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Xplor reconnects kids to nature and helps them find adventure in their own backyard. Free to residents of Missouri.
A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
St. LOUIS, Mo.—Autumn is unmistakably here, and for many hunters, that signals waterfowl seasons are upon us. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) St. Louis Region contains both the Missouri and Mississippi River bottoms. These are North America’s largest rivers; plus, the region lies right in the middle of the Mississippi Flyway one of the country’s busiest bird migration corridors. So, all that makes for plenty of opportunities to hunt waterfowl.
“With cool north winds and the weather beginning to change you may start to notice large groups of ducks and geese flying overhead,” said Lincoln County Conservation Agent, Cpl. Nick Bommarito. “The fall migration has begun, and duck and goose seasons are approaching,” Bommarito said.
With that in mind, Cpl. Bommarito offered some tips and reminders to help hunters get the most from their waterfowl hunting experiences.
“There are two heavily managed waterfowl hunting areas in the region: Marais Temps Claire in St. Charles County, and BK Leach in Lincoln County,” said Agent Bommarito. “Both conservation areas have a morning draw to allocate hunting positions.”
Morning draw times and procedures for these areas, and all intensively managed wetland areas throughout the state, can be found at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZFj. Draw times shift as the season progresses, so hunters should always check to see the most current times.
There are also several other conservation areas in the St. Louis region that can provide non managed waterfowl hunting opportunities such as Prairie Slough., Cuivre Island, and Upper Mississippi River conservation areas. These areas offer less structured, more opportunistic hunting experiences.
“Before hunting on any conservation area, do your research to see if there are any special area regulations,” Cpl. Bommarito reminded hunters.
There are three separate duck hunting zones in the state. The St. Louis Region is split by two of these, the North Zone, and Middle Zone. A full map of the zone boundaries can be found in MDC’s 2024- 2025 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest, or online at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4zM.
“One new change for the 2024- 2025 waterfowl season is that Electronic Federal Waterfowl Stamps will be valid for the entire season,” said Agent Bommarito.
The waterfowl season dates are as follows:
Ducks and Coots:
North Zone:
Nov. 2 – Dec. 31
Middle Zone:
Nov. 2- 10, and Nov. 16 – Jan. 5, 2025
South Zone:
Nov. 28 – Dec. 1, and Dec. 7 – Jan. 31, 2025
Geese:
Statewide:
Nov. 11 – Feb. 6, 2025
Cpl. Bommarito suggested waterfowl hunters should also familiarize themselves with these regulations:
Full regulations can be found in MDC’s 2024-2025 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest, available at MDC offices statewide, or where hunting permits are sold. Hunters can also download a pdf version on MDC’s website at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4p6.
“Fall and winter can be a special time of year for hunters and waterfowl hunting can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors during this time,” said Cpl. Bommarito. “And as always, the most important thing with hunting is to be safe and have fun.”