Last year nearly 25,000 hunters applied for almost 6,000 permits to hunt for deer in 143 managed locations in Missouri. This year’s annual application period is open through July 31, so now is the time to study the results from previous seasons to determine when and where work best for you.
The Managed Hunts page at the state Department of Conservation website (mdc.mo.gov) has the application and includes links to data from previous years, so hunters can review statistics to gauge their chances for being selected and for harvesting deer at most locations.
The primary factor in completing an application is that hunters may choose only one hunt. The drawing is conducted through the department website and accumulates preference points for those who were not selected in previous years and thereby can earn extra chances.
If simply getting picked to participate is success enough, be aware that everyone who applied last year had their names drawn for two archery hunts in Cape Girardeau, one at Caney Mountain Conservation Area in Ozark County and one at Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area in northern St. Charles County. Applicants also had 100-percent draw rates for a muzzleloader hunt at Forest 44 Conservation Area in western St. Louis County and a firearms hunt at Weldon Springs.
Those six events were obvious exceptions among the 143 hunts last year. The most popular opportunities in 2024 were an archery hunt at Jefferson Barracks Park in St. Louis County with 942 applicants for 30 permits, 1,115 people who applied for 75 chances to hunt at Whetstone Creek Conservation Area in Callaway County, and 1,207 hunters who wanted one of 100 spots at Cuivre River State Park in Lincoln County.
The statistic that may matter most is the success rate for those who participate. Notable in last year’s data was the work of five hunters who were selected from among 40 applicants for the archery hunt at McDonnell County Park in St. Louis County. They took home 12 deer in the effort to reduce the population at that small park.
Jefferson Barracks has a well-earned reputation for deer density. That’s why so many people apply for the 20 permits available there. Sixteen of the 20 hunters last year harvested 29 deer from the park.
Places like the St. Louis County Parks and Missouri State Parks are included in the managed hunt program to assist with population control. Those options are usually good places to consider for hunters who are interested in putting meat in their freezers. Proximity is also a key consideration.
In addition to the St. Louis County Parks archery hunts, Jefferson County hunters may want to consider regional locations like the August A. Busch Conservation Area in St. Charles County and the Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers in north St. Louis County.
Other nearby hunts include the Fabick Nature Preserve near Fenton, Rockwoods Range and Rockwoods Reservation near Eureka, Dr. Edmund Babler and Castlewood State Parks in west St. Louis County, Robertsville State Park in Franklin County and St. Joe State Park in St. Francois County. Last year 22 hunters at St. Joe harvested 51 deer.
The managed deer hunt program also has special events exclusively for youth, disabled hunters and women. A beginner category added recently offers hunts for anyone who has never taken a deer in the past to hunt with a mentor. Most hunts have pre-event meetings with mandatory attendance.
Hunters should review all of their options and hope for the best in finding an opportunity that fits their circumstances. Results will be posted online in August.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas for the Leader outdoor news page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and you can find more outdoor news and updates at johnjwink.com.