Hunting & Trapping Seasons

Check the Code

This is NOT a legal document. Regulations are subject to revision during the current year.

Refer to the Wildlife Code

Elk Hunting: Archery

Season Not Open
October 19, 2024 to October 27, 2024
Hours

One-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset

Notes

Antlered Elk Hunting permits can be used during both the archery and firearms portions of the elk hunting season.

Those selected to receive a permit may take one (1) elk with at least one (1) antler no less than 6” in length.

Elk hunting permits are distributed by random drawing.

Antlered Elk Hunting Permit

Elk: Archery: Allowed Methods

Longbow, compound bow, or recurve bow of any draw weight

Atlatls, which are defined as a rod or narrow board-like device used to launch, through a throwing motion of the arm, a dart 5 to 8 feet long

Hand-held string releasing devices

Illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights

Crossbow 

Elk: Archery: Prohibited Methods

Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game

Use of electronic calls, electronically activated calls, bait, dogs, or night vision equipment

Hunting elk from a boat with a motor attached

Hunting elk while they are in a stream or other body of water

Hunting within any area enclosed by a fence greater than seven feet (7’) in height

Archers hunting elk during the archery portion may not be in possession of a firearm. Some exceptions apply. See 3 CSR 10-7.705 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

Learn more about the species
Bull Elk at Peck Ranch
Elk
Hunting

Turkey: Spring: Youth (ages 6-15)

Season Not Open
April 12, 2025 to April 13, 2025
Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

Youth hunters who are age 6-15 on opening day may hunt.

Youth may also hunt during the regular Spring Turkey season.

During the spring youth season, one male turkey or turkey with visible beard


Youths who take a turkey during the youth season may not harvest a second bird until the second Monday of the regular season. This is because the bird taken during the youth season counts as the first bird for the first week of the regular season.
 

Spring Turkey Hunting Permit

Turkey: Spring: Allowed Methods

Shotguns with shot not larger than No. 4

Longbows, recurve bows, or compound bows. Hand-held string releasing devices, illuminated sights, scopes, and quick point sights are allowed.

Crossbows

Atlatls

Turkey: Spring: Prohibited Methods

Shotguns capable of holding more than 3 shells in magazine and chamber combined

Shot larger than No. 4 (in use or in possession)

Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game

Thermal imagery equipment or night vision equipment (in use or in possession)

Recorded calls (in use or in possession)

Use of dogs or live decoys

 

Use of bait, which includes grain or other feed placed or scattered so as to attract turkeys. An area is considered baited for 10 days even after complete removal of the bait. A hunter can be in violation even if he or she did not know an area was or is baited. It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.

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Large turkey with feathers flared
Turkey
Hunting

Quail: Hunting

Season Not Open
November 1, 2024 to January 15, 2025

Daily limit: 8
Possession limit: 16

Small Game Hunting Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

Quail: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Shotgun

Additional Info

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion statewide and antlerless portion in open counties, shot must be no larger than No. 4. This restriction does not apply to landowners hunting on land they own.

Learn more about the species
Photo of male northern bobwhite
Quail
Hunting

Coyote: Hunting

Season Open
January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
Hours

Coyotes may not be taken during the daylight hours from April 1 through the day prior to the beginning of the Spring Turkey Hunting season

Notes

Coyotes, except as otherwise provided in this section, may be taken by hunting, and pelts and carcasses may be possessed, transported, and sold in any numbers throughout the year.

Special method restrictions apply during spring turkey season, elk season and deer season. See Allowed & Prohibited methods.

Daily limit: Any number
Possession limit: Any number

Special Provision for Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion, Antlerless portion and CWD portion in open counties, furbearer hunters must also possess an unfilled firearms deer hunting permit if hunting during daylight hours.

During spring turkey season, coyote hunters must also possess an unfilled spring turkey hunting permit.

Small Game Hunting Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit
Archer's Hunting Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

Furbearers: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Pistols, revolvers, and rifles propelling a single projectile at one discharge

Firearms powered by spring, air, or compressed gas

Shotguns not larger than 10 gauge with magazine cut off or plugged to reduce the capacity to not more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined.

Bows, including longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows.

Crossbows

Atlatls

Slingshots

Dogs may be used (Dogs may not be used during daylight hours of elk season, from Nov. 1 through the end of November portion statewide, the antlerless portion, and CWD portion in open areas.)

Electronic calls or electronically activated calls may be used.

Additional Info

During spring turkey season, coyotes may be taken only during legal shooting hours for turkey hunting, using only methods allowed for spring turkey hunting, and hunters must have an unfilled spring turkey hunting permit and either a Resident Small Game Hunting Permit or a Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit.

During the November portion statewide and the antlerless and CWD portions in open counties, furbearers may be hunted within the established furbearer hunting season during daylight hours using any legal deer hunting method. Hunters must have an unfilled firearms deer hunting permit and either a Resident Small Game Hunting Permit or a Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit.

Additional Allowed Methods For Coyotes (Feb. 1 - March 31)

During this time the below equipment is allowed in conjunction with other legal hunting methods to pursue and take coyotes.

  • Artificial light
  • Night vision equipment
  • Infrared or thermal imagery equipment

Furbearers: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

Arrows containing any drug, poison, chemical, or explosive

Poisons, tranquilizing drugs, chemicals, or explosives

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

Artificial lights to search for, harass, or disturb wildlife (see special allowed methods for coyote)

You may not take wildlife from or across a public roadway with a firearm, bow, or crossbow

Additional Info

Night Vision or 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

  • Landowners may use on their property to kill feral swine.
  • Hunting coyotes from Feb 1. through March 31

Additional Prohibited Methods (Date Specific)

Furbearers cannot be chased, pursued, or taken with the aid of dogs

  • during the daylight hours of Elk Season in open counties
  • during the daylight hours Nov 1 through the end of the main November portion of Deer Season
  • during the daylight hours of the Antlerless portion of Deer Season in open counties
  • during the daylight hours of the CWD portion of Deer Season in open counties

 

 

 

Learn more about the species
Coyote in the winter
Coyote
Hunting & Trapping

Elk Hunting: Firearms

Season Not Open
December 14, 2024 to December 22, 2024
Hours

One-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset

Notes

Antlered Elk Hunting Permits can be used during both the archery and firearms portions of the elk hunting season.

Those selected to receive a permit may take one (1) elk with at least one (1) antler no less than 6” in length.

Elk hunting permits are distributed by random drawing.

Antlered Elk Hunting Permit

Elk: Firearms: Allowed Methods

Centerfire pistols, revolvers, or rifles using expanding-type bullets such as lead or copper.

Shotguns (including .410) 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 of any draw weight. Hand-held string-releasing devices, illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights are allowed.

Crossbows

Atlatls

Elk: Firearms Prohibited Methods

Self-loading firearms with capacity of more than 11 cartridges in magazine and chamber combined

Ammunition propelling more than one projectile at a single discharge (such as buckshot)

Full hard metal case projectiles

Fully automatic firearms

Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game

Use of electronic calls, electronically activated calls, bait, dogs, or night vision equipment

Hunting elk from a boat with a motor attached

Hunting elk while they are in a stream or other body of water

Hunting within any area enclosed by a fence greater than seven feet (7’) in height

Additional methods may be prohibited by local ordinances.

Learn more about the species
Bull Elk at Peck Ranch
Elk
Hunting

Woodcock: Hunting

Season Not Open
October 18, 2024 to December 1, 2024
Hours

One half hour before sunrise to sunset

Daily limit: 3
Possession limit: 9

  1. Small Game Hunting Permit
  2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
Small Game Hunting Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit
Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

Migratory Birds: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.

Hunting dogs

Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Additional Info

Special Provision for Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion and Antlerless portion in open counties, shot must be no larger than No. 4.

Migratory Birds: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

Rifles and pistols

Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge

Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances

Lead shot is prohibited at some conservation areas.

Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle.

Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water

Electronic calls or electronically activated calls

Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game

Night vision or thermal imagery equipment

Live decoys

Bait

Learn more about the species
Woodcock in grass
Woodcock
Hunting (Migratory Bird)

Quail: Hunting: Youth

Season Not Open
October 26, 2024 to October 27, 2024
Notes

Open to youths age 6 through 15.

Youth who are not hunter-education certified must hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed mentor; however, the mentor may not hunt quail.

Daily limit: 8
Possession limit: 16

Open to youth age 6-15. Youths who are not hunter-education certified must hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed mentor. Mentors may not hunt.

Small Game Hunting Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only)

Quail: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Shotgun

Additional Info

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion statewide and antlerless portion in open counties, shot must be no larger than No. 4. This restriction does not apply to landowners hunting on land they own.

Learn more about the species
Photo of male northern bobwhite
Quail
Hunting

Coyote: Trapping

Season Open
November 15, 2024 to February 28, 2025
Notes

Extended trapping season on private land from March 1 to April 14. Only foot-hold traps, foot-enclosing traps, and cage-type traps may be used.

Daily limit: Any number
Possession limit: Any number

Resident Trapping Permit
Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit

Furbearers: Trapping: Allowed Methods

Traps must have smooth or rubber jaws only

Foot-hold trap

Conibear or other killing-type trap

Foot-enclosing trap

Cage-type trap

Colony traps with openings no greater than 6 inches in height and 6 inches wide

Cable restraint devices

Snares set underwater, have a loop 15 inches or less in diameter when set, have a stop device that prevents snare from closing to less than 2 1/2 inches in diameter, made with cable that is between 5/64 inch and 1/8 inch in diameter, and have a mechanical lock and anchor swivel.

From March 1 through April 14 only foot-hold traps, foot-enclosing traps, and cage-type traps may be used to trap coyote, opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk.

From August 1 through October 15 only foot-enclosing traps and cage-type traps may be used to trap opossum, raccoon,

Additional Info

Within communities having 10,000 or more inhabitants, only cage-type or foot-enclosing traps, may be set within 150 feet of any residence or occupied building.

Furbearers: Trapping: Prohibited Methods

Dogs may not be used for aquatic furbearers (beaver, muskrat, mink, otter) 

Snares on land

Pitfalls

Deadfalls

Nets

Traps may not be set in paths made or used by people or domestic animals.

Killing-type traps may not be set along public roadways.

Traps may not be placed or set before midnight of the first day of the applicable trapping season and must be removed by midnight of the last day of the applicable trapping season.

Additional Info

 

 

Learn more about the species
Coyote in the winter
Coyote
Hunting & Trapping

Deer: Firearms: November Portion

Season Not Open
November 15, 2025 to November 25, 2025
Hours

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

Notes
  • Only one antlered deer may be taken during the entire firearms season (all portions combined).
  • You may take only two antlered deer during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined.
  • Each county limits the number of antlerless deer hunting permits you can fill during the entire firearms season. See map.

Resident and nonresident youths ages 6-15 are eligible to purchase a half-priced Archer's Hunting Permits and Archery Antlerless Deer Hunting Permits.

Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit
Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit

Deer: Firearms: Allowed Methods

Centerfire pistols, revolvers or rifles using expanding-type bullets; legal ammunition includes lead bullets, copper bullets and bullets made of other material designed to expand.

Shotguns (including .410) with slugs only

Air-powered firearms, .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 of any draw weight; hand-held string releasing devices, illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights are allowed.

Crossbows

Atlatls

Deer: Firearms: Prohibited Methods

Self-loading firearms with capacity of more than 11 cartridges in magazine and chamber combined

Ammunition propelling more than one projectile at a single discharge (such as buckshot)

Full hard metal case projectiles

Fully automatic firearms

Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game

Electronic calls or electronically activated calls

Night vision equipment

Use of bait

Use of dogs

Additional methods may be prohibited by local ordinances.

Motor driven conveyances may not be used to take, drive or molest wildlife. Deer may not be hunted from a boat with a motor attached.

Learn more about the species
deer
Deer
Hunting

Fox (Red or Gray): Hunting and Trapping

Season Open
November 15, 2024 to January 31, 2025

Daily limit: Any number
Possession limit: Any number

Special Provision for Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion, Antlerless portion and CWD portion in open counties, furbearer hunters must also possess an unfilled firearms deer hunting permit if hunting during daylight hours.

Small Game Hunting Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Archer's Hunting Permit
Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit
Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

Furbearers: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Pistols, revolvers, and rifles propelling a single projectile at one discharge

Firearms powered by spring, air, or compressed gas

Shotguns not larger than 10 gauge with magazine cut off or plugged to reduce the capacity to not more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined.

Bows, including longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows.

Crossbows

Atlatls

Slingshots

Dogs may be used (Dogs may not be used during daylight hours of elk season, from Nov. 1 through the end of November portion statewide, the antlerless portion, and CWD portion in open areas.)

Electronic calls or electronically activated calls may be used.

Additional Info

During spring turkey season, coyotes may be taken only during legal shooting hours for turkey hunting, using only methods allowed for spring turkey hunting, and hunters must have an unfilled spring turkey hunting permit and either a Resident Small Game Hunting Permit or a Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit.

During the November portion statewide and the antlerless and CWD portions in open counties, furbearers may be hunted within the established furbearer hunting season during daylight hours using any legal deer hunting method. Hunters must have an unfilled firearms deer hunting permit and either a Resident Small Game Hunting Permit or a Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit.

Additional Allowed Methods For Coyotes (Feb. 1 - March 31)

During this time the below equipment is allowed in conjunction with other legal hunting methods to pursue and take coyotes.

  • Artificial light
  • Night vision equipment
  • Infrared or thermal imagery equipment

Furbearers: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

Arrows containing any drug, poison, chemical, or explosive

Poisons, tranquilizing drugs, chemicals, or explosives

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

Artificial lights to search for, harass, or disturb wildlife (see special allowed methods for coyote)

You may not take wildlife from or across a public roadway with a firearm, bow, or crossbow

Additional Info

Night Vision or 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

  • Landowners may use on their property to kill feral swine.
  • Hunting coyotes from Feb 1. through March 31

Additional Prohibited Methods (Date Specific)

Furbearers cannot be chased, pursued, or taken with the aid of dogs

  • during the daylight hours of Elk Season in open counties
  • during the daylight hours Nov 1 through the end of the main November portion of Deer Season
  • during the daylight hours of the Antlerless portion of Deer Season in open counties
  • during the daylight hours of the CWD portion of Deer Season in open counties

 

 

 

Furbearers: Trapping: Allowed Methods

Traps must have smooth or rubber jaws only

Foot-hold trap

Conibear or other killing-type trap

Foot-enclosing trap

Cage-type trap

Colony traps with openings no greater than 6 inches in height and 6 inches wide

Cable restraint devices

Snares set underwater, have a loop 15 inches or less in diameter when set, have a stop device that prevents snare from closing to less than 2 1/2 inches in diameter, made with cable that is between 5/64 inch and 1/8 inch in diameter, and have a mechanical lock and anchor swivel.

From March 1 through April 14 only foot-hold traps, foot-enclosing traps, and cage-type traps may be used to trap coyote, opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk.

From August 1 through October 15 only foot-enclosing traps and cage-type traps may be used to trap opossum, raccoon,

Additional Info

Within communities having 10,000 or more inhabitants, only cage-type or foot-enclosing traps, may be set within 150 feet of any residence or occupied building.

Furbearers: Trapping: Prohibited Methods

Dogs may not be used for aquatic furbearers (beaver, muskrat, mink, otter) 

Snares on land

Pitfalls

Deadfalls

Nets

Traps may not be set in paths made or used by people or domestic animals.

Killing-type traps may not be set along public roadways.

Traps may not be placed or set before midnight of the first day of the applicable trapping season and must be removed by midnight of the last day of the applicable trapping season.

Additional Info

 

 

Learn more about the species
Red fox staring at the camera
Fox
Hunting & Trapping