Managed Hunts: Deer

Deer hunting
Managed Hunts
Deer

Missouri offers more than 100 managed deer hunts for archery, muzzleloading, shotgun, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January, including hunts for youth only and for people with disabilities. Hunters are selected by a weighted random drawing.

The Managed Deer Hunt application period is July 1 through July 31.

Draw results for managed hunts will be available Aug. 15 through Jan. 15.

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Managed Deer Hunt Application

Apply for managed deer hunts from July 1 to July 31

Applying for Managed Deer Hunts

Points to remember

  • You may apply for only one managed deer hunt each year. If you apply for more than one, you will be disqualified from this year’s drawing and will not receive a preference point.
  • Youth who apply for a youth-only hunt may not also apply for a regular managed deer hunt.
  • If you cannot attend, another hunter cannot take your place.
  • Individuals not drawn for a managed deer hunt may not accompany a hunter who was successfully drawn. This restriction does not apply to mentors accompanying youth hunters or hunters using an Apprentice Hunter Authorization.
  • Mentors who accompany youth hunters or hunters using an Apprentice Hunter Authorization must be adults who are hunter education certified (or born before Jan. 1, 1967) and have a filled or unfilled firearms deer hunting permit. Mentors may not hunt unless they were drawn to participate in the managed hunt.
  • Some managed hunts require hunters to attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation. If you cannot attend the orientation, do not apply for these hunts.
  • Whether you apply as one in a party or as an individual, your chances of being drawn for a managed hunt depend on the preference points of the party applying.
  • If you are not drawn for a managed hunt this year, you will earn one preference point that will increase your odds the next time you apply.
  • If you have a medical condition that limits your mobility, please contact the manager of the area on which you want to hunt before applying for a managed hunt. Some areas may not have the access you require, and you may want to apply for a hunt on a different area.
  • Most conservation areas remain open to the public during managed hunts.
  • For a summary of how many people applied for last year’s managed hunts and how many deer were taken, see the Managed Deer Hunt Statistics page .
  • Hunter-education certification is required to purchase managed deer hunting permits, except in the following cases:
    • You were born before Jan. 1, 1967.
    • You are participating in a managed hunt that only allows archery methods.
    • You are 11–15 years old and are hunting in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult mentor who is hunter-education certified or was born before Jan. 1, 1967.
    • You are 16 or older, purchased an Apprentice Hunter Authorization, and are hunting in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult mentor who is hunter-education certified or was born before Jan. 1, 1967.
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Apply between July 1 and July 31.

You must be 11 or older by the date of the hunt. Youth hunters may apply singly or with one other youth hunter for youth-only hunts, but not as a group. If applying for any other hunt, hunters may apply individually or as a group of up to six.

Youth who apply for a youth-only hunt may not also apply for a regular managed deer hunt.

  1. Designate one member of your group to visit the Managed Hunt Application. That person must have the following information:
    • The hunt number for the managed hunt
    • The Conservation number of each hunter in the group. A Social Security number is not the same as a Conservation number. Your Conservation number is a nine digit number located on the front of your Conservation Permit Card, the back of your Conservation Heritage Card, and at the top of your permit. If you need a Conservation number assigned to you, call 573-522-0107 and select option 4 during regular business hours.
    • Important: To ensure that your preference point(s) earned last year is used, be sure to use the same Conservation number you used last year. 
  2. Enter your prepared information in the Managed Hunt Application. If you have correctly entered all the required information, you will receive a message confirming your application.
  3. Print out or write down your confirmation number to save for future reference.

From August 15 through January 15, visit Managed Hunt Drawing Results. Be prepared to enter your Conservation number (the same number you used when you applied) when you check the drawing results. You also must provide the same Conservation number when you buy your managed deer hunting permit.

All successful applicants will receive an area map and other information regarding the hunt in the mail. We must have your correct address so you will receive the information you need. If your address has changed, contact your local Department office during regular business hours.

Successful applicants can purchase their Managed Deer Hunting Permit beginning August 15 wherever permits are sold.

Opportunities for youth hunters and hunters with disabilities

A handful of managed hunts are held for youth only, or for hunters with disabilities only. Visit Youth-Only Managed Hunts and Managed Hunts for Hunters with Disabilities for more information.

Hunters in Wheelchairs

Any hunter permanently needing to use a wheelchair is automatically allowed to participate in managed deer hunts at:

  • August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area
  • Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area
  • Caney Mountain Conservation Area
  • James A. Reed Wildlife Area
  • Peck Ranch Conservation Area

These hunts are part of the Managed Deer Hunt Program but are not limited to disabled hunters. Mail a written request by July 31 indicating hunt preference along with a physician’s statement to: 

Missouri Department of Conservation
Attn: Managed Deer Hunts
PO Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180

Each hunter with a disability may be accompanied by an attendant/caregiver while hunting, but that person may not hunt unless he or she has applied and was successfully drawn for the same hunt. Wheelchair-confined hunters may participate in more than one managed deer hunt, but must purchase a managed deer hunting permit for each hunt they attend.

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