
|
1958 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
3,670 |
71 |
2% |
264,998 |
|
1959 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
4,495 |
90 |
2% |
282,855 |
|
1960 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
4,468 |
263 |
6% |
300,712 |
|
1961 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
5190 |
116 |
2% |
318,569 |
|
1962 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
6,035 |
231 |
4% |
336,426 |
|
1963 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
7,324 |
68 |
1% |
354,283 |
|
1964 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
9,599 |
316 |
3% |
372,140 |
|
1965 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
10,756 |
371 |
3% |
389,997 |
|
1966 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
11,878 |
458 |
4% |
407,854 |
|
1967 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
13,561 |
380 |
3% |
425,711 |
|
1968 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 15 |
15,510 |
559 |
4% |
443,568 |
|
1969 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 31 |
14,709 |
619 |
4% |
461,425 |
|
1970 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 31 |
16,950 |
828 |
5% |
479,282 |
|
1971 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 13 |
17,840 |
962 |
5% |
497,139 |
|
1972 |
Oct.
1 - Dec. 13 |
21,493 |
1,130 |
5% |
514,996 |
|
1973 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 16,Nov.26 - Dec. 31 |
25,254 |
1,285 |
5% |
532,853 |
|
1974 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 15,Nov.25 - Dec. 31 |
27,871 |
1,437 |
5% |
550,710 |
|
1975 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 14,Nov.24 - Dec. 31 |
29,974 |
1,850 |
6% |
568,567 |
|
1976 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 12,Nov.22 - Dec. 31 |
31,281 |
1,973 |
6% |
586,424 |
|
1977 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 18,Nov.28 - Dec. 31 |
33,239 |
2,199 |
7% |
604,281 |
|
1978 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 17,Nov.27 - Dec. 31 |
34,368 |
2,781 |
8% |
622,138 |
|
1979 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 16,Nov.26 - Dec. 31 |
41,115 |
3,327 |
8% |
639,995 |
|
1980 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 14,Nov.24 - Dec. 31 |
46,548 |
3,661 |
8% |
657,852 |
|
1981 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 13,Nov.23 - Dec. 31 |
46,776 |
3,495 |
7% |
675,709 |
|
1982 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 12,Nov.22 - Dec. 31 |
47,931 |
4,191 |
9% |
693,566 |
|
1983 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 11,Nov.21 - Dec. 31 |
52,666 |
4,626 |
9% |
711,423 |
|
1984 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 9,Nov.19 - Dec. 31 |
56,378 |
5,134 |
9% |
729,280 |
|
1985 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 15,Nov.25 - Dec. 31 |
62,731 |
5,621 |
9% |
747,137 |
|
1986 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 14,Nov.24 - Dec. 31 |
69,265 |
5,832 |
8% |
764,994 |
|
1987 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 13,Nov.23 - Dec. 31 |
75,074 |
8,077 |
11% |
782,851 |
|
1988 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 11,Nov.21 - Dec. 31 |
82,612 |
10,183 |
12% |
800,708 |
|
1989 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 10,Nov.20 - Dec. 31 |
83,440 |
10,970 |
13% |
818,565 |
|
1990 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 9,Nov.19 - Dec. 31 |
83,723 |
11,118 |
13% |
836,422 |
|
1991 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 15,Nov.25 - Dec. 31 |
91,656 |
14,096 |
15% |
854,279 |
|
1992 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 13,Nov.23 - Dec. 31 |
94,809 |
15,029 |
16% |
872,136 |
|
1993 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 12,Nov.22 - Dec. 31 |
93,729 |
14,696 |
16% |
889,993 |
|
1994 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 11,Nov.21 - Dec. 31 |
97,441 |
17,136 |
18% |
907,850 |
|
1995 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 10,Nov.22 - Jan. 15 |
98,601 |
20,077 |
20% |
925,707 |
|
1996 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 15,Nov.22 - Jan. 15 |
101,494 |
23,566 |
23% |
943,564 |
|
1997 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 14,Nov.26 - Jan. 15 |
93,402 |
20,915 |
22% |
961,421 |
|
1998 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 13,Nov.25 - Jan. 15 |
96,373 |
21,190 |
22% |
979,278 |
|
1999 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 12,Nov.24 - Jan. 15 |
97,351 |
23,510 |
24% |
997,135 |
|
2000 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 10,Nov.22 - Jan. 15 |
96,980 |
23,558 |
24% |
1,014,992 |
|
2001 |
Oct.
1 - Nov. 15,Nov.22 - Jan. 15 |
97,245 |
no
data |
|
1,032,849 |
Some of the years above include the
following.
·
1960 includes 136 deer from special archery hunt in Knob Noster
State Park.
·
First year for combination resident archer’s deer and turkey
permit.
·
1988 Two deer allowed during archery season for first time.
·
% of success does not show the number of hunters that take
multiple deer.
Some more information, short but sweet, Hopefully this will
allow you to see any new trends with any new season changes that have occurred
or may occur in the future.
Also I am not sure why the total harvest numbers are different
than above. These are the number the M.D.C passes along to me.
|
YEAR |
PERMITS |
PRE-FIREARMS SEASON |
% OF SUCCESS - PRE |
POST-FIREARMS SEASON |
% OF SUCCESS - POST |
|
1998 |
96,373 |
17,439 |
18% |
3,777 |
4% |
|
1999 |
97,351 |
20,203 |
21% |
3,126 |
3% |
|
2000 |
96,980 |
20,274 |
21% |
3,415 |
4% |
|
2001 |
97,245 |
no
data |
|
no
data |
|
Also
for some on how numbers break down on success in the Year 2000.
Hunters
that took 1 deer =16,341
Hunters that took 2 deer = 2,350
Hunters that took 3 deer = 155
Hunters that took 4 deer = 45
Hunters that took 5 deer = 26
Hunters that took 6 deer = 10
Hunters
that took 7 deer =
3
So
the actually success rate for one hunter to take one deer goes down to 21%
instead of 24%
Also I am not sure why the total harvest
numbers are different than above. These are the numbers the M.D.C passes along
to me.
MISSOURI FIREARMS HISTORY
Firearms
season is a life long tradition of deer camps, family gatherings and friends
getting away from it all. Season dates have change, lengths of season has
changed and of course the youth season which allows are kids to enjoy the
heritage of deer hunting in Missouri also. Along with the very sought after
managed hunts that help keep the deer population under check. Since 90% of the 2nd
year does have twins and can double a deer herd population in 3 years.
Here
are the numbers see how we did when we first harvested a deer in Missouri.
|
YEAR |
DATES |
PERMITS |
HARVEST |
% OF SUCCESS |
ESTIMATED DEER POPULATION |
|
1944 |
Nov.
3-4 |
7,557 |
583 |
8% |
15,000 |
|
1945 |
Nov.
1-3 |
11,196 |
882 |
8% |
32,857 |
|
1946 |
Nov.
1-2 |
15,079 |
743 |
5% |
50,714 |
|
1947 |
Nov.
6-8 |
17,747 |
1,387 |
8% |
68,571 |
|
1948 |
Dec.
6-10 |
20,708 |
1,432 |
7% |
86,428 |
|
1949 |
Dec.
6-10 |
19,103 |
1,353 |
7% |
104,285 |
|
1950 |
Nov.
27 - Dec. 2 |
18,749 |
1,623 |
9% |
122,142 |
|
1951 |
Nov.
5-7 |
30,237 |
5,519 |
18% |
139,999 |
|
1952 |
Dec.
4-6 |
37,791 |
7,466 |
20% |
157,856 |
|
1953 |
Nov.
5-7 |
45,015 |
7,864 |
17% |
175,713 |
|
1954 |
Nov.
3-6 |
45,889 |
7,648 |
17% |
193,570 |
|
1955 |
Nov.
1-5 |
48,524 |
7,988 |
16% |
211,427 |
|
1956 |
Oct.
30 - Nov. 3 |
49,106 |
7,864 |
16% |
229,284 |
|
1957 |
Nov.
5-9 |
49,907 |
9,986 |
20% |
247,141 |
|
1958 |
Nov.
17-22 |
59,392 |
13,610 |
23% |
264,998 |
|
1959 |
Nov.
16-21 |
68,282 |
16,306 |
24% |
282,855 |
|
1960 |
Nov.
15-21 |
85,931 |
17,418 |
20% |
300,712 |
|
1961 |
Nov.
15-21 |
90,346 |
15,967 |
18% |
318,569 |
|
1962 |
Nov.
15-21 |
102,785 |
16,516 |
16% |
336,426 |
|
1963 |
Nov.
15-21 |
105,501 |
17,304 |
16% |
354,283 |
|
1964 |
Nov.
13-19 |
121,713 |
20,619 |
17% |
372,140 |
|
1965 |
Nov.
15-21 |
110,093 |
18,785 |
17% |
389,997 |
|
1966 |
Nov.
12-18 |
130,642 |
27,965 |
21% |
407,854 |
|
1967 |
Nov.
18-22 & Dec. 1-3 |
150,105 |
22,802 |
15% |
425,711 |
|
1968 |
Nov.
16-19 & Nov. 30 - Dec. 7 |
159,262 |
22,090 |
14% |
443,568 |
|
1969 |
Nov.
15-24 |
144,436 |
23,265 |
16% |
461,425 |
|
1970 |
Nov.
14-23 |
164,074 |
28,400 |
17% |
479,282 |
|
1971 |
Nov.
13-21 |
172,299 |
31,722 |
18% |
497,139 |
|
1972 |
Nov.
18-26 |
186,708 |
30,084 |
16% |
514,996 |
|
1973 |
Nov.
17-25 |
210,770 |
33,438 |
16% |
532,853 |
|
1974 |
Nov.
16-24 |
213,191 |
29,262 |
14% |
550,710 |
|
1975 |
Nov.
15-23 |
234,471 |
51,823 |
22% |
568,567 |
|
1976 |
Nov.
13-21 |
232,765 |
40,683 |
17% |
586,424 |
|
1977 |
Nov.
19-27 |
250,192 |
36,562 |
15% |
604,281 |
|
1978 |
Nov.
18-26 |
246,803 |
40,261 |
16% |
622,138 |
|
1979 |
Nov.
17-25 |
268,275 |
53,164 |
20% |
639,995 |
|
1980 |
Nov.
15-23 |
269,110 |
49,426 |
18% |
657,852 |
|
1981 |
Nov.
14-22 |
267,826 |
50,183 |
19% |
675,709 |
|
1982 |
Nov.
13-21 |
275,182 |
55,852 |
20% |
693,566 |
|
1983 |
Nov.
12-20 |
287,669 |
57,801 |
20% |
711,423 |
|
1984 |
Nov.
10-18 |
296,334 |
71,569 |
24% |
729,280 |
|
1985 |
Nov.
16-24 |
320,318 |
80,792 |
25% |
747,137 |
|
1986 |
Nov.
15-23 |
339,323 |
102,879 |
30% |
764,994 |
|
1987 |
Nov.
14-22 |
375,262 |
132,500 |
35% |
782,851 |
|
1988 |
Nov.
12-20 |
408,761 |
136,726 |
33% |
800,708 |
|
1989 |
Nov.
11-19 |
425,564 |
157,506 |
37% |
818,565 |
|
1990 |
Nov.
10-18 |
444,315 |
161,857 |
36% |
836,422 |
|
1991 |
Nov.
16-24 |
446,569 |
149,112 |
33% |
854,279 |
|
1992 |
Nov.
14-22 |
451,173 |
150,873 |
33% |
872,136 |
|
1993 |
Nov.
13-21 |
460,575 |
156,704 |
34% |
889,993 |
|
1994 |
Nov.
12-20 |
462,588 |
163,468 |
35% |
907,850 |
|
1995 |
Nov.
11-21 |
476,483 |
187,406 |
39% |
925,707 |
|
1996 |
Nov.
16-26 & Jan. 4-5 |
505,540 |
190,770 |
38% |
943,564 |
|
1997 |
Nov.
15-25 & Jan. 3-4 |
548,071 |
196,283 |
36% |
961,421 |
|
1998 |
Nov.
14-24 & Jan. 2-5 |
514,337 |
202,679 |
39% |
979,278 |
|
1999 |
Nov.
13-23,Dec. 4-12,Jan. 8-11 |
524,668 |
194,991 |
37% |
997,135 |
|
2000 |
Nov.
11-23,Dec. 2-10,Jan. 6-9 |
546,754 |
220,495 |
40% |
1,014,992 |
|
2001 |
Oct.27-28,Nov.10-20,Dec.1-9,Jan.
5-8 |
No
Data |
229,197 |
No
Data |
1,032,849 |
Some of the years above include the
following.
·
1970 Deer
Management Unit system initiated – ten (10) units established.
·
1974
Quota system established in limited unit.
·
1975
Number of units increased to twelve (12)
·
1978
Number of units increased to twenty-three (23)
·
1980
Quota system expanded to statewide.
·
1986
Number of units increased to fifty-seven (57)
·
1987
Bonus “antlerless-only” Deer system initiated.
·
1988
Beginning this year, muzzleloading permits and harvest are included in totals.
·
1996
January Extension initiated and number of units increased to fifty-nine (59)
·
1999
Beginning this year, muzzleloading season is part of firearms deer hunting
season.
·
2001
Beginning this year a two-day Youth-Only Portion of the firearms season was
implemented.
·
% of success does not show the number of hunters that take
multiple deer.
CONCLUSION
I hope
you find this information en lighting on how past season dates and how many
hunters have joined us over the years. If you are looking for more history about
Missouri whitetial deer population go to the following link. http://www.conservation.state.mo.us./hunt/deer/ The Missouri
Department of Conservation has additional information about season and
regulations.