Ok, here's a first, I think, for Missouri Deer hunters.

I didn't post the entire article, just what I thought were the interesting (changed) parts.

New deer regs benefit hunters
Friday, July 6, 2012
By PAUL DAVIS, SEMO News Service

Deer hunters in Southeast Missouri will see a few minor regulations changes when the hunting seasons kick in this fall, with most designed to offer more hunting opportunity.

The most notable change will occur during what was known as the December muzzleloader season.

Previously, hunters could only use a muzzleloading firearm during the late season. This year's season, running Dec. 15-25, has been renamed the alternative methods season, with more weapon options available for deer hunters.

Beginning with this year's statewide alternative methods season, hunters will be able to use centerfire pistols, large-caliber airguns, atlatls, bows and crossbows, in addition to muzzleloading firearms, to pursue deer.

Airgunners, an extremely small minority of deer hunters, must use a firearm of .40-caliber or larger, Sumners said. An additional requirement is the airgun must be charged from an external, high compression power source.

"This certainly isn't your Daisy Red Rider type of rifle," Sumners said, noting airguns usually are a hunting tool used in suburban areas.

Atlatls previously were legal only during the archery season.

Finally, for those interested in the managed muzzleloader deer hunt at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, this year offers a bonus: a second hunt is being offered.

"The primary reason for the second hunt," said Mingo Refuge Manager Ben Mense, "is we have a certain number of deer we have to shoot to maintain our population, and to provide hunters additional opportunity."

The new hunt will allow hunters to take two antlerless deer, Mense said, and will have a quota of 70 hunters.

The first managed hunt, which runs Dec. 1-2, allows drawn hunters to take two deer, but one may be antlered. That hunt has a quota of 150 hunters.