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

Coyote: Hunting

Season Open
January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023
Hours

Coyotes may be taken all year except during the daylight hours from April 1 - 16, 2023.

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. See Allowed & Prohibited methods.

Daily limit: Any number
Possession limit: Any number

Special Provision for Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion and Antlerless 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 from Nov. 1 through the end of November portion statewide and the antlerless 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.

Additional Allowed Methods (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

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife. (See special allowed methods for coyote.) 

 

 

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

Light Goose Conservation Order

Season Not Open
February 7, 2023 to April 30, 2023
February 7, 2024 to April 30, 2024
Hours

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

Notes

Hunting is limited to snow geese, blue geese, and Ross's geese.

None

Hunters with a Resident Lifetime Conservation Partner Permit or a Resident Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit do not need to purchase a Conservation Order Permit.

A Missouri Small Game Hunting Permit, Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp are not required during the Light Goose Conservation Order.

Conservation Order Permit

Waterfowl: Conservation Order: Allowed Methods

Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. During the Conservation Order, you may use shotguns that are capable of holding more than three shells.

Nontoxic shot is required.

Electronic calls or electronically-activated calls

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: Conservation Order: 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

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
Canada goose in water
Goose
Hunting
Waterfowl in water
Waterfowl
Hunting

Turkey: Spring: Youth (ages 6-15)

Season Not Open
April 1, 2023 to April 2, 2023
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.

One male turkey or turkey with visible beard
Youths who take a turkey during the youth season may not harvest a second bird until April 24. 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.

Learn more about the species
Large turkey with feathers flared
Turkey
Hunting

Turkey: Spring

Season Not Open
April 17, 2023 to May 7, 2023
Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.

Two male turkeys or turkeys with visible beard may be taken during the season, with the following restrictions:

  • You may take only one turkey during the first week
  • If you do not take one during the first week, then you may take two turkeys during the second and third week.
  • You may not take two turkeys on the same day.
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.

Learn more about the species
Large turkey with feathers flared
Turkey
Hunting

Groundhog: Hunting

Season Open
May 8, 2023 to December 15, 2023
Notes

Groundhog pelts may be possessed and sold throughout the year.

Daily limit: Any number
Possession limit: Any number

Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Small Game Hunting 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

Groundhog: 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

Additional Info

You may take groundhogs 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, or Conservation ID number; must be attended daily; and have an opening of 144 square inches or smaller.

Groundhog: Firearms: 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

Crossbows

Shotguns with the magazine cut off or plugged to reduce the capacity to not more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. This restriction does not apply during the Conservation Order for light geese.

Shotguns are the only firearm allowed for hunting game birds (except crow). Pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns may be used to hunt crow.

Bows, which include longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows, illuminated sights, scopes, quickpoint sights and hand-held string releasing mechanisms may be used.

Atlatls

Slingshots

Additional Info

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion statewide and antlerless portion 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, or to landowners on their land.

Groundhog: Prohibited Methods

Arrows containing any drug, poison, chemical or explosive.

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

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

Artificial lights may be used only to hunt bullfrogs and green frogs, or to hunt raccoons and other furbearing animals when treed with the aid of dogs. Using lights to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife is a violation of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Landowners and lessees 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.

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

Learn more about the species
Groundhog in leaves and grass
Groundhog
Hunting

Squirrel: Hunting

Season Open
May 27, 2023 to February 15, 2024

Daily limit: 10
Possession limit: 20

Small Game Hunting Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Archer's Hunting 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

Small Game: 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 

Small Game: Archery: Prohibited Methods

Arrows containing any drug, poison, chemical or explosive.

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

Artificial lights may be used only to hunt bullfrogs and green frogs, or to hunt raccoons and other furbearing animals when treed with the aid of dogs. Using lights to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife is a violation of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Landowners and lessees 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.

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

Additional Info

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion statewide and antlerless portion 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, or to landowners on their land.

Small Game: Hunting: Allowed Methods

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

Guns powered by spring, air, or compressed gas

Shotguns not larger than 10 gauge

Crossbows, which are classified as a firearm method

Shotguns with the magazine cut off or plugged to reduce the capacity to not more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. This restriction does not apply during the Conservation Order for light geese.

Shotguns are the only firearm allowed for hunting game birds (except crow). Pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns may be used to hunt crow.

Bows, which include longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows, illuminated sights, scopes, quickpoint sights and hand-held string releasing mechanisms may be used

Atlatls

Slingshots

Additional Info

In addition to the hunting methods listed above, with a small game hunting permit you may take groundhogs, squirrels, and rabbits with a cage-type trap during that species' open hunting season.

Traps must:

  • be labeled with your full name and address, or Conservation Number;
  • be attended daily; and
  • have an opening of 144 square inches or smaller.

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 to take rabbits and squirrels. 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.

Small Game: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

Arrows containing any drug, poison, chemical, or explosive.

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; however, a motorboat may be used to hunt other wildlife if the motor is shut off and the boat’s forward progress has stopped.

Artificial lights may be used only to hunt bullfrogs and green frogs, or to hunt raccoons and other furbearing animals when treed with the aid of dogs. Using lights to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife is a violation of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Landowners and lessees 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.

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

Additional Info

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion, dogs may not be used during daylight hours in Butler, Carter, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, and Wayne counties.

Learn more about the species
Gray squirrel on branch
Squirrel
Hunting & Trapping

Bullfrog and Green Frog: Hunting

Season Open
June 30, 2023 to October 31, 2023
Hours

Season opens at sunset on opening day. Check sunrise and sunset times in your area.

Notes

Only the daily limit may be possessed on waters and banks of waters being fished or hunted.

Daily limit: 8 (combined total of both species)
Possession limit: 16

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

Frog: Allowed Methods

.22 or smaller caliber rimfire rifle or pistol

Pellet gun

Bow

Crossbow

Atlatl

Hand or handnet

Gig

Trotline

Throwline

Limb line

Bank line

Jug line

Snagging

Snaring

Grabbing

Pole and line

Artificial lights

Frogs: Prohibited Methods

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

Learn more about the species
Image of American Bullfrog
Frog
Hunting & Fishing

Raccoon: Hunting and Trapping

Season Open
August 1, 2023 to October 15, 2023
November 15, 2023 to February 29, 2024
Notes

Artificial lights are allowed when hunting raccoons if raccoons are treed with the aid of dogs.

From August 1 through October 15 only foot-enclosing traps and cage-type traps may be used.

Extended trapping season on private land from March 1 to April 14.

 

Daily limit: Any number
Possession limit: Any number

Special Provision for Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion and Antlerless 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
Resident Trapping Permit
Archer's Hunting Permit
Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit
Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) 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 from Nov. 1 through the end of November portion statewide and the antlerless 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.

Additional Allowed Methods (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

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife. (See special allowed methods for coyote.) 

 

 

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
Raccoon
Raccoon
Hunting & Trapping

Striped Skunk: Hunting and Trapping

Season Open
August 1, 2023 to October 15, 2023
November 15, 2023 to February 29, 2024
Notes

Extended trapping season on private land from March 1 to April 14.

Daily limit: Any number
Possession limit: Any number

Special Provision for Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion and Antlerless 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
Resident Trapping Permit
Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit
Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) 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 from Nov. 1 through the end of November portion statewide and the antlerless 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.

Additional Allowed Methods (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

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife. (See special allowed methods for coyote.) 

 

 

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
Photograph of a striped skunk walking
Striped Skunk
Hunting & Trapping

Opossum: Hunting and Trapping

Season Open
August 1, 2023 to October 15, 2023
November 15, 2023 to February 29, 2024
Notes

Extended trapping season on private land from March 1 to April 14.

Daily limit: Any number
Possession limit: Any number

Special Provision for Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion and Antlerless 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
Resident Trapping Permit
Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping 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 from Nov. 1 through the end of November portion statewide and the antlerless 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.

Additional Allowed Methods (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

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife. (See special allowed methods for coyote.) 

 

 

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
Opossum on snow
Opossum
Hunting & Trapping