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2024 - 2025 Deer Bucks-Only Regulations
BUCKS-ONLY DEER HUNTING Only deer having one or both antlers 3 inches or more in length above the hairline are legal during the bucks-only season (see concurrent hunting during bucks-only season for antlerless deer ). Two deer may be taken with a gun or bow during the bucks-only season--the first deer may be taken with a Class A, Class AB, Class A-L, Class AB-L, Class X, Class XJ, Class Q, Class E, or as a resident landowner, Military, Disabled Veteran, Former POWs, Senior Citizen or underage hunter. A second deer may only be taken with a Class RG, Class RRG, or by resident landowners hunting on their own property. SPECIAL BUCK HARVEST RESTRICTION ON MCCLINTIC WMA All antlered deer taken during bucks-only firearm season on McClintic WMA must have a minimum outside antler spread of 14 inches (ear tip to ear tip). Legal firearms for hunting deer during the bucks-only season shall include:
Antlerless deer hunting is legal on private land and Springfield and Hughes River WMAs only the first 6 days (Nov. 20 thru 25) of the bucks-only season in 33 counties of the bucks-only season. This is not a hunter's choice season. To hunt antlerless deer during the bucks-only season, a valid Class N license (antlerless permit) is required for all hunters, regardless of age, except for resident landowners hunting on their own land. Hunters may take only one deer per day, therefore, a buck and an antlerless deer may not be taken on the same day. All hunting, except for deer, is prohibited during the first 3 days of bucks-only season in all counties having a bucks-only season; provided, that hunting for waterfowl shall be permitted on lakes, rivers, and waterways during the open waterfowl season. Small game hunting is legal beginning November 23, 2000. While hunting small game during the bucks-only season, No. 4 shot or smaller and slugs may be carried with a shotgun only if the hunter has an unfilled bucks-only season license. A combination rifle-shotgun (over-under, etc.) is legal for deer hunting and concurrent small game hunting. After killing the legal limit of deer, a successful hunter shall not be afield with any firearm with solid ball ammunition or shot shells containing larger than No. 4 shot. It is illegal to hunt small game during the bucks-only deer season with any centerfire rifle, with any rifle larger than .22 caliber using rimfire ammunition, or with a shotgun using solid ball ammunition in a county that is not open to bucks-only deer hunting. Archery hunting for antlered deer is legal during bucks-only season. A bow may be substituted for a firearm to take antlered deer, or if hunting on a Class N license, antlerless deer may be taken during the first 6 days on privateland in specified counties. All persons hunting during a deer firearms season, except those engaged in farming activities on their own land and waterfowl hunters, must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange as an outer garment. Additional Deer Gun Licenses -Class RG and Class RRG During a calendar year a resident may purchase only one Class RG license and a non-resident may purchase only one Class RRG license. Only one deer may be taken with a Class RG or Class RRG license. The Class RG and Class RRG licenses must be purchased before November 20, 2000, prior to the opening of bucks-only season. The Class RG and Class RRG licenses are valid in all counties open to bucks-only season. To take an additional deer, all residents except resident landowners while hunting on their own land are required to purchase a Class RG gun license. All nonresidents are required to purchase a Class RRG gun license if they choose to take an additional deer (see license requirements). During the bucks-only season, hunting on the Class RG or Class RRG gun licenses can begin on the day after legally checking the first antlered deer. If used for antlerless deer, the first deer must have been an antlerless deer checked by using a valid Class N license or as a landowner. Class RG and Class RRG gun licenses not used in the bucks-only season are valid to take an additional deer in the antlerless (Class N) or muzzleloader seasons in specified counties. (See antlerless and muzzleloader sections). Back to Regulations Page |
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