It's Deer Time: MDC Managed Hunt Applications Open Monday

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. 

Jefferson County Specific

Deer hunters from Jefferson County are eligible to enter a lottery for bow hunting during four hunts in October at Beck Park near Eureka.

It is open to Jefferson County residents only. The Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department, in cooperation with the MDC, sponsors the managed deer bow hunts. 

The four hunts (which include open and special population hunts) will be in October.  Priority on two of the four hunts will be given to hunters with special needs. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations for these needs will be made available upon request. All participants must comply with all state hunting laws and regulations. 

Registration for the managed bow hunt lottery is through the Parks and Recreation Office, 725 Maple Street, Room 202, P.O. Box 100, Hilsboro, 63050.

For more information call 636-797-5334, or visit the parks department website atwww.jeffcomo.org/parks.

Statewide Hunts

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.