Conservation: Deer will be seen in unusual places

The Conservation Department said with rifle season for deer starting Saturday, breeding season and the colder weather, deer will be moving around more frequently than usual.

They said one of the places you could see deer is in places you don’t normally see them, like in residential neighborhoods.

The Department of Conservation warns people to be aware of the animals that will be on the move when rifle season starts Saturday.

Brian Flowers with Conservation said, “You are going to see more deer crossing the roads, they’re going to see more deer in open places.”

Hunting will also bring about more dead deer.

Flowers said everyone should dispose of the carcasses in some way.

Some people bury them and other people incinerate them.

There is also no regulation in Missouri saying anyone has to do anything with the animal carcass.

“We encourage folks to take care of their carcass properly. You can bring it back and dispose of it in trash bags and proper ways with your trash service,” said Flowers.

In regard to people taking the antlers off of deer that have been hit and are on the side of the road- he said that is perfectly fine, as long as they contact their conservation agent to find out how to do it legally.

If not, it is a violation of the wildlife code in Missouri.

In Columbia, the Department of Conservation contacts someone to pick up the carcasses in the city limits.