Friday, November 14, 2025

DEER SEASON BEGINS ON SATURDAY

Hunters from across Missouri will be heading to the woods this weekend for the beginning of deer season.

Officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation say that the November portion of the firearms deer season runs from November 15th through the 25th and the opening weekend is the most popular two days for most deer hunters in Missouri.

Hunters are reminded that only one antlered deer may be taken during the entire firearms season.

You can find more information about deer season as well as regulations online at mdc.mo.gov.

STATE OFFICIALS STRESS SAFETY FOR NON-HUNTERS DURING HUNTING SEASON

Firearms deer season will open this weekend in Missouri and state officials are reminding non-hunters that they also need to practice safety measures when afield.

Officials say that non-hunters should wear bright clothing to be more visible, such as a bright orange hat, jacket, or pack.

Place a bright orange vest or bandana on canines who join you and remember to keep them leashed. Be aware that hunters are often most active during the early morning and late afternoon, when game animals are most active. Be especially aware of your own visibility during these times when light is dim.

Stay on designated trails. Trails are designed to improve the safety of public users and to protect sensitive habitats. Enjoying recreational activities only on designated trails will reduce the likelihood of entering hunting areas.

If you hear shooting, raise your voice, and let hunters know you are in the area.

MODOT ANNOUNCES PLANS TO REHABILITATE BRIDGE IN POPLAR BLUFF

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced plans for an upcoming bridge project in Poplar Bluff.

MoDOT plans to rehabilitate the northbound Business 67 bridge over Pike Creek. The bridge is located southwest of the Business 67 intersection at Route 53 and Shelby Road.

Officials say that work could begin as early as January 2027 and construction will be staged to allow the roadway to remain open. Motorists should anticipate a lane closure with a 10.5-foot width restriction in the vicinity of the northbound bridge as work is underway.

The rehabilitation work will be underway for approximately four months.

For more information, contact MoDOT Project Manager Seiji Shimbo at 573-472-5389.

MOTORISTS WARNED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR DEER

Deer season begins on Saturday and Missouri motorists are being advised to watch for more animals on the roadway.

Officials say that deer are more active and create hazards for Missouri motorists at this time of year.

The majority of deer strike crashes happen in the 6 to 7 am and 6 to 9 pm timeframes.

Last year, drivers in Missouri experienced 2,952 traffic crashes where deer-vehicle strikes occurred. In these crashes, there were four fatalities and 420 people were injured.

Drivers are reminded that an attempt to avoid striking a deer could result in a more serious crash involving oncoming traffic. As soon as you see a deer, the best course of action is to reduce your speed gradually while watching other traffic around you.

If you do strike a deer, move your vehicle to a safe location and call 9-1-1 or *55 on a cell phone and report it.

DEER HUNTERS REMINDED OF MANDATORY CWD SAMPLING

With firearm deer season coming up, the Missouri Department of Conservation is reminding deer hunters that it will be holding mandatory chronic wasting disease sampling during the opening weekend.

Hunters who harvest deer from designated counties in the CWD Management Zone on November 15th or 16th are required to take their harvested deer, or the head, on the day of harvest to one of MDC’s numerous CWD mandatory sampling stations located throughout the zone.

Southeast Missouri counties included in the CWD Management Zone include Ripley, Pemiscot, Shannon, Bollinger, and Oregon.

Hunters must present their deer to a CWD mandatory sampling station within the county of harvest, with a few exceptions. Sampling and test results are free.

You can find the sampling locations as well as all counties that are in the CWD Management Zone at mdc.mo.gov/cwd.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER TRYING TO FIGHT NEW MADRID COUNTY DEPUTY

A man has been taken into custody after attempting to fight with a law enforcement officer in New Madrid County.

According to New Madrid County Sheriff Joey Higgerson, on the evening of November 9th a deputy responded to an area house in reference to suspicious activity.

The residents said they went outside and found a man inside one of their cars in the driveway. The man fled the scene after being confronted by the homeowner.

A short time later the deputy found the man, identified as Jared Childers, in the parking lot of a gas station in Portageville. Childers attempted to flee the scene, and then tried to fight with the deputy once he was caught.

Higgerson says that Childers is a registered sex offender who is currently on parole for statutory rape. Higgerson added that he has spoken to several citizens over the past few months who expressed concerns about Childers’s suspicious behavior.

Childers has been charged with burglary 2nd degree and resisting arrest. He is being held on a $75,000 cash only bond.

BUTLER COUNTY CHURCH TO HOST COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER IN FISK

A Butler County church will be sponsoring a free thanksgiving dinner this weekend.

A Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner is scheduled for 2 pm on Saturday at the Fisk Community Center.

The dinner will include turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, rolls, and more.

The event is sponsored by the Rombauer General Baptist Church.