Fewer deer killed during rainy opening weekend of firearms season

JEFFERSON CITY — Steady rain contributed to a decline in the number of deer killed during the opening weekend of the firearms season, state officials said.

The state Department of Conservation said 86,202 deer were killed last weekend — 12 percent less than last year's opening weekend.

Hunters in Boone County reported killing 923 deer through late afternoon Tuesday. That figure included 428 antlered bucks, 120 button bucks and 375 does.

A real-time summary of the deer kill statewide is available at the Missouri Department of Conservation Web site.

Missouri's firearms deer season began Saturday and runs through Nov. 24.

Conservation agency scientist Lonnie Hansen said the Saturday figures actually were slightly better than last year's. He said the big drop-off occurred Sunday, when parts of the state were hit with heavy rain.