The Missouri Department of Conservation usually sets the fall deer and turkey seasons around July 1. This is when all the previous years harvest data had been compiled and biologists can make accurate assessment of deer and turkey populations. In most years there are not many drastic changes, however; it is the hunters’ responsibility to check new regulations and season dates. Just because it has been that way for years won’t be a factor if you are in violation of the law.

Here are some frequently asked questions that pop up every year:

• Use of bait while hunting—which includes grain or other feed placed or scattered so as to attract deer or turkeys—is illegal.
• An area is considered baited for 10 days even after complete removal of the bait.
• A hunter can be in violation even if he or she did not know an area was or is baited.
• It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.
• Scents and minerals, including salt, are not considered bait, however, mineral blocks with grain and food additives are prohibited.

The Youth Deer & Turkey Hunting Permit and Youth Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit can be used by residents and nonresidents ages 6 through 15 who are not hunter education certified, but are hunting in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult hunter who has in his or her possession a valid hunter education certificate card. The adult, however, may not hunt deer during the youth portion of the firearms deer season.

• Immediate presence
o means close enough for normal conversation, without shouting.
• Properly licensed
o means a valid firearms hunting permit for the appropriate season (i.e., either a filled or unfilled Firearms Deer or a Fall Firearms Turkey Hunting Permit).
• Adult
o means someone age 17 or older.
• Valid hunter education certificate card
o means the adult must be hunter education certified, except that landowners
or lessees born before Jan. 1, 1967, accompanying youth hunters on the landowners’ or lessees’ property are exempt.
In addition, adults accompanying youths hunting deer on youth firearms deer hunting permits must wear hunter orange. Regardless of age, the youth must be capable of holding, aiming and shooting the firearm by him or herself.
Resident
• A person who does not claim resident privileges in another state or country, and whose actual and legal residence are both in Missouri and have been for at least the last 30 days.

Hunter Orange

• All firearms deer hunters are required to wear a cap or hat and also a shirt, vest or coat of hunter orange so that the color is plainly visible from all sides. Camouflage orange does not satisfy this requirement.

Hog Hunting

• Feral hogs may be taken in any number throughout the year. During most of the year, no permit is required and any method, including baiting and the use of dogs, is allowed. However, special restrictions apply during the fall firearms deer and turkey hunting seasons.
As always, make sure and pick up a 2008 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting pamphlet to check for any changes that you may be unaware of. You may also call you local Missouri Department of Conservation service center or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/

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