Summary of Public Responses

Deer seasons are set based on a blend of biological and social factors. Since the first modern deer season in 1944 regulations have changed dramatically as deer numbers and public interests evolved. Despite the many season and rule changes, the goal of Missouri’s deer herd management has always remained the same: to ensure a healthy deer herd that is managed in ways that meet the desires of hunters, landowners and the general public.

In 2007 the Conservation Department began examining regulation options for the 2008 and 2009 deer seasons. Based on the best biological information a number of potential changes to the deer season were outlined and then extensive public input was sought. This input came from random surveys of deer hunters and farming landowners, a series of 16 public meetings held across the state in early 2008, and comments from the public who viewed online presentations of potential changes.

Public input was substantial and, of course, varied. Over 4,000 people attended the 16 public meetings and nearly 9,000 online and written comments were received. These comments were then summarized, and the input was used to assist biologists in making final deer season recommendations to the Conservation Commission.

Public opinion on season timing changes given different sources of input.  Overall public meeting attendance totaled around 4,000.
  October antlerless Moving November portion Moving muzzleloader portion All season timing
% Favor % Oppose N % Favor % Oppose N % Favor % Oppose N % Favor % Oppose N
Verbal comments at public meetings 20 80 46 31 69 49 29 71 17 16 84 135
Written comments at public meetings 20 80 60 44 56 68 66 34 35 56 44 1365
Written comments - outside of public meetings 43 57 802 46 54 773 51 49 715 49 51 1371
Web-based comments 56 44 4059 58 42 4055 62 38 3826 59 41 5942
Random survey – hunters1 39 38 8655 53 29 8655 54 8 8655 50 30 8655
Random survey – landowners1 50 25 3476 42 28 3476 46 9 3476 47 24 3476
Random survey – small game hunters 33 38 1826 47 33 1833 47 14 1821 NA NA NA

1"No opinions" not included in the table so a sum of the percentages will not equal 100.

Public opinion about the antler restriction given different sources of input.
Overall public meeting attendance totaled around 4,000.
Source of Information Percentage Sample Size
Favor Oppose
Verbal comments at public meetings 68 32 94
Written comments at public meetings 70 30 1399
Written comments - outside of public meetings 68 32 1421
Web-based comments 71 29 5993
Random survey - hunters 52 39 8655
Random survey - landowners 54 21 3476

Public response to moving the November portion of the firearms deer season one week later so that it opens on the weekend before Thanksgiving. chart showing public response to moving firearms deer season later.

Public response to moving the antlerless portion of the firearms deer season from December to early October. chart showing public response to moving antlerless season to early October

Public response to moving the muzzleloader portion of the firearms deer season to late December. chart showing public response to moving muzzleloader season to late December

Public response to making all three season timing changes to the firearms deer season.chart showing overall public response to proposed changes in firearms deer season