An additional 11,043 deer were harvested over the Thanksgiving weekend in select counties, according to preliminary numbers from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

According to the MDC website (as of 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2), 3810 antlered bucks were claimed by hunters during the extra five days allotted to counties that are part of the department’s Chronic Wasting Disease management zone. Also tagged were 1018 button bucks and another 6217 does.

Just as in the regular firearms portion of the season, Franklin County saw the highest harvest totals with 411 deer. Jefferson and Howell counties were the next highest. Macon County was our top area counties, ranking fourth with 268 deer tags checked. In its first season included in the management zone, hunters in Saline County claimed 149 deer.

The Department of Conservation reminds the public that harvest totals are not official until all portions of deer season conclude and the data are verified.