Rock Bridge State Park hosts a managed deer hunt for the first time in 14 years

Over 60 hunters participated in a managed deer hunt Nov. 3 to 4 at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park to “safely and effectively manage the park’s and wild area’s deer population,” according to a Missouri State Parks news release.

The release said while Missouri state parks are usually wildlife refuges where hunting is not permitted, the Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Conservation coordinate to hold managed hunts to “prevent harm to the ecosystem when an overpopulation of deer develops.”

Park naturalist Roxie Campbell said helicopter counts, browse studies and observations at the park in 2024 and early this year revealed there was an overpopulation of deer. There hasn’t been a hunt in the park since 2011.

Reducing the number of deer in the area prevents overgrazing, which could reduce or eliminate species of plants, many of which are needed by other animals and insects.

“ It’s important to control deer populations because they have a very direct impact on plants and the ecosystem, and we want to keep the ecosystem healthy for all of the animals, including the deer,” Campbell said.

Sixty-five hunters, carefully selected by the Missouri Department of Conservation, were permitted to take three deer total only if they took a doe first. Hunters were also required to use muzzleloading rifles.

The 23 hunters sent to the Gans Creek Wild Area took 11 does, four bucks and two button-bucks. The other 42 hunters covered the remainder of the park, leaving with 23 does, 11 bucks and 3 button bucks. The deer taken do not count toward the hunter’s season bag limit.