47 deer killed here as archery season opens


Hayden Johns, 10, killed this 9-point buck on Sept. 22 with a crossbow from 15 yards. The buck scored just shy of 130 inches, and was taken exactly one year from Hayden's 139 3/4-inch crossbow kill in 2018. Hayden is the son of Theodosia residents Josh and Melanie Johns.

Dedicated Ozark County bow hunters have taken to the woods the last of couple weeks to fight sweltering temperatures, mosquitoes and humidity in hopes of harvesting a deer. Forecasted cooler temperatures throughout the end of the week and the weekend should provide better hunting conditions. 

At press time Tuesday, 47 deer had been killed in Ozark County since Sept. 20, opening day. Of the 47 killed, 31 were does, 14 were antlered bucks and two were button bucks. Statewide, 4,608 deer, including 2,826 does, 1,429 antlered bucks and 353 button bucks, have been killed by bow hunters since Sept. 20. 

One turkey, a juvenile hen, has been killed here so far during this year’s bow season. Statewide, 208 turkeys have been harvested. 

Deer and turkey archery season continues through Nov. 15, when firearms season takes center stage from Nov. 16 through 26. Archery season reopens Nov. 27 and continues through Jan. 15, 2020. Two sections of Missouri youth firearms seasons provide hunters age 15 and younger with an additional chance at harvesting a deer Nov. 2-3 and Nov. 29-Dec. 1. 

Alternative methods season is Dec. 28 - Jan. 7, 2020. An antlerless deer firearms season allows Ozark County hunters, as well as hunters in other antlerless deer hunting zones, to kill an additional two antlerless deer during that specified season Dec. 6-8. 

Ozark County Times

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Gainesville, MO 65655

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