The Missouri Conservation Department says deer hunters bagged nearly 239-thousand animals during the most recent firearms hunting season.  That’s up over 7-thousand from a year ago, but still below the 10 year average in Missouri.

State game officials says the sharp departure from the 10 year average can be blamed on small deer populations in once popular deer hunting areas in Central and Northern Missouri.

Deer hunting numbers in Southwest Missouri have gradually climbed in recent years.

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The Missouri Conservation Department says deer hunters bagged nearly 239-thousand animals during the most recent firearms hunting season.  That’s up over 7-thousand from a year ago.