Managed Deer Hunt To Close 3 Lake Area Parks This Saturday

Three lake area state parks will either be closed or partially closed this weekend.

A managed deer hunt is taking place with the goal of bringing down the deer population because numbers too high can hurt the ecology.

Ken McCarty with Missouri State Parks tells KRMS News 25 deer per square mile is the preferred number, but in some cases deer can reach between 40 to 100 deer per square mile.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park will be partially closed during this weekend’s hunt, with only the Spring and Castle areas remaining open.

Truman State Park in Warsaw and Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon will be completely closed.

All hunters participating were pre-selected.

Nine Missouri state parks to temporarily close for managed deer hunts

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 7, 2020 – To safely and effectively manage the deer population in some state parks, managed deer hunts are held in a coordinated effort between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ division of State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation. The following parks may be temporarily closed on the specified dates listed below.

• Bennett Spring State Park – Dec. 8-9, 2020
• Mark Twain State Park – Dec. 12-13, 2020
• Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park – Dec. 12-13, 2020
• Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and Historic Site – Dec. 12-13, 2020
• Ha Ha Tonka State Park – Dec. 12-13, 2020
• Knob Noster State Park – Dec. 12-13, 2020
• Pomme de Terre (Hermitage Only) – Dec. 12-13, 2020
• St. Joe State Park – Dec. 12-13, 2020
• Truman State Park – Dec. 12-13, 2020

Before heading to a Missouri state park, check the Park and Site Status Map at mostateparks.com for any temporary closures that may impact your visit.

The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others amid ongoing public health concerns. Come prepared with hand sanitizer and bottled water, avoid large and congested crowds, and please stay home if sick. Face coverings are encouraged.

For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.