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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.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Conservation Commission approved recommendations from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at its April 5 meeting in Rolla for upcoming 2024 migratory-game-bird-hunting seasons and 2024-2025 waterfowl-hunting seasons.
2024 MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING
Mourning Doves, Eurasian Collared Doves, and White-Winged Doves
Season: Sept. 1 through Nov. 29
Limits: 15 daily and 45 in possession combined total for all three species
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Sora and Virginia Rails
Season: Sept. 1 through Nov. 9
Limits: 25 daily and 75 in possession combined for both species
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Wilson's (Common) Snipe
Season: Sept. 1 through Dec. 16
Limits: 8 daily and 24 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
American Woodcock
Season: Oct. 18 through Dec. 1
Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Coots
Season: Same as duck season dates in the respective zones (See dates under Waterfowl Hunting for Ducks)
Limits: 15 daily and 45 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
2024-2025 WATERFOWL HUNTING
Teal
Season: Sept. 7-22
Limits: 6 daily and 18 in possession
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Ducks
Season:
Bag Limit: 6 ducks daily with species restrictions of:
Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag or 18 total, varies by species
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Snow Geese (White and Blue Phases) and Ross's Geese
Season: Nov. 11 through Feb. 6, 2025
Limits: 20 blue, snow, or Ross's geese daily with no possession limit
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
White-Fronted Geese
Season: Nov. 11 through Feb. 6, 2025
Limits: 2 daily and 6 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Canada Geese and Brant
Season: Oct. 5-13 and Nov. 11 – Feb. 6, 2025
Limits: 3 Canada geese and Brant in aggregate daily, 9 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Light Goose Conservation Order
Season: Feb. 7 through April 30, 2025
Limits: No daily or possession limits
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Methods: For the taking of blue, snow and Ross's geese, hunters may use shotguns capable of holding more than three shells and recorded or electronically amplified bird calls or sounds or imitations of bird calls or sounds.
YOUTH HUNTING DAYS
North Zone: Oct. 26 and 27
Middle Zone: Oct. 26 and 27
South Zone: Nov. 23 and 24
Limits: Same as during regular waterfowl season
Hours: Same as during regular waterfowl season
Requirements: Any person 15 years of age or younger may participate in youth waterfowl hunting days without permit provided they are in the immediate presence of an adult 18 years of age or older. If the youth hunter is not certified in hunter education, the adult must have the required permits and have in his or her possession proof of hunter education unless exempt. The adult may not hunt ducks but may participate in other seasons that are open on youth hunting days.
FALCONRY SEASONS
Falconry Season for Doves
Season: Sept. 1 through Dec. 16
Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession, singly, or in the aggregate (any ducks, coots, or mergansers taken by falconers must be included in these limits)
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Falconry Season for Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers
Season: Open during waterfowl seasons (teal, youth, duck) and Feb. 11 through March 10, 2025
Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession, singly, or in the aggregate during the regular duck-hunting seasons (including teal and youth seasons) and extended falconry seasons (any doves taken by falconers must be included in these limits)
Hours: Sunrise to sunset during the September teal season, one-half hour before sunrise to sunset during the remaining seasons
HUNTING ZONES
Waterfowl hunting in Missouri is divided into three zones: North, Middle, and South. For a map and more information, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl/duck-zones or refer to MDC’s “2024-2025 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest,” available beginning in July where hunting permits are sold.
NONTOXIC SHOT REQUIREMENTS
Shells possessed or used while hunting waterfowl and coots statewide, and for other species as designated by posting on public areas, must be loaded with material approved as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Get more information on nontoxic-shot requirements, allowed types, and conservation areas requiring use at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/regulations/nontoxic-shot-regulations.
CHANGE TO FEDERAL DUCK STAMP
Per the Federal Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023, the Federal Duck Stamp has been converted to a digital version and hunters are no longer required to carry a paper copy. Hunters must have a digital version in their possession.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on migratory-bird and waterfowl hunting, visit mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species and select the specific species, or get MDC’s “2024-2025 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest,” available beginning in July where hunting permits are sold.