Read more: Local, State, Environment, Outdoors
KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Many Missouri outdoorsmen took to the woods Monday in hopes of harvesting a deer or turkey. Monday marks the opening day of archery deer and turkey season in the Show Me State.
Hunters grabbed their bows and arrows and headed to their favorite hunting sites.
But if you plan to head out, we want you to do so safely. If you're using a tree stand, officials say you should take extra precaution.
“Probably the biggest injuries you see during archery deer turkey season is tree stand falls. In other words, where hunters are up in their tree stand elevated above the ground and take some sort of fall whether it be a tree stand issue or just a safety issue. Of course we recommend that anybody that's up in a tree stand should try to wear some type of harness,” says Missouri Department of Conservation Protection Division Supervisor Benny Pryor
Officials say there are plenty of deer in this area but hunters still have strict limits to follow.
“You're allowed to take two deer of either sex with your archery tag as well as turkeys. You can take two turkey of either sex during that season. You can only take one antler deer,” says Pryor.
Pryor also says if you're hunting on private property you must get permission from the landowner first. If you use public property, check the rules before you hunt because they can be different.
Archery hunting in Missouri runs from Monday through January 15th. The official hunting day begins a half hour before sunrise and ends a half hour after sunset. Firearm season begins on November 15th.
