Missouri offers over 100 managed deer hunts for archery, crossbow, muzzleloading, 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. Review the list of managed hunts.
Draw results for managed hunts will be available August 15 through January 15.
Sign up for notices and alerts about managed hunts.
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 firearms managed hunt permits unless you were born before Jan. 1, 1967.
- You do not need hunter eduction certification if 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 do not need hunter eduction certification if 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.