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

Bear: Season

Season Not Open
October 16, 2023 to October 25, 2023
Hours

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

One black bear of either sex with the following restrictions:

  • You are required to call 800-668-4045 to determine the daily season quota/closure status prior to hunting each day. In addition, if the harvest has reached or exceeded 80 percent of the harvest quota, the director of the Conservation Department may close hunting within that Black Bear Management Zone on the following day.
  • Once the harvest quota is met or the Director closes the season for the BMZ in which you are hunting, the season is over, and you may not harvest a black bear.
  • Black bears that have taken refuge in a den may not be harvested or harassed.
  • 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.
Bear: Permits
Learn more about the species
Black Bear
Bear
Hunting

Ducks, Coots, and Geese Hunting: Youth: Middle Zone

Season Not Open
October 21, 2023 to October 22, 2023
Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone.

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

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 hens)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
​Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Geese
Light geese: Daily limit 20, no possession limit
Canada/brant geese (combined): Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
White-fronted geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

Youth do not need a permit to hunt.

Youth must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. If the youth is not hunter-education certified, the adult must (1) be hunter-education certified unless they were born before Jan. 1, 1967 and (2) possess a permit to hunt small game or be exempt..

Note: Adult hunters assisting youths during the regular waterfowl seasons must have a permit to hunt small game, a Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and a Federal Duck Stamp.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

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

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.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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

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
Waterfowl in water
Waterfowl
Hunting
Canada goose in water
Goose
Hunting

Ducks, Coots, and Geese Hunting: Youth: North Zone

Season Not Open
October 21, 2023 to October 22, 2023
Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the north zone.

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

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Geese
Light geese: Daily limit 20, no possession limit
Canada/brant geese (combined): Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
White-fronted geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

Youth do not need a permit to hunt.

Youth must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. If the youth is not hunter-education certified, the adult must (1) be hunter-education certified unless they were born before Jan. 1, 1967 and (2) possess a permit to hunt small game or be exempt..

Note: Adult hunters assisting youths during the regular waterfowl seasons must have a permit to hunt small game, a Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and a Federal Duck Stamp.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

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

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.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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

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
Waterfowl in water
Waterfowl
Hunting
Canada goose in water
Goose
Hunting

Elk Hunting: Archery

Season Not Open
October 21, 2023 to October 29, 2023
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

Pheasant: Hunting: Youth

Season Not Open
October 28, 2023 to October 29, 2023
Notes

Open to youths age 6 through 15. Youths who are not hunter-education certified must hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult; however, the adult may not hunt pheasants.

Only male pheasants may be taken. A foot or fully-feathered head must be left attached during transportation and storage.

Daily limit: 2 male pheasants
Possession limit: 4 male pheasants

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)

Pheasant: 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 a male ring-necked pheasant walking on the ground.
Pheasant
Hunting

Quail: Hunting: Youth

Season Not Open
October 28, 2023 to October 29, 2023
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

Ducks and Coots Hunting: North Zone

Season Open
October 28, 2023 to December 26, 2023
Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the north zone.

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
​Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Three permits are required.

  1. Small Game Hunting Permit
  2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
  3. Federal Duck Stamp
Federal Duck Stamp
Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
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

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

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

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.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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

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
Waterfowl in water
Waterfowl
Hunting

Pheasant: Hunting

Season Open
November 1, 2023 to January 15, 2024
Notes

Only male pheasants may be taken. A foot or fully-feathered head must be left attached during transportation and storage.

Daily limit: 2 male pheasants
Possession limit: 4 male pheasants

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

Pheasant: 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 a male ring-necked pheasant walking on the ground.
Pheasant
Hunting

Quail: Hunting

Season Open
November 1, 2023 to January 15, 2024

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

Crow: Hunting

Season Open
November 1, 2023 to March 3, 2024
Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Daily limit: Any number
Possession limit: Any number

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

Crow: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Pistols

Revolvers

Rifles

Shotguns

Electronic calls or electronically activated calls may be used

Additional Info

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion statewide and antlerless portion in open counties, only pistols, revolvers, rifles, or shotguns may be used. These firearms must fire .22 caliber or smaller rimfire cartridges or shot no larger than No. 4. This restriction does not apply to landowners hunting on land they own.

Learn more about the species
Photograph of American Crow
Crow
Hunting