Hunting in Missouri: 4 Things to Know About Urban Deer Hunting in Cities and Suburbs

Sportsmen interested in hunting in Missouri have the option of participating in urban deer hunting in the state’s cities and suburbs. But with the shrinking population of deer in the state, authorities have begun to propose more limited hunting in recent years.

Here are four things to know about urban deer hunting in Missouri.

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1. The hunter has plenty of research to do to be in compliance with the law.
"Missouri’s metropolitan areas are a complex mix of municipal and county governments, each with its own jurisdiction and set of laws. Some of these governments allow the use of hunting equipment such as firearms, crossbows, and bows within their boundaries. Others do not. With a little research and hard work, metro hunters can successfully find a close-to-home hunting spot," the Missouri Department of Conservation said.

2. Searching the Internet is an easy way to find a city's rules for urban hunting. The relevant local ordinances usually can be found in the weapons section of a city's municipal code. For more information about the ordinances, one also could contact that city's police department.

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3. The number of deer taken during urban hunting has declined.
Hunters in Missouri checked 594 deer during the urban portion of the 2014 deer season, compared with an average of 961 during the past 11 years, according to KSPR-TV. For the past six year, the number of deer taken during this portion of the season has been between 500 and 700.

4. There has been concern about the state's dwindling deer population, and as a result, the DOC in February 2015 proposed eliminating hunting in urban zones during the firearm season, the Columbia Tribune reported. According to the department's website, the 2015 firearm season for deer in urban areas runs from Oct. 9-12. Hunters should contact the DOC to determine the specific rules before hunting.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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