News – Wednesday, November 20th 2024

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows deer hunters in Missouri harvested 68,312 deer during opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season November 16th and 17th. Of the 68,312 deer harvested, 42,283 were antlered bucks, 5,105 were button bucks, and 20,924 were does. The top harvest counties for opening weekend were Franklin with 1,627 deer harvested, Texas with 1,305, and Pike with 1,161. Last year, hunters checked 90,253 deer during opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season. Top counties in our area include Dent County with 760 deer harvested, Reynolds County reported that 632 deer were taken, Crawford County hunters nabbed 1,006 deer, Phelps County hunters took 664 deer, Shannon County hunters harvested 571 deer and Iron County saw 506 deer taken. This year’s harvest opening weekend total was lower than last year which is being attributed to the opening of November portion a week later than last year, which is almost two weeks after the peak of the rut in Missouri, this year’s abundant acorn crop, and warm temperatures. Deer hunting continues in Missouri with the firearm season through Tuesday, November 26th followed by the CWD portion November 27th through December 1st in open counties. The Late Youth portion runs November 29th to December 1st followed by the Late Antlerless portion starting December 7th and lasting until the 15th in open counties. The Alternative Methods portion of the hunting season will be from December 28th through January 7th, 2025. The archery deer season reopens Wednesday, November 27 and runs through January 15th, 2025. Get more information on Missouri deer hunting from MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov. 

As winter approaches Missourians should consider these winter weather preparedness tips. Be sure to create a family emergency plan and emergency kit. Emergency supplies should include bottled water, canned and dry foods, battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, manual can opener and a first-aid kit. When power outages are possible, charge cell phones and other devices in advance so you are able to communicate if power is lost. Assemble a vehicle winter emergency kit. Include a blanket, radio/spare batteries, snacks/energy bars, jumper cables, flares and a shovel/sand or shingles for tire traction. Avoid driving when conditions could deteriorate. Postpone travel if possible. If driving is absolutely necessary, keep your gas tank more than half full and your cell phone charged. Save emergency numbers for fast dialing. Check road conditions in advance on the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler Map at traveler.modot.org/map/. Allow extra time, expect delays, reduce speed and increase following distance. If your vehicle breaks down or slides off the road, stay in the vehicle and call for help. Make sure alternate heat and power sources such as fireplaces, woodstoves, kerosene heaters and generators function properly. These sources can be dangerous and must be regularly maintained and operated. Keep the correct fuel for each source on hand in a safe location. Proper ventilation is essential. Properly install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. Only operate generators outdoors. Remember space heaters are potentially deadly when misused. Space heaters account for approximately one-third of home heating fires and 80 percent of home heating fire deaths. Supplemental heating sources like these should be turned off when leaving a room or going to bed. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from heating equipment. For more winter weather preparedness tips, including safe driving techniques and avoiding injury while shoveling, please visit mo.gov/winter-weather-safety/.

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a Coldworking Fused Glass Holiday Ornament/Gift Tag Workshop on tomorrow, from 5:30 until 8:30 in the evening with Jennifer Curry. In this workshop, the student will learn how to use several cold working tools used to shape fused glass for either returning their fused project back to the kiln for a fire-polishing, or shaping it for final hand-polishing. The art of coldworking gives the artist an added dimension to the glass kiln working skill. The class is open to students 12-years of age and older. The cost of the class is $50 and all supplies are included. There must be two people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to five. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.