Deer hunters in Missouri killed 12,080 deer during the alternative-methods portion of the fall firearms deer season, according to preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
During the Dec. 22-Jan. 1 season, hunters killed 3,081 antlered bucks, 1,586 button bucks and 7,413 does. Top harvest counties were Callaway with 304 deer killed, Osage with 278 and Franklin with 263.
Figures in other Mid-Missouri counties included 109 in Cole County, 194 in Boone, 140 in Maries, 125 in Miller, 67 in Moniteau and 152 in Morgan.
The harvest total for last year's alternative-methods portion was 10,027.
Deer hunting continues for this season with statewide archery hunting through Jan. 15. For more information on deer hunting in Missouri, visit huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer.