Missouri Department of Conservation asks hunters to hold their fire this season

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Intro:	Deer hunters might want to stick to the range if they're looking to take any shots this year.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: You might not bring as many deer home this hunting season, and you can thank acorns for that.

Missouri Department of Conservation Research Scientist Emily Flinn says hunters in forested areas-- like southern Missouri-- won't get their shot at as many deer this year.

Actuality:	FLINN2.WAV
Run Time:	00:12
Description: There's probably going to be less deer harvested...um... due to acorns being more plentiful. Deer don't have to move as much, and when they don't have to move as much, hunters don't see them.

A deer status report by the Department of Conservation suggested the "Blue Tongue" disease last year could also affect this year's harvest-- they already received a few hundred reports of the disease.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Hanna Battah.

Intro:	Hunters might front the brunt of last year’s deer disease outbreak.
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Wrap: The Department of Conservation says the disease outbreak in deer last year is still running its course.

Department Research Scientist Emily Flinn suggests hunters avoid doe this season if they want to restore the deer population.

Actuality:	FLINN1.WAV
Run Time:	00:13
Description: I would recommend not harvesting as many doe if you're still seeing fewer deer, because doe are the means for the population to grow.

Last year, the Missouri Conservation Department suspected over 10 thousand cases of diseased deer.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Hanna Battah.

Intro:	Last year's "Blue Tongue" disease outbreak isn't the end of bad luck for Missouri deer hunters.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The Missouri Conservation Department reported over 10 thousand suspected cases of diseased deer last year. Now, the acorn crop will also make it more difficult for hunters to bring home venison.

Missouri Department of Conservation Research Scientist Emily Flinn says hunters in forested areas like southern Missouri won't get their shot at as many deer this year.

Actuality:	FLINN2.WAV
Run Time:	00:12
Description: There's probably going to be less deer harvested...um... due to acorns being more plentiful. Deer don't have to move as much, and when they don't have to move as much, hunters don't see them.

During last year's firearms season, Missouri hunters harvested over 250 thousand deer-- an 8 percent increase from 2011.