The Missouri Department of Conservation is considering a two-day reduction in the state's fall deer hunting season in an attempt to increase herd size.
The state agency proposes a nine-day fall firearms season each November starting in 2016. The current fall season lasts 11 days.
The conservation department also wants to reduce the length of the antlerless portion of the fall season from 12 days to three days, commencing in early December.
Other proposed changes include allowing crossbows for the fall archery hunts of deer and turkey.
A series of public meetings on the proposed changes are scheduled beginning later this month and into March in Blue Springs, Kirkwood, Springfield, West Plains ,Cape Girardeau, Kirksville, Columbia. and St. Joseph.