Also known as: Whitetail
In summer, the coat is reddish-brown to tan above; in winter it shifts to grayish or grayish brown. The belly, chin, throat, and underside of the tail remain white year-round. Fawns are reddish brown with white spots, losing them at 3-4 months as they transition to their first winter coat. Antlers occur only in males, grown annually starting in April and shed mostly in February and March, reaching a total length of approximately 6 feet with females weighing 110-145 pounds and males 155-195 pounds.
Habitat & Range
Deer occupy a broad range of habitats but in Missouri are associated closely with timbered areas. They particularly use transition zones between woodlands and clearings or agricultural fields, where they forage on many plant species.
Life History
Deer are herbivores, eating leaves, twigs, fruits, nuts, herbaceous foliage, grasses, agricultural crops, and occasionally fungi, mosses, and lichens. The peak of mating (rutting) is in mid-November, gestation lasts around 200 days, and most young are born in late May or early June, typically twins, though single fawns or triplets can occur. Most does first breed at 1.5 years of age, and deer can live 15 years in the wild and 25 in captivity.
Status, Trends & Threats
Listed as Common. The most significant disease threat is chronic wasting disease (CWD), first detected in Missouris wild herd in 2012, a fatal prion disease that causes emaciation and death. Management focuses on promoting healthy populations, providing hunting and viewing opportunities, and limiting disease impacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is white-tailed deer hunting season in Missouri?
Missouri deer hunting seasons typically include archery season starting in September, firearms season in November (including the opening weekend and November rut), and alternative methods and late youth seasons in December and January. Specific dates vary by year and deer management unit.
What is the bag limit for white-tailed deer in Missouri?
Missouri deer bag limits vary by county and permit type. Generally, hunters can harvest multiple deer across different seasons (archery, firearms, and antlerless permits), but limits depend on the deer management unit. An antlered deer limit of one applies statewide with the firearms deer hunting permit.
What is the best way to hunt white-tailed deer in Missouri?
Popular methods include stand hunting from tree stands or ground blinds near scrapes, rubs, and travel corridors, as well as still-hunting and stalking during the rut. Scouting for acorn flats, field edges, and water sources is key to success in Missouris diverse habitats.
