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JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces Missouri deer hunters can apply online for managed deer hunts beginning July 1. More than 6,000 hunters will have a chance to participate in 99 managed hunts from mid-September through January.

The Missouri Department of Conservation holds an electronic drawing to determine who gets to participate in special managed deer hunts at conservation areas, state parks, national wildlife refuges and urban parks. The hunts are open to Missouri residents and nonresidents and help achieve MDC’s deer-management goals for the state while also providing additional hunting opportunities. Types of hunts include archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, historic methods and modern firearms – plus youth hunts and hunts for persons with disabilities.

Hunt dates, locations and other details will be listed on the managed hunt application page on the MDC website starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/node/8712. Details about managed hunts also are available in the 2012 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations & Information booklet, available at MDC offices, on the MDC website and from permit vendors around the state.

Hunters may apply individually or as groups of up to six, except for youth hunts. Youths 11 years of age or older may apply singly or with one other youth and must be accompanied on the hunt by a qualified adult. Applicants need a nine-digit Conservation ID number for each hunter to complete the application process. To get a Conservation ID number, call 573-751-4115.

MDC will post drawing results at the same website address from Sept. 14 to Dec. 31. Successful applicants will receive area maps and other information regarding their hunts in the mail.

Resident or nonresident managed deer hunting permits are required to participate in managed hunts. These permits will be available to successful applicants after Sept. 14 from any permit vendor statewide.

MDC implemented a weighted preference point system in 2007 to give unsuccessful applicants for managed deer hunts an advantage in future drawings. Hunters who apply for the first time or who were drawn for hunts the previous year are statistically less likely to be drawn than those who entered but were not drawn in previous years.