Body
Each year, MDC tests a sample of the state’s deer population for CWD. CWD testing has two main goals: detect the disease as early as possible in new locations and monitor changes in disease occurrence over time.
Body
Coronavirus (COVID-19) | See temporary closures
Title
Hunting Quick Links
Title
Things To Know
Media
Title
Subtitle
Get the Latest Info on CWD
Managed Hunts/Drawings
Bear Permit Application (May 1-31)
Elk Permit Application (May 1-31)
Elk/Bear Permit Draw Results (July 1)
In-Season Waterfowl Draw (Oct. 12 - Jan. 17)
In-Season Waterfowl Draw Results
Managed Deer Hunt Application (July 1-31)
Managed Deer Hunt Results (Aug. 15)
Pre-Season Waterfowl Draw (Sep. 1-18)
Pre-Season Waterfowl Draw Results (Oct. 1)
Spring Turkey Managed Hunts (Feb. 1-28)
Spring Turkey Managed Hunt Results (March 15)
Media
Title
Subtitle
Hunter Ed & Skills Training
Body
Hunter education is required to purchase a firearms hunting permit in Missouri. Get more information about the details on hunter education requirements.
Title
Telecheck your Bear, Deer, Elk or Turkey
Body
Bear
You have until 10 p.m. on the day of harvest to check your bear. Bear can be field-dressed or quartered with evidence of sex retained prior to being Telechecked. You can transport unchecked bear within the state as long as the permit is attached to the bear or with the hunter so long as the hunter is with the bear.
Get more information on how to telecheck your bear.
Deer
You have until 10 p.m. on the day taken to check your deer. When you Telecheck your deer, you will be asked a few short questions based on whether you are checking a doe or an antlered buck. These questions will help biologists gather information on the ages of deer harvested.
Get more information on how to telecheck your deer.
Body
Elk
You have until 10 p.m. on the day of harvest to check your elk. Elk can be field-dressed or quartered with evidence of sex retained prior to being Telechecked. You can transport unchecked elk within the state as long as the permit is attached to the leg or with the hunter so long as the hunter is with the elk.
Get more information on how to telecheck your elk.
Turkey
You have until 10 p.m. on the day taken to check your turkey. During checking, hunters will be asked the age and sex of their turkey. Monitoring the age and sex of harvested turkeys provides a valuable measure of the fall harvest. Hunters may also submit feathers as part of a research project.
Get more information on how to telecheck your turkey.
Body
Alternatives to doing business in person with MDC.
Rather than travel to an MDC location, consider the following online options.
Body
Hunting & Fishing Permits
Buy permits online and apply for landowner permits online.
Buy permits
Body
Online Hunter Education
Take the skills portion online, or Missouri residents 16 years of age and older can complete the entire program online.
Body
Virtual Programs
Attend a variety of programs virtually from the comfort of your home.
Find an event
Body
Watch a Commission Meeting
The Conservation Commission offers live streaming of all commission meetings to make it easier to learn about key conservation topics.
Watch a meeting
Body
Online Nature Shop
Purchase for-sale publications, and the natural events calendar.
Visit the nature shop
Body
Magazine Subscriptions
Subscribe to receive the Missouri Conservationist and Xplor magazines in your mail box, or via email.
Body
MDC Public Contacts
Talk with a conservation agent, biologist, forester or other public contact.
Search for contacts by county
Body
Latest News
Media
Body
Learn to transform your harvest into delicious and healthy meats ready for the table.
Media
Body
Top harvest counties were Franklin, Texas, and Howell.
Title
How Do I...
Link or File
Link
Link
Body
Our Magazines
Magazine Cover
Magazine Type
Name
Magazine Type
Description
Xplor reconnects kids to nature and helps them find adventure in their own backyard. Free to residents of Missouri.
Magazine Cover
Magazine Type
Magazine Type
Description
A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
Body
Featured In Season Now
Fishing Seasons
Black Bass: Ozark Streams
Dates
May 22, 2021 to February 28, 2022
Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl: Streams and Impounded Waters
Dates
September 15, 2021 to February 15, 2022
Trout: Catch and Release
Dates
November 12, 2021 to February 14, 2022
Link or File
Hunting Seasons
Squirrel: Hunting
Dates
May 22, 2021 to February 15, 2022
Dove: Hunting
Dates
September 1, 2021 to November 29, 2021
Deer: Archery
Dates
September 15, 2021 to November 12, 2021
November 24, 2021 to January 15, 2022
Turkey: Archery
Dates
September 15, 2021 to November 12, 2021
November 24, 2021 to January 15, 2022
Deer: Firearms: Youth
Dates
October 30, 2021 to October 31, 2021
November 26, 2021 to November 28, 2021
Link or File
Body
Featured Upcoming Seasons