Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report

• Wildlife population trends vary by county. The overall state wildlife population has increased over the last 40 years for deer, turkey and most furbearing animals.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) annually issues reports on 1) deer population, 2) wild turkey population and 3) the furbearer program.

County-specific deer population trends in Missouri, 2016

Source: Lombardo and Haslag, 2017

The Missouri Department of Conservation estimates the wild turkey population is declining in nine counties but increasing or remaining stable in the other 105 counties.

Wild turkey population trends in Missouri, 2011–2015

Source: Missouri Department of Conservation, 2016

The MDC also reports the populations of many furbearing animals in Missouri. The population of raccoons, opossums, coyotes, bobcats and striped skunks have risen based on sign station surveys since 1977. Red and gray fox populations have declined since 1977, based on sign station surveys.