Deer Regulations

Deer regulations are set the summer before the season. For details, see the Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, which is available in PDF format under Related Information below and in print form from permit vendors and Conservation Department offices.

What’s New for 2012

• Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been found in white-tailed deer in north-central Missouri. To slow the spread of CWD, a containment zone has been established, new regulations have been enacted, and hunters are urged to follow voluntary guidelines.
• Salt products, minerals and other consumable natural or manufactured products used to attract deer are now prohibited in the CWD Containment Zone of Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph and Sullivan counties.
• To slow the spread of CWD, counties in the CWD Containment Zone (Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph and Sullivan) no longer have an antler-point restriction.
• To offer hunters more opportunities during the muzzleloader portion of the firearms deer season, additional hunting methods are now allowed. These include archery methods, crossbows, atlatls, handguns and air-powered guns. The muzzleloader portion has been renamed “alternative methods portion” to better reflect this change.
• Atlatls can now be used during archery deer and turkey season.
• Hunters with developmental disabilities who have taken a hunter-education course but failed to pass the certification tests may now purchase firearms permits after obtaining an eligibility statement from the Department. They must carry this statement as proof of their disability and hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed hunter age 18 or older who is hunter-education certified or exempt by age.
• Any member of the U.S. military currently assigned as a patient to a Warrior Transition Brigade, Warrior Transition Unit or a military medical center may now purchase Missouri resident permits regardless of where they live.
• New managed deer hunts have been added and others have been modified.
• Deer and/or turkey hunting regulations have changed for several conservation areas.

2012 Archery Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations

Find dates, hours, permits, limits and methods for Missouri's archery deer and turkey hunting.

2012 General Deer Regulations

In Missouri, deer may be pursued, taken, killed, possessed or transported only as outlined in the Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet.

2012 Firearms Deer Hunting

Your one-stop shop for Missouri's firearm deer-season portions, limits, shooting hours, permits and methods.

2012 Resident Landowner Permits

Browse qualifications for Missouri resident-landowner permits.

Antler-Point Restrictions in Selected Counties

In Missouri counties with antler restrictions, an antlered deer must have at least four points on one side to be taken.

Deer Hunting Regulations on Areas Managed or Owned by MDC

Six types of regulations limit doe harvest on Missouri's conservation areas. Carefully check an area's deer-hunting regulations before hunting there.

Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information

Find out what's new with fall deer and turkey hunting regulations this year. Download the annually updated Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet.