Missouri hunters report a deer harvest of 70,173 during the opening weekend of the firearms season, marking an increase from last year’s figures but falling short of the five-year average. The Missouri Department of Conservation notes a significant decline from the state’s usual harvest numbers, which have historically ranged from 89,000 to 99,470 in recent years.
Barry County saw 1,384 deer harvested, a drop from 1,671 last season, while Lawrence County’s count decreased from 1,424 to 1,214. The primary counties for harvest included Franklin with 3,609, Howell with 2,974, and Wayne with 2,713. Conservation officials suggest that higher temperatures during the season could be influencing the lower deer totals this year.
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