Hunting Regulations

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Methods

Seasons, permits, and species have specific rules governing the type of firearm, bow, atlatl, and slingshot that may be used to hunt. Review the information in those areas before hunting.

Fully automatic weapons are prohibited for all hunting.

Firearm restrictions during deer firearms season

During the November portion statewide, and the antlerless and CWD portions in open counties, other wildlife may be hunted only with a shotgun and shot not larger than No. 4 or a .22 or smaller caliber rimfire rifle. This does not apply to waterfowl hunters, trappers, landowners on their land, or to elk hunters during the firearms portion of the elk season.

If you are hunting furbearers during daylight hours during firearms deer season, only deer hunting methods may be used.

Firearm restrictions during elk firearms portion

During the firearms portion of the elk hunting season in open counties, other wildlife may be hunted only with a shotgun and shot not larger than No. 4 or a .22 or smaller caliber rimfire rifle. This does not apply to waterfowl hunters, trappers, landowners on their land, or to deer hunters during the antlerless portions of the firearms deer season. .

Poisons, tranquilizing drugs, chemicals, and explosives

Poisons, tranquilizing drugs, chemicals, and explosives may not be used to take wildlife.

Motor driven transportation

Motor driven transportation may not be used to take, drive or molest wildlife.

A motorboat may be used to hunt wildlife, except bear, deer and elk, if the motor is shut off and the boat’s forward progress has stopped.

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)

It is illegal for anyone (except landowners and lessees on land they own or lease and certain agricultural workers) to drive all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Missouri’s streams and rivers unless the ATV is on a crossing that is part of the highway system. Violators could lose their fishing and hunting privileges.

With limited exceptions, all-terrain vehicle use is prohibited on conservation areas. Other vehicles are restricted to graveled and paved roads and established parking areas, unless otherwise posted.

Artificial lights

Artificial lights may be used to hunt:

  • bullfrogs
  • green frogs
  • raccoons and other furbearing animals when treed with the aid of dogs
  • coyotes from February 1 – March 31 in conjunction with other legal hunting method

Landowners may use artificial lights on their property, but while doing so may not be in possession of — or be in the company of someone who possesses — a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

Artificial lights may not be used to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife than the above.

Night Vision and Thermal Imagery

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife, except:

  • To take coyotes from February 1 – March 31 in conjunction with other legal hunting methods
  • For the purposes of killing feral swine by landowners or their authorized representatives on the landowner’s property
  • With written authorization of an agent of the department

Calls

Mouth and hand calls may be used any time.

Electronic calls or electronically activated calls may be used to pursue and take crows and furbearers. They may also be used to take light geese during the Conservation Order. Electronic calls may not be used with artificial light or night-vision equipment, except when hunting coyotes from February 1 – March 31 in conjunction with other legal hunting methods.

Dogs

Dogs may be used in hunting wildlife — except bear, deer, elk, turkey, muskrat, mink, river otter, and beaver. Learn more about the rules for hunting with dogs.

During a hunt

Furbearer dens or nests

The dens or nests of furbearers shall not be molested or destroyed.

Hunter orange

For your safety, you are urged to wear hunter orange whenever you are hunting. You are required to wear hunter orange at certain times and locations. Learn more about the hunter orange rules.

Hunting near flood waters or fire

Wildlife, except waterfowl, may not be pursued or taken while trapped or surrounded by floodwaters or while fleeing from floodwaters or fire.

Hunting and trapping on public roadways

You may not take any wildlife from or across a public roadway with a firearm, bow or crossbow. A Conibear-type trap may be used adjacent to public roadways only if set underwater in permanent waters.

After a successful hunt

Excessive waste

It is illegal to intentionally leave or abandon any portion of any wildlife that is commonly used as human food.

Possessing, transporting, and storing wildlife

You must keep any wildlife you take separate or identifiable from that of any other hunter.

You can possess and transport wildlife as part of your personal baggage. It may be stored at your home, camp, place of lodging or in a commercial establishment.

Proper labeling

When storing bear, deer, elk, and turkey, it must have the hunter's:

  • Full name
  • Address
  • Date taken
  • Telecheck confirmation number

When storing wildlife other than bear, deer, elk, or turkey, it must have the hunter’s:

  • Full name
  • Address
  • Permit number
  • Species
  • Date it was placed in storage

When transporting wildlife other than bear, deer, elk, or turkey, it must have the hunter’s:

  • Full name
  • Address
  • Permit number
  • Date it was taken

Buying and selling pelts, feathers, and other parts

Unless federal regulations prohibit, you may buy, sell or barter legally obtained:

  • feathers
  • squirrel pelts
  • rabbit pelts
  • groundhog pelts
  • turkey bones
  • turkey heads
  • turkey feet
  • deer heads (except those acquired with a disposition form)
  • elk heads (except those acquired with a disposition form)
  • deer and elk antlers
  • deer and elk hides
  • deer and elk feet
  • NOTE: Regardless of the state of harvest, black bear gallbladders may not be bought, sold, offered for sale, transferred, or given away. Extracted black bear gallbladders may not be transported into or within Missouri.

They must be accompanied by a bill of sale showing:

  • the seller’s full name, address
  • the number and species of the parts
  • the full name and address of the buyer

Wildlife and wildlife parts, after mounting or tanning, also may be bought and sold.

People who receive or purchase deer or elk heads or antlers attached to the skull plate must keep the bill of sale as long as the heads or antlers are in their possession. The bill of sale must include the transaction date and a signed statement from the sellers attesting that the deer or elk heads and antlers were, to their knowledge, taken legally.

Giving away wildlife

You may give wildlife (excluding bear gall bladders) to another person, but it will continue to be a part of your daily limit for the day when taken. Wildlife received as a gift will be included in the possession limit of the person you give it to.

Bear, deer, elk, and turkey must be properly labeled as outlined above.

All other wildlife being given away must be labeled with:

  • your full name
  • address
  • permit number
  • species
  • date taken
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Search Places to Go for conservation area-specific information before hunting.

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During spring turkey and fall deer and turkey seasons, you cannot take wildlife, except waterfowl, when river levels exceed specified limits on local river gauges in certain flood-prone areas in southeast Missouri.

This map shows in real-time which areas are open or closed to hunting. Check it before heading out on your turkey or deer hunt.

For a complete listing of this rule, see 3 CSR 10-7.405 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

Numbers on the map refer to zones referenced in the regulation.

For a larger version of the map SE Regulatory Flood Zone

Zones

1: Scott County

No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey or fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 35 feet on the Thebes, IL gauge.

2: Mississippi County

No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey or fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 43feet on the Cairo, IL gauge.

3: New Madrid and Mississippi Counties

No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey season when the Mississippi River is at or above 34 feet on the New Madrid, MO gauge.

3A: New Madrid and Mississippi Counties

No hunting (except waterfowl) during fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 34 feet on the New Madrid, MO gauge.

3B: New Madrid and Mississippi Counties

No hunting (except waterfowl) during fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 36 feet on the New Madrid, MO gauge.

3C: New Madrid and Mississippi Counties

No hunting (except waterfowl) during fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 40 feet on the New Madrid, MO gauge.

4: Pemiscot County

No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey or fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 32 feet on the Caruthersville, MO gauge.

5A: Dunklin County

No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey or fall deer and turkey seasons when the St. Francis River is at or above 21 feet on the St. Francis, AR gauge.

5B: Dunklin County

No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey or fall deer and turkey seasons when the St. Francis River is at or above 15.5 feet on the Holly Island, AR gauge.

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All hunters should treat the outdoors with respect and follow ethical hunting practices. These include:

  • If you hunt on private land, be sure to obtain permission from the landowner and respect his or her property as if it were your own. Scout the area you plan to hunt so you know where the boundaries, houses, roads, fences and livestock are located on the property.
  • If you do not kill your game instantly, make every effort to find the wounded animal. Permission is required to enter private land.
  • Clean and care for your game properly.
  • Pick up all litter, including spent ammunition. Leaving an area better than the way you found it is a sign of thanks for the privilege of hunting.
  • Report observed violations of the law to a conservation agent or local sheriff as soon as possible.
  • If you are involved in a firearms-related accident, the law requires that you identify yourself and render assistance; failure to do so is a Class A misdemeanor.
  • Develop your skills and knowledge, and share them with others.
  • Know and obey all wildlife laws.
  • Know and follow the rules of gun safety.
  • Respect the rights of hunters, non-hunters and landowners.
  • Make every effort to retrieve and use all game.
  • Respect the land and all wildlife.
  • Be sensitive to others when displaying harvested game.
  • Remember, hunting is not a competitive sport.
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Hunters may use dogs to take and retrieve game, but there are restrictions by species, times, and locations.

When Dogs Are Illegal to Use

Dogs are prohibited when hunting deer, elk, and turkey.

Dogs cannot be used to harvest muskrat, mink, river otter, and beaver.

Dogs are prohibited when hunting furbearers (badger, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk) during daylight hours from Nov.1 through the close of the November portion of the firearms deer season and during the antlerless and CWD portions of firearms deer season in open counties.

Dogs are prohibited when hunting squirrels and rabbits during daylight hours of the November portion of the firearms deer season in the following counties:

  • Butler
  • Carter
  • Dent
  • Iron
  • Madison
  • Oregon
  • Reynolds
  • Ripley
  • Shannon
  • Wayne

Dogs are prohibited when hunting squirrels, rabbits, and furbearers (badger, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk) during daylight hours during the firearms portion of the elk hunting season in the following counties:

  • Carter
  • Reynolds
  • Shannon

Dogs must wear ID

While hunting, all dogs, except for those used by waterfowl and game bird hunters, must wear a collar with the owner’s full name and address, Conservation Number or complete telephone number.

Training Dogs

During training, dogs may chase but not take wildlife that can be hunted with dogs. You will need a hunting permit appropriate for the wildlife or exception when training dogs that are chasing wildlife.

Only a pistol with blank ammunition may be used during daylight hours to train dogs during closed seasons.

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General Provisions

  • The homes, nests or dens of furbearers must not be molested or destroyed.
  • No person shall accept payment for furbearers taken by another.
  • Wildlife held in traps, snares, or cable restraint devices may be killed or removed only by the user.
  • Bobcats and otters or their pelts must be delivered to an agent of the Conservation Department for registration or tagging before selling, transferring, tanning or mounting by April 10. Tagged bobcats, otters or their pelts may be possessed by the taker throughout the year and may be sold only to licensed taxidermists, tanners or fur dealers. It is illegal to purchase or sell untagged bobcats, otters or their pelts. Tagging tip: To make it easier to tag a pelt without damaging it, put a pencil or stick through the upper lip and eye socket before freezing the skin. The tag can be easily placed in those holes when the pelt is registered.
  • Restrictions on possession do not apply to tanned pelts, mounted specimens or manufactured products.
  • Skinned carcasses of legally taken furbearers may be sold throughout the year.

Special-Use Permit Required to Trap on Conservation Areas

Trapping with dog-proof style and other traps is allowed on many conservation areas. A Special Use Permit is required and these must be applied for at least 30 days before trapping begins. Contact the area manager at the regional office to see what opportunities are available in your area.

Traps

  • May be placed and set for furbearers at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 15 and must be removed by midnight of the last day of trapping season
  • Must have smooth or rubber jaws only, and may include foot-hold, Conibear, or other killing-type, foot-enclosing-type, cage-type, colony traps with openings no greater than 6 inches in height and 6 inches wide, snares set underwater only, and cable restraint devices.
  • Must be plainly labeled on durable material with the user’s full name and address or Conservation Number.
  • Wildlife must be removed or released from traps daily, except for colony and killing-type traps, which must be checked every 48 hours.
  • May not be set in paths made or used by people or domestic animals. Killing-type traps may not be set along public roadways, except underwater in permanent waters. Within communities having 10,000 or more inhabitants, only cage-type or foot-enclosing-type traps may be set within 150 feet of any residence or occupied building
  • May be used in conjunction with electronic calls

Conibear or Killing-type traps must comply with the following:

  • With a jaw spread greater than 5 inches, may be set underwater, but not in any dry land set
  • With a jaw spread not greater than 8 inches, may be set 6 feet or more above ground level in buildings

Snares must comply with the following:

  • Be set underwater
  • Have a loop 15 inches or less in diameter when set
  • Have a stop device that prevents the snare from closing to less than 2 1/2 inches in diameter
  • Be made with cable that is between 5/64 inch and 1/8 inch in diameter
  • Have a mechanical lock and anchor swivel
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When used correctly, cable restraint devices hold animals alive and allow trappers to release non-target animals unharmed. The devices can be used to take furbearers from November 15 through January 31. 

Cable restraint devices MUST:

  • Be made of stranded steel cable, not greater than 5 feet long (not including extension, with a diameter of not less than 5/64 inch and equipped with a commercially manufactured breakaway rated at 350 pounds or less, a relaxing-type lock, a stop device that prevents it from closing to less than 2 1/2 inches in diameter, and an anchor swivel. Note: Compression-type chokes and other mechanically powered springs are prohibited.
  • Have a loop size of 12 inches diameter or smaller when set
  • Have the bottom of the cable loop set at least 6 inches or greater above the ground
  • Be anchored solidly or staked in a location not allowing entanglement
  • Be checked daily.

Cable restraint devices must NOT be:

  • Capable of extending to within 12 inches of a fence
  • Set using a drag
  • Set with a kill-pole
  • Used within 150 feet of any dwelling or driveway leading to a dwelling.

Note: Trappers may not possess live coyotes, red fox, and gray fox after March 15.

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Season Dates/Quota Closure Status

Oct. 16–25, 2023, or until the harvest quota is reached in each Black Bear Management Zone (BMZ). You must call 800-668-4045 prior to hunting each day to determine if the harvest quota has been met. This line will be updated by midnight on each day of the bear season. Harvest numbers will be assessed daily after 10 p.m. Should a harvest quota be reached, the season will close for that BMZ on the following day. The director of the Conservation Department may close hunting early within a BMZ if harvest reaches 80 percent of the quota. If the harvest quota is met or the director closes the season for the BMZ in which you are hunting, you may not harvest a black bear.

Black Bear Management Zones

Bear Management Zones

Black bear hunting is allowed south of the Missouri River in three Black Bear Management Zones (BMZs). You may hunt only in the BMZ specified on your permit.

BMZ 1

The portion of Missouri west of a line running north from the Arkansas border on U.S. Highway 63 to U.S. Highway 60; west on U.S. Highway 60 to MO-360; west on MO-360 to Interstate 44; west on Interstate 44 to the Oklahoma border

BMZ 2

The portion of Missouri east of a line running north from the Arkansas border on U.S. Highway 63 to Interstate 44; east on Interstate 44 to State Highway 47; north on State Highway 47 to the Missouri River; east along the Missouri River to the Illinois border

BMZ 3

The portion of Missouri south of a line running east from the Kansas border along the Missouri River to State Highway 47; south on State Highway 47 to Interstate 44; west on Interstate 44 to U.S. Highway 63; south on U.S. Highway 63 to U.S. Highway 60; west on U.S. Highway 60 to MO-360; west on MO-360 to Interstate 44; west on Interstate 44 to the Oklahoma border

Shooting Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Limits

One black bear of either sex (see additional restrictions under Harvest Quota and Bears Eligible for Harvest, below):

Harvest Quota

You are required to call 800-668-4045 prior to hunting each day to determine if the harvest quota has been met. This line will be updated no later than midnight on each day of the black bear hunting season.

Harvest numbers will be assessed daily after 10 p.m. Should a harvest quota be reached, the season will close for that BMZ on the following day.

The director of the Conservation Department may close hunting early within a BMZ if harvest reaches 80 percent of the quota.

If the harvest quota is met or the director closes the season for the BMZ in which you are hunting, you may not harvest a black bear.

Bears Eligible for Harvest

Only lone black bears may be harvested. You may not harvest a bear that is with one or more other bears, including female bears with cubs.

Black bears that have taken refuge in a den may not be harvested or harassed.

Allowed

  • Centerfire rifles or handguns using expanding-type bullets such as lead or copper
  • Shotguns with slugs only
  • Air-powered guns, .40 caliber or larger, charged only from an external high-compression power source (external hand pump, air tank, or air compressor)
  • Muzzleloading or cap-and-ball firearms, .40 caliber or larger and capable of firing only a single projectile at one discharge. In-lines and scopes are allowed.
  • Multiple-barreled muzzleloading or cap-and-ball firearms and/or muzzleloading or cap-and-ball handguns, including revolvers, .40 caliber or larger, are allowed and may be carried in addition to a muzzleloading or cap-and-ball rifle.
  • Longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows. Hand-held string-releasing devices, illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights are allowed.
  • Crossbows

Prohibited

  • Self-loading firearms with capacity of more than 11 cartridges in magazine and chamber combined. Some exceptions apply. See 3 CSR 10-7.900 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
  • Ammunition propelling more than one projectile at a single discharge (such as buckshot)
  • Full hard metal case projectiles
  • Fully automatic firearms
  • Dogs
  • Bait: Using bait to hunt black bears is illegal. Bait is defined as any type of food that is placed or scattered in an attempt to attract bears to the area. Bait includes — but is not limited to — grain, livestock feed, bird food, pet food, food produced for human consumption, and concentrated food powder. Scents and minerals, including salt, are not bait; mineral blocks with food additives are bait. Note: Salt products and minerals are prohibited year-round within Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone counties. For additional information, see the Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, which is available in July at MDC offices, permit vendors, and online.
  • An area is considered baited for 10 days following complete removal of bait. You are in violation of baiting if you take or attempt to take a black bear with the aid of bait, when you know or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited. It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes other hunters to be in violation of the baiting rule.
  • Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
  • Artificial lights, night vision equipment, thermal imagery equipment, or telemetry equipment
  • Hunting bears while they are in a stream or other body of water
  • Hunting from a boat with a motor attached
  • Hunting from a motor-driven land conveyance or aircraft
  • Additional methods may be prohibited by local ordinances.

Assisting Other Hunters

Adults who accompany youth hunters ages 11–15 do not need a black bear hunting permit. The adult must be 18 or older and be hunter-education certified or born before January 1, 1967. At all other times during the black bear hunting season, a filled or unfilled Resident Black Bear Hunting Permit is required to assist others in taking bears. A permit is not required to accompany a hunter as long as the accompanying individual does not assist in any manner in the taking of bears.

Hunter-Orange Requirement

Hunter orange is required during the entire black bear hunting season, even if you are bow hunting. Read all the hunter-orange requirements before hunting.

Dogs

You may not use dogs or bring them with you while hunting black bears. However, leashed dogs under direct control of a handler may be used to track and recover wounded bears. Before tracking a wounded bear, the handler must contact a conservation agent. Handlers and other people assisting with tracking must follow the instructions of the conservation agent. Trackers do not need hunting permits, provided they are not the person who wounded the bear. They may not have in their possession a firearm, bow, or crossbow, except for concealable firearms as defined in Chapter 571, RSMo. Concealable firearms possessed under this exception may not be used to take wildlife.

Retrieval of Game

If you kill or injure a bear, you must make a reasonable effort to retrieve and include the animal in your season limit. However, this does not authorize trespass.

Wanton Waste

It is illegal to intentionally leave or abandon any portion of any wildlife that is commonly used as human food.

Black Bear Hunting on Conservation Areas

Many conservation areas offer opportunities to hunt black bears. More information coming soon.

Tree Stands on Conservation Areas

Portable tree stands may be placed only between Sept. 1 and Jan. 31 on Conservation Department areas. Unattended stands must be plainly labeled with your full name and address, or Conservation Number. You may not use nails, screw-in steps, or any material that would damage the tree. Tree stands must be removed before Feb. 1.

Portable Blinds on Conservation Areas

Portable blinds are permitted on conservation areas, but they must be removed from the area daily and may not be left unattended between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. It is recommended that blinds be labeled with the contact information of the owner and hunter-orange be displayed on the exterior of the blind to aid other hunters in locating and avoiding the blind.

Giving Away Game

You may give your harvested bear (excluding the gall bladder) to another person, but the bear counts toward your season limit. Bears that are given away must be labeled with the taker's full name, address, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number.

Possession, Storage, and Sale

Properly checked bears may be possessed by anyone if labeled with the taker's full name, address, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number. The Telecheck confirmation number must remain attached to the carcass until a meat processor begins working on the animal.

Bears left at commercial processing or cold storage plants must be claimed by May 1 following the season taken.

Legally taken wildlife and wildlife parts, after mounting or tanning, may be bought and sold. A bill of sale is required and must include the seller's full name, address, and the number and species of these parts, and the full name and address of the purchaser. The bill of sale shall be retained by the purchaser while these parts are in his/her possession.

Black Bear Gallbladders

Regardless of the state of harvest, black bear gallbladders may not be bought, sold, offered for sale, transferred, or given away. Extracted black bear gallbladders may not be transported into or within Missouri.

Premolar Tooth Submission

If you successfully harvest a black bear, you are required to submit a premolar tooth within 10 days of harvest.

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Allowed Hunting Methods Vary by Season

Allowed hunting methods vary by season. Be sure to view season information and the General Hunting Regulations before you hunt.

Hunter-Orange Requirement

Hunter orange is required during the firearms deer season. Read all the hunter-orange requirements before hunting.

Baiting Regulations

Prohibited

Use of bait — which includes grain or other feed placed or scattered so as to attract deer or turkeys — while hunting is illegal.

An area is considered baited for 10 days after complete removal of the bait.

A hunter can be in violation if they take or attempt to take a deer or turkey by the aid of bait where the hunter knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited.

It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.

Mineral and salt blocks are not allowed on conservation areas.

Additional rules apply in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zones.

Allowed

Doe urine and other scents, such as apple, acorn, and persimmon, may be used to attract deer while hunting, as long as the scents are not used on or with grain and other food products.

Mineral blocks, including salt, are not considered bait. However, mineral blocks that contain grain or other food additives are prohibited. Mineral and salt blocks are not allowed on conservation areas.

It is legal to hunt over a harvested crop field, but it is not legal to add grain or other crops, such as apples, to the field after it has been harvested.

Manipulating crops, such as mowing or knocking them down, is not considered baiting for deer and turkeys.

Limits

Check your permit and hunting season for information about limits. Also check to determine if antler point restrictions apply to the area where you are hunting.

Antlered Deer Limits

  • You may take only two antlered deer during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined.
  • Archery hunters may take only one antlered deer before the November portion of firearms deer hunting season.
  • Only one antlered deer may be taken during firearms deer hunting season (all portions combined).
  • If you are drawn to participate in a managed hunt, you may take as many antlered deer as allowed at that specific hunt. Deer taken at a managed hunt do not count toward your firearms or archery season limits.

Chronic Wasting Disease

If you hunt in Adair, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Boone, Caldwell, Camden, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Crawford, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Grundy, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Jasper, Jefferson, Knox, Laclede, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Ripley, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Vernon, Warren, Washington, and Webster counties, you are in the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone. Learn the best practices for harvesting deer in these counties.

Note:
Audrain, Boone, Cole, Dent, Douglas, Howard, Lewis, Maries, Monroe, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Randolph, Saline, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, and Webster counties are new additions to the CWD Management Zone.

Assisting Other Deer Hunters

During the youth portions of firearms deer season, adults who accompany youth hunters do not need a deer hunting permit. The adult must be 18 or older and be hunter-education certified or born before Jan. 1, 1967.

At all other times, mentors must possess a valid hunting permit for the appropriate season or be exempt. In the case of deer and turkey permits, the mentor’s permit can be filled or unfilled.

Tree Stands Placed on Conservation Department Areas

Portable tree stands may be placed or used only between Sept. 1 and Jan. 31 on Conservation Department areas. Unattended stands must be plainly labeled on durable material with your full name and address, or Conservation number. You may not use nails, screw-in steps, or any material that would damage the tree. Tree stands must be removed from the area before Feb. 1.

Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program

Special rules apply on areas enrolled in the Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP). For example, on MRAP areas you must remove your tree stand when you leave each day. When hunting on an MRAP area, it is your responsibility to read and follow the rules that are posted at the area.

Retrieval of Game

If you kill or injure a deer, you must make a reasonable effort to retrieve and include the animal in your season limit. However, this does not authorize trespass. It is illegal to leave or abandon commonly edible portions of game.

Use of Dogs to Hunt and Recover Game

Using dogs to recover game does not authorize trespass.

Read regulations on hunting with dogs.

Keep Deer Carcasses Out of Streams and Lakes

It is illegal to place a deer carcass or any of its parts into any well, spring, brook, branch, creek, stream, pond, or lake.

Possession and Sale

Properly checked deer and turkeys may be possessed by anyone if labeled with the taker’s full name, address, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number. The Telecheck confirmation number must remain attached to the carcass until a meat processor begins working on the animal.

Deer left at commercial processing or cold storage plants must be claimed by May 1 following the season taken.

Legally obtained deer heads, antlers, hides, and feet may be sold by the taker as long as the taker provides a bill of sale that shows:

  • The taker’s full name and address,
  • The species and number of parts, and
  • The full name and address of the buyer.

For deer heads and/or antlers attached to skull plates, a dated bill of sale identifying the seller must be retained while the heads or antlers are in the buyer’s possession.

Any person who finds a dead deer with antlers still attached to the skull plate may take the antlers, but must report the find to a conservation agent within 24 hours to receive authorization to possess the antlers.

No authorization is needed to possess, buy, or sell shed antlers not attached to the skull plate.

Read general regulations about giving away, possessing, storing and selling wildlife.

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Antlerless Permits

Archery antlerless permits can be used during the archery deer season in any county. Firearms antlerless permits can be used during all portions of firearms deer season. However, some areas are closed to firearms hunting during the antlerless portion.

How Many Archery Antlerless Permits Can You Fill?

Hunters may purchase and fill any number of Archery Antlerless Deer Hunting Permits during the archery deer season in all counties.

What Counties are Open During the Firearm Antlerless Portions of the Season?

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 2023 Antlerless Portion Map

Counties in white: closed to firearms hunting during the antlerless portions in Andrew, Atchison, Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Holt, Iron, Mississippi, New Madrid, Nodaway, Pemiscot, Scott, Stoddard, Wayne counties.

All other counties (in orange) are open to firearms hunting during the antlerless portions of the season.

How Many Firearms Antlerless Permits Can You Fill?

Each county has a limit on the number of antlerless permits you may fill.

 

Firearms Antlerless Permits Map

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2024 Firearms Antlerless Permits Map

Counties in white: During the 2024-25 deer season, hunters may not fill firearms antlerless permits in Atchison, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, and Pemiscot counties.

Counties in brown: During the 2024-25 deer season, hunters may fill one firearms antlerless permit in Andrew, Butler, Carter, Holt, Iron, Nodaway, Reynolds, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne counties.

Counties in tan: During the 2024-25 deer season, hunters may fill two firearms antlerless permits in Bollinger, Buchanan, Clinton, Dade, DeKalb, Lawrence, Madison, Shannon, and Texas counties.

Counties in blue: During the 2024-25 deer season, hunters may fill four firearms antlerless permits in Adair, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Boone, Caldwell, Callaway, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Clay, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dallas, Daviess, Dent, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Gentry, Greene, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Laclede, Lafayette, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Maries, Marion, McDonald, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Perry, Pettis, Phelps, Pike, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, Ripley, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Vernon, Warren, Washington, Webster, Worth, and Wright counties.

How Many Resident Landowner Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permits Can You Fill?

Resident landowners with at least 75 acres located in a single county or at least 75 continuous acres bisected by a county boundary, and all members of their immediate household age 6 or older, may harvest additional antlerless deer using no-cost Resident Landowner Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permits.

Resident Landowner Firearms Antlerless Permit Numbers Map

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Landowner Permit Map

Counties in brown: Qualifying resident landowners and all members of their immediate household age 6 or older may each receive one resident landowner firearms antlerless deer hunting permit in the following counties: Andrew, Atchison, Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Holt, Iron, Mississippi, New Madrid, Nodaway, Pemiscot, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne.

Counties in blue: Qualifying resident landowners and all members of their immediate household age 6 or older may each receive two resident landowner firearms antlerless deer hunting permits in the following counties: Adair, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Bollinger, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Daviess, DeKalb, Dent, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Gentry, Greene, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Laclede, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Madison, Maries, Marion, McDonald, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Perry, Pettis, Phelps, Pike, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, Reynolds, Ripley, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Warren, Washington, Webster, Worth, and Wright.

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What Are Antler-Point Restrictions?

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

Hunters who are 15 years or younger on Sept. 15 of the current year are exempt from the antler-point restriction during the archery deer season and all portions of the firearms deer season.

How to Count Antler Points

an antler with four points

Each of the following counts as a point:

  1. The end of the main beam
  2. An antler point, if it is at least 1 inch long
  3. Any broken tine that is at least 1 inch long
  4. The brow tine, if it is at least 1 inch long

Tines, main beams and brow tines all count as a point if they are at least 1-inch long. A buck with seven points is a legal deer in counties with antler-point restrictions.

Counties With a 4 Antler-Point Minimum

These counties require that bucks you harvest have at least four antler points on one side of their rack. This rule applies to both the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons. It does not apply to hunters who are 15 years or younger on Sept. 15 of the current year during the archery deer season and all portions of the firearms deer season.

2024 Antler Point Restriction Map
  • Andrew
  • Atchison
  • Bates 
  • Benton
  • Buchanan
  • Callaway
  • Cass (applies to part of county. See Kansas City Urban Zone)
  • Cooper
  • Daviess 
  • DeKalb
  • Gentry
  • Harrison
  • Henry
  • Holt
  • Johnson
  • Lafayette
  • Lincoln 
  • Marion
  • Miller
  • Moniteau
  • Morgan
  • Nodaway
  • Pettis
  • Pike 
  • Platte (applies to part of county. See Kansas City Urban Zone)
  • Ralls
  • Worth

Legal

Does, button bucks and bucks with spikes less than 3 inches are legal to take on Antlerless or Any-Deer Permits; but for deer management, it is better to take does.

Legal deer: does, button bucks, 4-point bucks

Protected

Protected deer include all antlered deer (defined as having at least one antler 3 inches or longer) that do not have a minimum of at least four points on one side.

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The CWD Management Zone includes counties that have had a CWD positive detection or are within approximately 10 miles of a CWD detection. Special regulations apply in these counties.

Special regulations apply in CWD Management Zone counties. For the 2024–25 deer season, the CWD Management Zone includes Adair, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Boone, Caldwell, Camden, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Crawford, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Grundy, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Jasper, Jefferson, Knox, Laclede, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Ripley, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Vernon, Warren, Washington, and Webster counties. 

New counties in the CWD Management Zone: Audrain, Boone, Cole, Dent, Douglas, Howard, Lewis, Maries, Monroe, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Randolph, Saline, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, and Webster.

Fall 2024 Mandatory CWD Sampling

If you harvest a deer from designated counties in the CWD Management Zone during Nov. 16 or 17, 2024, you must take your deer — or just the head — to a CWD sampling station on the day of harvest. Hunters are reminded to follow carcass transport regulations when traveling to CWD sampling stations.

Counties Open to Firearm Hunting During CWD Portion of Season

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2024 CWD Portion Counties

Counties in orange: open to firearms hunting during CWD portion of deer season. Includes Adair, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Boone, Caldwell, Camden, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Crawford, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Grundy, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Jasper, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Laclede, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Ripley, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Pemiscot, Vermon, Warren, Washington, Webster counties.

All other counties are closed to firearms hunting during CWD portion of deer season.

Special Regulations for the CWD Management Zone

Carcass Movement Restrictions

  • All deer harvested from CWD Management Zone counties must be Telechecked before any parts are transported out of the county of harvest.
  • Hunters wishing to transport any part of the deer with the spinal column or brain present may only do so if within 48 hours of exiting the county if they deliver the carcass to a licensed meat processor or the head to a licensed taxidermist or to an approved MDC CWD sampling site. Note: On Nov. 16-17, heads must be taken on the day of harvest to a mandatory CWD sampling station.
  • The following parts may be transported out of CWD Management Zone counties without restriction:
    • Meat that is cut and wrapped or that has been boned out
    • Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached
    • Hides from which all excess tissue has been removed
    • Antlers or antlers attached to skull plates or skulls cleaned of all muscle and brain tissue
    • Finished taxidermy products

Prohibition on Feeding

Grain, salt products, minerals and other consumable products used to attract deer are prohibited year-round within CWD Management Zone counties. The following exceptions are allowed:

  • Feed placed within 100 feet of any residence or occupied building
  • Feed placed in a manner that excludes access by deer
  • Feed and minerals used solely for normal agricultural, forest management, or wildlife food plot production practices
  • Feed placed as part of a feral hog or CWD management effort authorized by the Conservation Department

Other Special Regulations for the CWD Management Zone

  • Antler-Point Restriction: MDC has removed the antler-point restriction for CWD Management Zone counties. This was done so young bucks are no longer protected from harvest because these deer are the most likely to disperse from the area in which they were born and thus spread CWD to new areas.

Bringing Harvested Deer or Other Cervids Into Missouri

  • For deer, elk, moose, or caribou harvested out of state, only the following parts may be brought into Missouri:
    • Meat that is cut and wrapped or that has been boned out
    • Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached
    • Hides from which all excess tissue has been removed
    • Antlers or antlers attached to skull plates or skulls cleaned of all muscle and brain tissue
    • Upper canine teeth
    • Finished taxidermy products
  • The head with the cape and not more than 6 inches of neck attached may be brought into Missouri only if taken to a licensed taxidermist within 48 hours of entry.

Hunters and Landowners Can Slow the Spread of CWD

Surveillance suggests that CWD is relatively rare in Missouri. There is hope that we can minimize the long-term impacts of the disease if we slow its spread. You can help by:

  • Complying with CWD-related regulations.
  • Properly disposing of deer carcasses in a permitted landfill or by burying carcasses on the property where they were harvested. (Transporting deer carcasses from the property where they were harvested and leaving them lay on the land introduces the greatest risk for disease spread.)
  • Reporting sick deer to your local conservation agent or your regional MDC office.
  • Voluntarily testing deer harvested in the CWD Management Zone outside of opening weekend.
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For your safety, you are urged to wear hunter orange whenever you are hunting.

When Hunter Orange Is Required

You must wear hunter orange if:

  • You are hunting any species of game during firearms deer season. Some exceptions are allowed. See below.
  • You are hunting elk or accompanying an elk hunter during the firearms portion of the elk season.
  • You are hunting black bear or accompanying a black bear hunter.
  • You are hunting on an area that is having a managed firearms deer hunt.
  • You are serving as a mentor to another hunter during firearms deer season or on an area that is having a managed firearms deer hunt.

To satisfy this rule, you must wear both a hunter-orange hat and a hunter-orange shirt, vest, or coat. The hunter-orange color must be plainly visible from all sides. Camouflage orange does not satisfy this rule.

When Hunter Orange Is Not Required

You don’t have to wear hunter orange during firearms deer season, on an area that is having a managed firearms deer hunt, or during the firearms portion of the elk season if:

  • You are hunting migratory game birds.
  • You are archery hunting within municipal boundaries where the discharge of firearms is prohibited.
  • You are hunting on federal or state land where deer hunting is restricted to archery methods.
  • You are using an archery permit during the alternative methods portion.
  • You are archery or small game hunting during the antlerless or CWD portions in a closed county.
  • You are hunting small game or furbearers during the alternative methods portion.
  • You are hunting small game or furbearers during the firearms portion of the elk season.
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View the list of conservation areas with deer hunting. The allowed methods are listed. Click on an area to find out more information about it.

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Kansas City urban zone

  • Portion of Platte County south of Hwy 92
  • Portion of Cass County north of Route 2
  • All portions of Clay and Jackson counties
Kansas City Urban Zone Deer Map

Questions? Contact our regional office

Kansas City Region
12405 SE Ranson Road
Lee’s Summit, MO 64082
816-622-0900

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Allowed hunting methods vary by portion

Allowed hunting methods vary by portion. Be sure to view season information and the General Hunting Regulations before you hunt.

Hunter-orange requirement

Hunter orange is required during the firearms elk portion. Read all the hunter-orange requirements before hunting.

Baiting regulations

Prohibited

Use of bait — which includes grain or other feed placed or scattered so as to attract elk — while hunting is illegal.

An area is considered baited for 10 days after complete removal of the bait.

A hunter can be in violation if they take or attempt to take an elk by the aid of bait where the hunter knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited.

It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.

Mineral and salt blocks are not allowed on conservation areas.

Allowed

Elk urine and other scents, such as apple, acorn, and persimmon, may be used to attract elk while hunting, as long as the scents are not used on or with grain and other food products.

Mineral blocks, including salt, are not considered bait. However, mineral blocks that contain grain or other food additives are prohibited. Mineral and salt blocks are not allowed on conservation areas.

It is legal to hunt over a harvested crop field, but it is not legal to add grain or other crops, such as apples, to the field after it has been harvested.

Manipulating crops, such as mowing or knocking them down, is not considered baiting for elk.

Limits

Elk hunting permits are distributed by random drawing. Those that are selected to receive a permit may take one (1) elk with at least one (1) antler no less than 6” in length.

Open Counties

Only Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties are open to elk hunting. The refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area is closed to elk hunting.

Assisting other elk hunters

Adults who accompany youth hunters ages 11-15 do not need an elk hunting permit. The adult must be 18 or older and be hunter-education certified or born before January 1, 1967.

At all other times during the elk hunting season, a filled or unfilled elk hunting permit is required to assist others in taking elk, which includes calling. A filled or unfilled elk hunting permit is not required to accompany an elk hunter as long as the accompanying individual does not assist in the taking of an elk.

Tree stands placed on Conservation Department areas

Portable tree stands may be placed or used only between September 1 and January 31 on Conservation Department areas. Unattended stands must be plainly labeled on durable material with your full name and address, or Conservation number. You may not use nails, screw-in steps, or any material that would damage the tree. Tree stands must be removed from the area before February 1.

Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program

Special rules apply on areas enrolled in the Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP). For example, on MRAP areas you must remove your tree stand when you leave each day. When hunting on an MRAP area, it is your responsibility to read and follow the rules that are posted at the area.

Retrieval of game

If you kill or injure an elk, you must make a reasonable effort to retrieve and include the animal in your season limit. However, this does not authorize trespass. It is illegal to leave or abandon commonly edible portions of game.

Use of dogs to hunt and recover game

You may not use dogs or bring them with you while hunting elk. However, leashed dogs under direct control of a handler may be used to track and recover wounded elk.

Handlers and other people assisting with tracking do not need hunting permits, provided they are not the person who wounded the elk. They may not have in their possession a firearm, bow, or crossbow, except for concealable firearms as defined in Chapter 571, RSMo. Concealable firearms pos­sessed under this exception may not be used to take wildlife.

Read regulations on hunting with dogs.

Immediately after Harvest

Hunters who take an elk must immediately notch the month and date of harvest to void their permit. If the elk must be left unattended prior to reporting through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System (hereafter Telecheck), the voided permit or proper label must be attached to the elk. Elk must be Telechecked by 10:00 p.m. on the day of harvest. The elk must remain intact, field-dressed, or quartered with evidence of sex retained until it has been Telechecked.

Keep elk carcasses out of streams and lakes

It is illegal to place an elk carcass or any of its parts into any well, spring, brook, branch, creek, stream, pond, or lake.

Possession and sale

Properly checked elk may be possessed by anyone if labeled with the taker’s full name, address, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number. The Telecheck confirmation number must remain attached to the carcass until a meat processor begins working on the animal.

Elk left at commercial processing or cold storage plants must be claimed by May 1 following the season taken.

Legally obtained elk heads, antlers, hides, and feet may be sold by the taker as long as the taker provides a bill of sale that shows:

  • The taker’s full name and address,
  • The species and number of parts, and
  • The full name and address of the buyer.

For elk heads and/or antlers attached to skull plates, a dated bill of sale identifying the seller must be retained while the heads or antlers are in the buyer’s possession.

Any person who finds a dead elk with antlers still attached to the skull plate may take the antlers, but must report the find to a conservation agent within 24 hours to receive authorization to possess the antlers.

No authorization is needed to possess, buy, or sell shed antlers not attached to the skull plate.

Read general regulations about giving away, possessing, storing and selling wildlife.

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Check permits and seasons for hunting dates and allowed methods

You can find dates, allowed methods and valid permits on the turkey hunting seasons section.

Assisting other turkey hunters

New! Mentors who are assisting youth hunters do not need a permit during the youth spring turkey season and the youth portions of firearms deer season.

At all other times, mentors must possess a valid hunting permit for the appropriate season or be exempt. In the case of deer and turkey permits, the mentor’s permit can be filled or unfilled.

Baiting regulations

  • Use of bait - which includes grain or other feed placed or scattered as to attract turkeys – while hunting is illegal.
  • An area is considered baited for 10 days after complete removal of the bait.
  • A hunter can be in violation if they take or attempt to take a turkey by the aid of bait where the hunter knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited.
  • It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.
  • Mineral blocks, including salt, are not considered bait, but mineral blocks that contain grain or other food additives are prohibited.
  • It is legal to hunt over a harvested crop field, but it is illegal to add grain or other crops, such as apples, to the field after it has been harvested.
  • Manipulating crops, such as mowing or knocking them down, is not considered baiting for turkeys.

Voiding permits

Hunters who harvest a turkey must void their permit immediately by notching the month and day of harvest.

Tagging and checking

As long as you stay with your harvested turkey, you don't need to attach your notched permit to the bird, but you must keep your permit on hand. If you leave your turkey, you must attach your permit to the turkey's leg. See the Telecheck page for more information on how to properly tag and check your bird.

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Hunting Methods

Firearms

Only shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller, are allowed for hunting migratory game birds.

If a shotgun can hold more than three shells, it must be plugged with a one-piece filler that cannot be removed without disassembling the gun.

Concealment devices

You can't use a sink box or anything else that conceals you below the surface of the water.

Motorized transportation

Hunting from a motor vehicle, including aircraft, is not allowed. Paraplegics and persons missing one or both legs are exempted from this regulation.

Motorized vehicles, including aircraft, or motor boats or sailboats may not be used to round up migratory birds.

You can't hunt from a motorboat or sailboat unless the motor is off or sails furled.

Decoys and calls

Live decoys are prohibited. All tame or captive ducks and geese must be removed 10 days prior to hunting. All tame or captive ducks and geese must be kept where migratory waterfowl cannot see them and their calls are quieted.

Recorded or amplified bird calls or amplified imitations of bird calls are not allowed.

Baiting

You can't bait your hunting area. All bait must be removed 10 days prior to hunting.

Hunting over freshly planted food plots is prohibited.

Possession and Transportation

Wanton Waste

All hunters must make a reasonable effort to retrieve any bird killed or crippled while hunting. The bird must be in the hunter's custody until it is brought back to the hunter's lodging or a taxidermist.

Opening Day Of A Season

On the opening day of the season, no person shall possess any freshly killed migratory game birds in excess of the daily bag limit.

Field Possession Limit

No person shall have more than the daily bag limit of migratory game birds, tagged or not tagged, at or between the place where taken and either (a) one’s automobile or principal means of land transportation; or (b) one’s personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging; or (c) a migratory bird preservation facility; or (d) a post office; or (e) a common carrier facility.

Tagging Requirements

All hunters must tag migratory birds before giving the bird to another person for processing, storage, or for taxidermy. The tag will have the hunter's address, number and species of birds, and the date the birds were killed, and be signed by the hunter.

All birds must be tagged before the hunter gives the birds as a gift, or are transported by another person. If the birds are mailed or shipped, the box must have the tagging information.

Species Identification Requirement

All waterfowl must have the head or one fully-feathered wing attached while the bird is in transit to the hunter's home or taxidermist.

Youth Waterfowl Regulations

Each year, there are two youth-only waterfowl hunting days in each zone for ducks, geese and coots. Youth hunters must be:

  • age 15 or younger
  • accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older who is not allowed to hunt ducks but who can participate in other open seasons.

No permits are required for youth hunters. If the youth possesses a valid hunter-education certificate card, the accompanying adult does not need a permit or hunter-ed certification. However, if the youth is not hunter-ed certified, the accompanying adult must be hunter-ed certified unless they were born before Jan. 1, 1967, and possess a Missouri permit to hunt small game or be exempt.

Shooting hours and limits are the same as the regular duck, goose, and coot seasons.

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To pursue, take, possess, and transport ducks, coots, and geese in Missouri, except during the Conservation Order, you must possess and carry all three of the items listed below, unless exempt.

To pursue doves, rails, snipe, and woodcock in Missouri you must posses and carry the first two items listed below, unless exempt.

1) a Missouri Small Game Hunting Permit is required of:

  • Missouri residents age 16 through 64
  • Nonresidents age 16 and older

An annual permit is available to residents for $10.50 and to nonresidents for $98 from any permit vendor. A daily permit is also available to nonresidents from any permit vendor for $14.50 per day.

Exemption: Missouri resident landowners hunting on their own land do not need a Missouri Small Game Hunting Permit, but the Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and Duck Stamp are required (see below).

2) Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit is required of:

  • Residents and nonresidents age 16 and over.

This permit is available for $6.50 from any permit vendor. Purchase of this permit satisfies requirements for Migratory Game Bird Harvest Registration.

3) Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is required of: Residents and nonresidents age 16 and over. To be valid, the federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (duck stamp) must be signed in ink across the face.

Stamps are available for $25 at some U.S. Post Offices, MDC regional offices, nature centers, and visitor’s centers, but not at permit vendors or waterfowl hunting conservation areas.

Duck stamps are also available online at the Buy e-Permits link below or at Missouri permit vendors. The electronic duck stamp, or e-Stamp, allows customers to purchase the Federal Duck Stamp online and use it immediately. The e-Stamp costs $32 and is valid for the entire season. You no longer need to sign and carry a physical duck stamp after the purchase of an e-Stamp. After the purchase of an e-Stamp, a physical duck stamp will be mailed to you sometime after March of the following year.

https://mdc-web.s3licensing.com/

Permit Requirements for Hunters Younger Than 16

Resident and nonresident hunters age 15 and younger are not required to purchase any permits to hunt ducks, coots or geese in Missouri. However, they must have in their possession a valid Hunter Education Certificate Card while hunting or be in the immediate presence of an adult age 18 or older who possesses a Missouri small game hunting permit and is hunter education certified or born before Jan. 1, 1967.

Permit Requirement for Light-Goose Conservation Order

During the Conservation Order residents and nonresidents age 16 and older only need a Conservation Order Permit to chase, pursue and take snow, blue and Ross’s geese. This permit costs $5.50 for residents and $49 for nonresidents. Hunters with either a Resident Lifetime Conservation Partner Permit or a Resident Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit do not need to purchase a Conservation Order Permit to hunt light geese during the Conservation Order.

Hunters 15 years old and younger do not need a Conservation Order Permit, but must possess a valid hunter-education certificate card or hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult 18 years old or older who is hunter-education certified or was born before January 1, 1967.

Note: A Missouri small game hunting permit, Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and Federal Duck Stamp are not required during the Conservation Order.

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When is Nontoxic shot required?

  • All waterfowl hunting (ducks, geese, teal, and coots)
  • Hunting dove, rails, snipe, and woodcock on public areas with nontoxic shot requirement posted.
  • Hunting with a shotgun (including dove, turkey, quail, rabbit, squirrel) on thirty-seven conservation areas.

Waterfowl hunters in Missouri have used nontoxic shot since 1991. This requirement has been shown to reduce the incidences of lead poisoning in wildlife.

Approved types of nontoxic shot

These shot types have been approved as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (as of January 2019):

  • Bismuth-tin
  • Copper-clad iron
  • Corrosion-inhibited copper (CIC)
  • Iron (steel)
  • Iron-tungsten
  • Iron-tungsten-nickel
  • Tungsten-bronze (two types)
  • Tungsten-iron-copper-nickel
  • Tungsten-iron-polymer
  • Tungsten-matrix
  • Tungsten-polymer
  • Tungsten-tin-bismuth
  • Tungsten-tin-iron
  • Tungsten-tin-iron-nickel

All Hunting

Use or possession of lead shot is prohibited for all hunting with a shotgun on the following conservation areas:

  • Aspinwall Bend
  • Black Island
  • Bob Brown
  • Church Farm
  • Columbia Bottom
  • Cooley Lake
  • Coon Island
  • Corning
  • Deroin Bend
  • Diana Bend
  • Duck Creek
  • Eagle Bluffs
  • Franklin Island
  • Frost Island
  • Fountain Grove
  • Four Rivers
  • Grand Pass
  • B. K. Leach Memorial
  • Little Bean Marsh
  • Little River
  • Lower Hamburg Bend
  • Marais Temps Clair
  • Montrose
  • Nishnabotna
  • Nodaway Valley
  • Otter Slough
  • Ralph and Martha Perry
  • Platte Falls
  • Plowboy Bend
  • Rose Pond
  • Rush Bottoms
  • Schell-Osage
  • Settle’s Ford
  • Ted Shanks
  • Ten Mile Pond
  • Thurnau
  • Wolf Creek Bend

Dove Hunting

Use or possession of lead shot for hunting doves is prohibited on the following conservation areas:

  • Bilby Ranch Lake
  • Blue Spring Branch Conservation Area
  • Bois D’Arc
  • August A . Busch
  • Capps Creek Conservation Area
  • Crowley’s Ridge
  • Davisdale
  • Fort Crowder Conservation Area
  • Harmony Mission Lake
  • Lamine River
  • William R . Logan
  • Maintz Wildlife Preserve
  • Pacific Palisades
  • Guy B . Park
  • Peabody
  • Pony Express Lake
  • James A . Reed Memorial Wildlife Area
  • Reform
  • Shawnee Trail Conservation Area
  • Sloan (Dr. O.E. and Eloise) Conservation Area
  • Stockton Lake Management Lands
  • Robert E . Talbot
  • Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Bethlehem)
  • Weldon Spring
  • Whetstone Creek
  • White (William G . and Erma Parke) Memorial Wildlife Area

Nontoxic shot is safer for wildlife and people

Lead is poisonous to both people and wildlife. Research shows that doves, waterfowl, and many other species of birds can suffer from lead poisoning after consuming lead pellets from spent shotgun shells. Lead poisoning can be fatal to birds and other wildlife, including bald eagles that feed on waterfowl with lead shot in the carcasses.

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Trumpeter swans are protected by federal and state laws and may not be shot.

Trumpeter swans are twice the size of Canada geese and four times the size of snow geese. Young swans are gray.

Identification tips:

Trumpeter Swan

  • White wings and body
  • White wingtips
  • Long white neck
  • Black bill
  • Length: 4 ft.
  • Wingspan: 7 ft.
  • Weight: 20-30 lbs.

Canada Goose

  • Gray and white body and wings
  • Black head, neck and bill with white cheek patch
  • Length: 2 ft.
  • Wingspan: 5 ft.
  • Weight: 10-12 lbs.

Snow Goose

  • White, with black wing tips
  • Short neck
  • Length: 1 1/2 ft.
  • Wingspan: 3 1/2 ft.
  • Weight: 5-6 lbs.
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Notification Requirement

Bobcats or their pelts must be delivered to an agent of the Conservation Department for registration or tagging before selling, transferring, tanning or mounting by April 10. Tagged bobcats or their pelts may be possessed by the taker throughout the year and may be sold only to licensed taxidermists, tanners or fur dealers. It is illegal to purchase or sell untagged bobcats or their pelts.

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Coyotes may NOT be hunted during daylight hours from April 1 until the start of spring turkey season.

During spring turkey season, coyotes may be taken using only methods allowed for spring turkey, and hunters must have an unfilled turkey permit and a permit to hunt small game.

Dogs may not be used to hunt coyotes during daylight hours statewide from November 1 to the close of the November portion of the firearms deer season and during the antlerless portions in open counties.

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Nontoxic shot required on posted public areas and conservation areas.

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Groundhog pelts can be possessed and sold throughout the year. Cage-type traps may be used if the trap is:

  • Labeled with your name and address or your conservation number 
  • Is attended daily
  • Has an opening 144 square inches or smaller
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Otter pelts must be registered or tagged by a conservation agent before selling, transferring, tanning or mounting by April 10.

Tagged otter pelts may be possessed by the taker throughout the year and may be sold only to licensed taxidermists, tanners, or fur dealers.

It is illegal to purchase or sell untagged otters or their pelts.

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Only male pheasants may be taken.

A foot or fully feathered head must be left attached to pheasants during transportation and storage.

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Only cottontail and swamp rabbits may be hunted. Jackrabbits are protected at all times and may not be hunted or trapped.

During Deer Season

During daylight hours of the November portion of the firearms deer hunting season, rabbits may not be chased, pursued or taken with the aid of dogs in Butler, Carter, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon or Wayne counties.

During the November and antlerless portions (in areas where open) of the firearms deer season, rabbits may be hunted only with a .22 caliber or smaller rim-fire or a shotgun and shot not larger than No. 4. This does not apply to waterfowl hunters, trappers, or to landowners on their land.

Use of Cage-type Traps

In addition to prescribed hunting methods, you may take rabbits with a cage-type trap at any hour during the open hunting season if you possess a hunting permit.

The cage-type trap must:

  • be labeled with your full name and address
  • be attended daily, and
  • have an opening 144 square inches or smaller
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Shotguns only.

Nontoxic shot required on posted public areas and conservation areas.

Prohibited Methods:

  • Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, unless plugged
  • Hunting from a motor vehicle or motorboat
  • Using live birds as decoys
  • Using recorded or amplified calls
  • Baiting

Birds must be tagged (with the taker's signature, address, total number and species of birds, and the date that the birds were killed), if left any place other than the hunter's home.

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Shotguns only.

Nontoxic shot required on posted public areas and conservation areas.

Prohibited Methods:

  • Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, unless plugged
  • Hunting from a motor vehicle or motorboat
  • Using live birds as decoys
  • Using recorded or amplified calls
  • Baiting

Birds must be tagged (with the taker's signature, address, total number and species of birds, and the date that the birds were killed), if left any place other than the hunter's home.

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During Deer Season

During daylight hours of the November portion of the firearms deer hunting season, squirrels may not be chased, pursued or taken with the aid of dogs in Butler, Carter, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon or Wayne counties.

During the November and antlerless portions (in areas where open) of the firearms deer season, squirrels may be hunted only with a .22 caliber or smaller rim-fire or a shotgun and shot not larger than No. 4. This does not apply to waterfowl hunters, trappers, or to landowners on their land.

Use of Cage-type Traps

In addition to prescribed hunting methods, you may take squirrels with a cage-type trap at any hour during the open hunting season if you possess a hunting permit.

The cage-type trap must:

  • be labeled with your full name and address
  • be attended daily, and
  • have an opening 144 square inches or smaller
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Shotguns only.

Nontoxic shot required on posted public areas and conservation areas.

Prohibited Methods:

  • Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, unless plugged
  • Hunting from a motor vehicle or motorboat
  • Using live birds as decoys
  • Using recorded or amplified calls
  • Baiting

Birds must be tagged (with the taker's signature, address, total number and species of birds, and the date that the birds were killed), if left any place other than the hunter's home.