KIRKSVILLE, MO --
It was a busy day for the Missouri Department of Conservation as hunters were out in force for the opening day of firearms deer season.
Statewide, 42,000 deer were harvested at last check. 591 of those deer were checked in Adair County. Missouri is well on its way to reaching last year's number of 100,000 deer killed on opening weekend.
“It seems like more people on the areas this year. We kind of attribute that to if you remember last year gas prices were high and with the way the economy is, more people are out hunting for food and so we're seeing a slight increase in the number of people that are out on opening day anyway,” said Mike Jones, Wildlife Regional Supervisor.
No accidents have been reported in the Northeast region, but the Conservation Department reminds everyone to wear hunter orange and always keep safety on your mind.
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