MDC created the Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP) to increase outdoor recreational opportunities on private land. Under this program, MDC provides annual incentive payments to private landowners who open their land for public recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Bear Permit Application (May 1-31)
Elk Permit Application (May 1-31)
Upper Mississippi Blind Draw (June 17-30)
Elk/Bear Permit Draw Results (July 1)
Register Managed Dove Hunt Columbia Bottom CA (July 1-31)
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)
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 measurements will help biologists gather information on the ages of deer harvested.
Get more information on How to Telecheck Your Deer.
Bear
You have until 10 p.m. on the day of harvest to Telecheck your bear. A bear can be field-dressed or quartered with evidence of sex retained prior to being Telechecked. You can transport an 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.
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.
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.
Habitat Hints
Get valuable information to improve habitat on your property.
Alternatives to doing business in person with MDC.
Rather than travel to an MDC location, consider the following online options.
Hunting & Fishing Permits
Buy permits online and apply for landowner permits online.
Buy permits
Online Hunter Education
Take the skills portion online, or Missouri residents 16 years of age and older can complete the entire program online.
Virtual Programs
Attend a variety of programs virtually from the comfort of your home.
Find an event
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
Online Nature Shop
Purchase for-sale publications and the natural events calendar.
Visit the nature shop
Magazine Subscriptions
Subscribe to receive the Missouri Conservationist and Xplor magazines in your mailbox or via email.
MDC Public Contacts
Talk with a conservation agent, biologist, forester, or other public contact.
Search for contacts by county
Latest News
Our Magazines
Xplor reconnects kids to nature and helps them find adventure in their own backyard. Free to residents of Missouri.
A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
Featured In Season Now
Fishing Seasons
Black Bass: Ozark Streams
Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl: Streams and Impounded Waters
Paddlefish: Mississippi River
Trout: Catch-and-Release
Hunting Seasons
Coyote: Hunting
Squirrel: Hunting
Deer: Archery
Featured Upcoming Seasons