Young hunters harvest more than 18,700 deer during Missouri’s early youth firearms portion

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Young hunters across Missouri harvested 18,706 deer during the state’s early firearms deer youth portion this past weekend, according to preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

The top harvest counties were Franklin with 390 deer, Howell with 389, and Pike with 366.

More information on current deer harvest totals is available at Telecheck Harvest Numbers, and past season results can be found at Deer Harvest Summaries | Missouri Department of Conservation.

Among the many successful young hunters was 11-year-old Owen Morrison of Benton, who harvested a buck on opening morning at Peck Ranch Conservation Area.

He is pictured with his father and Conservation Agent Korben Tucker, who assisted in retrieving the deer.