This weekend hunters across Missouri have the opportunity to harvest white tail deer in three state parks, including Babler Memorial State Park in Wildwood.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources Spokeswoman Renee Bungart says the managed hunts are a critical part of maintaining ecosystems in the parks.
“Deer over population can reduce habitat suitability for birds and other native wildlife,” Bungart says. “They can seriously damage our rare or ecologically important native plants.”
Bungart says hunters were randomly selected by a computer drawing.
The hunts are being conducted following guidelines established by the Missouri Department of Conservation, which regulates hunting of wildlife in the state.
In addition to Babler Memorial State Park, Cuivre River State Park near Troy and Watkins Woolen Mill State Park near Lawson are also closed today and tomorrow for the hunts.
All three state parks will reopen to the public Monday morning.
