For deer hunters in the Twin Lakes Area, this weekend is comparable to Super Bowl weekend. The modern firearms deer season opens in both Arkansas and Missouri Saturday. But, even for the experienced hunter, there are plenty of safety measures to keep in mind as you head to the woods.
Captain Joseph Williams with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission says one of the most important things is wearing hunter orange, regardless of what type of game you are hunting.
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Many hunters have been injured over the years getting into or out of a deer stand. Williams says there are some ways to reduce the risk of injury.
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The game and fish captain also warns about gun safety.
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Hunters in Arkansas can tag their deer in the field or by using the AGFC app.
Most of north central Arkansas and southern Missouri, other than Fulton, Izard and Douglas counties, are in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management zones.
In Arkansas, hunters are not allowed to remove deer from a CWD zone unless it has been deboned and it has a clean skull plate. CWD testing is not required in Arkansas, but it is recommended.
A list of locations in the area where samples can be dropped off:
More information can be found at agfc.com/cwd.
In Missouri, hunters also have restrictions on testing and removing deer from CWD zones.
Deer taken in Taney County are required to be tested, but it’s voluntary in Ozark and Howell counties. Visit this link for more information: https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/chronic-wasting-disease
To report hunting violations in Arkansas call 833-356-0824. In Missouri, the number is 1-800-392-1111.
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