Missouri - Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 189,938 deer during the November portion of fall firearms deer season, Nov. 14-24. Of the 189,938 deer harvested, 92,020 were antlered bucks, 21,256 were button bucks, and 76,662 were does. Top harvest counties were Texas with 4,544 deer checked, Howell with 4,046, and Franklin with 3,707.

Last year, hunters checked 166,383 deer during the 2014 November portion of firearms deer season with 78,556 being antlered bucks, 19,300 being button bucks, and 68,527 being does.

"Good weather and plenty of deer activity likely are the reasons why there was an increase in deer harvest during the November portion of the firearms deer season this year," MDC Deer Biologist Jason Sumners said.

MDC reported five firearms-related hunting incidents during the fall firearms November portion. The five incidents involved self-inflicted firearm wounds and occurred in Butler (2), Franklin, Newton, and Howard counties.

Deer hunting in Missouri continues with archery deer hunting from Nov. 25 through Jan. 15, firearms antlerless portion Nov. 25 through Dec. 6, firearms alternative methods portion Dec. 19-29, and firearms late youth portion Jan. 2-3.

Missouri offers some of the best deer hunting in the country and deer hunting is an important part of many Missourians' lives and family traditions. Deer hunting is also an important economic driver in Missouri and gives a $1 billion annual boost to the state and local economies.

Dexter, Missouri - Through a cooperative effort involving several entities, another successful deer hunting adventure took place at Gobbler Ridge Farms on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Disabled Veterans
Wildlife Facility.

The 125-acre farm, located west of Bloomfield, was offered to six area disabled veterans on Tuesday for a day of deer hunting in some prime Stoddard County wilderness.

Gobbler Ridge Farm, owned by Tom Love and Alan Hedrick, was transformed into a haven for disabled veterans in 2012 through a no-cost lease agreement with its owners and the American Legion Post #59 in Dexter.

Legion members manage the facility, which includes a spacious, handicap equipped cabin, and the facility operates through generous community donations and a host of volunteers.

Along with Tom Love and members of Post 59, making the hunt possible were several members of the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Sikeston Rotary Club, Jerry Elder with Zalma Frozen Foods and members of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

The six veterans ended their day with a total of three deer killed. The group enjoyed lunch in the cabin on the farm and a tour of the grounds.

The Disabled Veterans Wildlife Facility is available to all disabled veterans in the area, regardless of whether the disability is a direct result of their service.

Contact Tom Love at (573) 820-0802 for further information. The farm is available for hunting, fishing, or simply enjoying the abundant wildlife on the farm.

Veterans included in the hunt were Chris Hyche, Tony LaForest, Mike Cord, Matt Johnston, Wayne Godwin and Tony Curran

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Middle School 8^th grade boys basketball team defeated the Poplar Bluff Mules 44-31 on Monday evening at T.S. Hill Middle School.

Brodie Pollock dominated the court with a game-high 19 points.  Pollock scored 13 of those points in the first quarter. 

Poplar Bluff held the Bearcats to just two field goals in the second quarter as it moved ahead 20-19 by halftime. 

Dexter held the Mules to just 3 points in the third quarter allowing them to increase their lead back to eight to start the fourth quarter.

Garrett Henson hit three treys and finished with 12 points.

Logan Wyman recorded one 3-pointer.

Final Score 8^th Grade Boys Basketball: Dexter 44, Poplar Bluff 31

Poplar Bluff   5   15      3     8   -  31

Dexter         13     6    12   13   -  44

Poplar Bluff (31) - Dawson Hanner 2, Josiah Kilgore 5, Sammy Persons 5, Keshawn Reid 4, Philip Toledo 6, Luke Becker 4, Chaz Casey 5.  FG 12, FT 7/14, F 18. (3-pointers: None,  Fouled Out: None)

Dexter (44) - Logan Wyman 8, Spencer Warren 1, Haden Hillis 4, Garrett Henson 12, Brodie Pollock 19.  FG 17, FT 6/16, F 11. (3-pointers:  Logan Wyman 1, Garrett Henson 3.  Fouled Out: Warren)

Dexter will be back in action on Tuesday when they play at Jackson. 

 

Dexter, Missouri - The T.S. Hill Middle School Wrestling Team opened their 2015 season with a 13-4 victory over the Poplar Bluff Mules. 

Colton Jackson (PB)) defeated Wyatt Parker (D)

Alex Townsend (D) defeated Jackson McGraw (PB)

Luke Cannon (PB) defeated Corey Hawkins (D)

Steven Cupp (D) defeated Will Bost (PB)

Bryden Barnett (D) defeated Donald Sincup (PB)

Drew Soule (D) defeated Jacob Aldridge (PB)

Travis Waldner (D) defeated Quinton Bell (PB)

Brett Pollock (D) defeated Kaleb Phillips (PB)

Dylan Homan (D) defeated Sebastian Hawkins (PB)

Mason Keena (D) defeated Zach Davidson (PB)

Cutter Cornett (D) defeated Paige Earls (PB)

Austin Tinsley (PB) defeated Cory Hawkins (D)

Parker Van Slyke (D) defeated Cole Christian (PB)

Ethan Harmon (D) defeated Lane Willis (PB)

Alex Townsend (D) defeated Zachary Brown (PB)

Quinton Bell (PB) defeated Wyatt Parker (D)

Cory Ezell (D) defeated Will Bost (PB)

The Dexter Bearcats will be back in action on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 when they travel to Cape Girardeau.  Match time is 5:00 p.m.