Deer hunts catch few critters at Hannibal airport

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- A series of safety-related deer hunts at Hannibal Regional Airport wound up reducing the roaming herd by just eight animals.

The Hannibal Courier-Post reported the Missouri Department of Conservation had placed a 40-deer limit for three special hunts conducted by members of a U.S. Department of Agriculture animal management unit.

The wildlife management effort was enacted after a pilot attempting to land at the northeast Missouri air strip in October reported nearly hitting one of nine deer on the runway. The pilot aborted the attempted landing, circled the field and landed without incident.

The April hunts were conducted by members of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Airport managers say they hope to eventually erect a wildlife fence but can't now afford that addition.