Hunters Beat the Heat During Missouri’s Governor’s Mentored Deer Hunt

October in Missouri is supposed to bring crisp mornings, colorful leaves and the excitement of deer season. Instead, hunters participating in the 2026 Governor's Mentored Deer Hunt found themselves dealing with temperatures that felt more like summer than fall. But a little heat wasn't going to keep these hunters out of the woods.

Across six hunting areas spanning eight Missouri counties, new hunters joined experienced mentors Oct. 9-11 for a weekend of education, camaraderie and, for several participants, their first successful deer harvest.

The National Wild Turkey Federation has supported the Governor's Mentored Deer Hunt since its inception in 2023, joining the Missouri Department of Conservation and other conservation partners in creating opportunities for new hunters to get afield. While managing deer populations is an important part of the program, its impact reaches beyond the harvest.

"The Governor’s hunt is a crucial event for passing on deer hunting skills to new hunters. Growing up I was fortunate to have family and friends who took me along on hunts and taught me the skills I needed to be successful when afield," said Haeley Eichler, Missouri Department of Conservation agent. "This program gives individuals who may not have had the exposure or opportunities to learn hunting skills a chance to experience deer hunting in a hands on yet safe and controlled environment. It is truly rewarding to see how many people have harvested their first deer on these hunts."

Through education, hands-on experience and mentorship, the event helps preserve America's hunting heritage by giving newcomers the knowledge, confidence and connections to continue hunting for years to come.

From the Classroom to the Deer Woods

In Benton County, five participants kicked off the weekend with a little classroom time before heading into the deer woods. Saturday morning's instruction covered everything from deer biology and behavior to hunting regulations, shot placement and the role hunters play in conservation.

After a morning of learning, hunters, mentors, volunteers and families gathered for lunch, where stories were shared, laughter filled the conversations and new friendships began forming before anyone stepped into a deer blind.

The camaraderie was a reminder that hunting is about more than the harvest. For newcomers, the opportunity to learn from experienced hunters and build relationships can be just as valuable as time spent in the field.

With full stomachs and a little more knowledge under their belts, participants headed outside for firearm safety instruction and target practice. Shooting lanes gave the new hunters an opportunity to build confidence with their firearms before putting those skills to the test later that afternoon.

And for one Benton County participant, the preparation paid off.

One hunter successfully harvested two deer Saturday, adding to an already memorable weekend.

Other participants experienced challenges familiar to even the most seasoned hunters. One young hunter missed a deer Sunday morning, while another made the responsible decision to pass on a 175-yard shot. Two others encountered only bucks, which were off-limits during the antlerless season.

Although not everyone filled a tag, there was no shortage of learning opportunities. The weekend's instruction extended beyond the shot, introducing participants to tracking, field dressing and processing deer, important skills for becoming confident, independent hunters.

First Deer, Family Memories and Full Coolers

While Benton County hunters worked through the heat, other groups across Missouri were finding success of their own.

In Howell County, six new hunters participated in a weekend that included a father-son moment worth remembering.

Jordan originally planned to tag along with his son, Daniel, to share the experience from the blind as a spectator. But plans changed, and before the weekend was over, both had something to celebrate.

On Sunday morning, Daniel harvested his first deer. Just five minutes later, Jordan harvested his first deer, too.

The cooler temperatures Sunday morning, which began around 47 degrees in Howell County, finally had deer moving, and the father-son duo made the most of it.

Beyond the excitement of the harvest, participants also got their hands dirty learning how to skin, quarter and debone deer. Mentors donated venison to hunters who weren't successful in the field, ensuring everyone went home with a cooler full of meat. Extra venison was also donated to Missouri's Share the Harvest program, extending the impact of the weekend beyond the participating hunters.

In Pike County, all six participants successfully harvested deer, with one hunter filling two tags for a total of seven deer.

Audrain County saw one of its three participants harvest their first deer, while the other two encountered deer but couldn't get a suitable shot.

In the combined Osage, Phelps and Maries counties hunt area, two of six participants successfully harvested deer. Putnam County also welcomed new hunters for the weekend.

Each location brought its own challenges and successes, but the weekend proved that even when the weather doesn't cooperate, a good hunting experience isn't hard to find.

Hot Weather, Cool Opportunities

The heat wasn't just something the mentored hunters noticed. According to preliminary Missouri Department of Conservation data, hunters statewide harvested 6,524 deer during the Oct. 9-11 early antlerless firearms season, compared with 8,494 during the same portion last year.

MDC attributed the lower harvest in part to record or near-record high temperatures, which affected deer movement throughout the weekend.

But while the weather may have slowed the deer down, it didn't slow the learning.

From firearm safety and shot placement to understanding deer behavior and processing venison, participants gained practical skills that will carry into future hunting seasons. Just as important, they learned why hunters play a role in conservation and responsible wildlife management.

The event also connects new hunters with private landowners seeking assistance managing deer densities on their properties. In Howell County, the participating landowner was grateful for the help reducing deer numbers and was already looking forward to welcoming the program back next year.

For the NWTF and its partners, these opportunities represent more than a single weekend in the woods. Introducing someone to hunting means creating another connection to conservation, another opportunity to build hunting traditions and, potentially, another future mentor willing to pass along what they've learned.

Missouri may have turned up the thermostat, but these new hunters proved they could take the heat.

And while a few coolers went home full of venison, the real success was measured in first experiences, newfound confidence and traditions passed from one hunter to another.