By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation says the November firearms deer season produced the lowest harvest in the state in a decade.
The department says between Nov. 14 and 24, hunters killed slightly more than 193,000 deer. Last year, hunters took nearly 201,000.
State biologist Lonnie Hansen said most of the deer are shot during the first two days of the season. But this year, the second day of the season was cold and wet, causing a drop in numbers.
An antlerless deer season in many northern and central counties and Cape Girardeau County continues through Sunday, followed by a statewide muzzleloader season Dec. 19 to 29.
Missouri's firearms deer season closes with the second portion of the youth season on Jan. 2 and 3, while archers can hunt until Jan. 15.