Macon County hunters checked 132 deer during the firearms early antlerless portion Oct. 9-11, more than any neighboring county and sixth in the state, according to preliminary Missouri Department of Conservation figures.
The county's tally included 113 does, 13 button bucks, and six antlered bucks, according to the department's Telecheck harvest table. Hunters in Macon County checked 142 deer during last year's early antlerless portion, the table shows, so this year's count was down 10.
Statewide, hunters harvested 6,524 deer over the three days, according to a department news release Tuesday. The county-by-county Telecheck table totaled 6,528. Both figures are preliminary; the table notes that official numbers come out after the seasons end and the data are cleaned of duplicates and incorrect entries.
Last year's early antlerless harvest was 8,494, according to the release. The department said record to near-record high temperatures cut into this year's total.
Franklin County led the state with 203 deer, followed by Howell with 181 and Jefferson with 177, according to the release.
Among counties bordering Macon, the Telecheck table showed Monroe with 98 deer, Randolph with 83, Linn with 72, Chariton with 52, Knox with 49, Shelby with 44, and Adair with 41. Adair and Shelby each checked fewer than last year, when the table showed 53 and 87.
Deer season continues through Jan. 15. Archery season runs through Nov. 13 and reopens Nov. 25 through Jan. 15, 2027. The early youth portion is Oct. 24-25, and the November firearms portion runs Nov. 14-24.
The late youth portion follows Nov. 27-29, and the late antlerless portion runs Dec. 5-13 in select counties. The alternative methods portion is Dec. 26 through Jan. 5, 2027.
County harvest totals are posted at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.