Hunter Education
Why start with education? Because history proves that educated hunters are safe hunters. In 2008, the 20th anniversary of mandatory hunter education in Missouri, hunters set a record low for accidents, with only 15 incidents reported. This number is only one-quarter of the record high, and none was fatal.
If you plan to hunt with a firearm alone or you are 16 years of age or older, you will need to take a hunter education class or purchase a Apprentice Hunter Authorization before you can buy a permit. You’ll learn about firearm safety, hunting ethics and etiquette, why we have seasons and limits, and how to choose the right firearms for the game you hunt. If you don’t live in Missouri, you’ll need to take a hunter education course in your state or province before you can buy a permit to hunt in Missouri.
If you plan to bow hunt or trap, MDC offers optional bow hunter education and trapper education classes at numerous locations around the state. Check the events calendar in your region to see when a class is scheduled.
If you’re a novice hunter or just want to brush up on your shooting skills, visit one of MDC’s shooting ranges and outdoor education centers. These centers are designed to help you become a sharper, safer hunter and outdoors person. MDC staff specialists and trained volunteers can help you master firearms and archery, as well as map and compass, wildlife identification and many other outdoor skills.
Hunting Permits
Once you have your hunter education certificate, you can buy a permit to hunt for deer, turkey, waterfowl, furbearers or small game. You can purchase your permits on-line, over the phone, at any Department of Conservation office or from over a thousand vendors around the state.
Hunters with physical disabilities may apply for a hunting method exemption.
Wildlife Code
Before going into the field, you will need to be familiar with the Missouri Wildlife Code, which outlines all the regulations for hunting, trapping and fishing in Missouri. These regulations change every year, and MDC publishes summaries of the regulations for deer and turkey, waterfowl and migratory birds prior to each season. A summary of all the changes is also published in the Missouri Conservationist magazine every February.
Browse by Subject
- Seasons and regulations
- Find out about specific seasons and hunting regulations
- Furbearers
- Information on Missouri's common furbearing animals
- Deer
- Look up deer hunting regulations and reports
- Turkey
- Find information about turkey hunting regulations and practices
- Waterfowl
- Section detailing waterfowl hunting and seasons
- Other game
- Information on other small game hunting
