Successful bow hunters in Missouri’s deer season are known to sit quietly, watch and listen. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages these hunters to help monitor the state’s terrestrial wildlife populations by reporting sightings through the Bowhunter Observation Survey.
The Survey tracks trends in wildlife populations, including coyotes, fox, deer, wild turkeys, and raccoons. During the early part of the archery deer and turkey season, from Sept. 15 until the start of the November portion of firearms deer season, hunters record sightings of wildlife observed while hunting. The data is recorded and summarized at the statewide and county level.
MDC Furbearer Biologist Nate Bowersock says, Bowhunter Observation Surveys can be an efficient way to track wildlife numbers that are otherwise costly to do through other methods.
Registering for the Bowhunter Observation Survey has additional benefits. Cooperators will receive a reminder email that the survey is about to begin and a summary report at the end of each survey. Cooperators can also receive a copy of their submitted observations upon request.
To learn more and to sign up for the Bowhunter Observation Survey, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4co.
