Missouri hunting season 2026-2027 starts early with dove and snipe on September 1, followed by archery deer and fall archery turkey on September 15. As fall builds, hunters shift into teal, quail, pheasant, rabbit, waterfowl, and the main November deer season. Missouri’s lineup is strong because it covers whitetails, wild turkey, ducks, geese, doves, quail, squirrels, rabbits, furbearers, black bear, and a limited draw elk hunt.
Knowing Missouri hunting dates matters for more than trip planning. It affects what weapon you can carry, which counties are open, when blaze orange is required, and how bag limits work across archery, firearms, and special youth portions. Permits matter just as much. Missouri separates small game, migratory bird, deer, turkey, and specialty permits, and some hunts use quota drawings or county restrictions. Before heading out, always double-check the latest season pages and booklets from the Missouri Department of Conservation hunting regulations because in-season updates, zone closures, and public-land rules can change.
- ✔ Hunting season dates
- ✔ Bag limits
- ✔ Legal hunting hours
- ✔ Required licenses
- ✔ Weapon restrictions
- ✔ Blaze orange rules
- ✔ Public land rules
- ✔ Hunter education requirements
Quick Overview
| Species | Season | Weapon | Best Months | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitetail Deer | Sep-Jan, plus Oct/Nov/Dec firearms portions | Archery, firearms, alternative methods | Oct-Dec | Yes |
| Turkey | Spring and fall | Shotgun, archery | Apr-May, Oct | Yes |
| Black Bear | Mid-late October | Firearms by permit | Oct | Special draw permit |
| Elk | Oct archery, Dec firearms | Archery or firearms by permit | Oct, Dec | Special draw permit |
| Ducks/Coots | Oct-Jan by zone | Shotgun | Nov-Jan | Small game + migratory bird + federal duck stamp |
| Geese | Oct-Feb | Shotgun | Nov-Feb | Small game + migratory bird + duck stamp |
| Dove | Sep-Nov | Shotgun | Sep | Small game + migratory bird |
| Quail | Nov-Jan | Shotgun | Nov-Dec | Small game |
| Pheasant | Nov-Jan | Shotgun | Nov-Dec | Small game |
| Rabbit/Squirrel | May-Feb or Oct-Feb | Small-game firearms, bows, air guns | Oct-Jan | Small game |
Complete Hunting Dates for Missouri Hunting Season 2026-2027
Big Game
- Deer
- Archery: Sep. 15-Nov. 13, 2026 and Nov. 25, 2026-Jan. 15, 2027
- Firearms early antlerless: Oct. 9-11, 2026 in open counties only
- Firearms early youth: Oct. 24-25, 2026
- Firearms November portion: Nov. 14-24, 2026
- Firearms late youth: Nov. 27-29, 2026
- Firearms late antlerless: Dec. 5-13, 2026 in open counties only
- Alternative methods: Dec. 26, 2026-Jan. 5, 2027
- Notes: County antlerless limits apply. Mandatory CWD sampling applies for deer harvested opening weekend in designated areas.
- Elk
- Archery: Oct. 17-25, 2026
- Firearms: Dec. 12-20, 2026
- Notes: Limited draw only. Valid in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, excluding the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area.
- Black Bear
- Season: Oct. 17-30, 2026
- Notes: Limited draw only inside the permit’s Black Bear Management Zone. Hunters must check daily quota status before hunting.
- Moose, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Bison, Javelina
- No Missouri hunting season.
- Wild Hog
- Missouri does not offer a general recreational wild hog hunting season on public land as a standard sport opportunity. Hunters should follow current feral-swine control guidance.
Turkey
- Spring Youth: Apr. 11-12, 2026
- Regular Spring: Apr. 20-May 10, 2026
- Fall Archery: Sep. 15-Nov. 13, 2026 and Nov. 25, 2026-Jan. 15, 2027
- Fall Firearms: Oct. 1-31, 2026
- Notes: Fall firearms turkey is closed in Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, and Scott counties. Nonresident spring hunters are limited to one bearded turkey in 2026.
Small Game
- Rabbit: Oct. 1, 2026-Feb. 15, 2027
- Squirrel: May 23, 2026-Feb. 15, 2027
- Groundhog: May 11-Dec. 15, 2026
- Bullfrog/Green Frog: Jun. 30-Oct. 31, 2026
- Hare, jackrabbit, prairie dog: no standard Missouri season.
Upland Birds
- Quail: Nov. 1, 2026-Jan. 15, 2027
- Youth Quail: Oct. 24-25, 2026
- Pheasant: Nov. 1, 2026-Jan. 15, 2027
- Youth Pheasant: Oct. 24-25, 2026
- Woodcock: Oct. 18-Dec. 1, 2026
- Crow: Nov. 1, 2026-Mar. 3, 2027
Waterfowl
- Teal: Sep. 12-20, 2026
- Early Canada Goose/Brant: Oct. 3-10, 2026
- Ducks/Coots North Zone: Oct. 31-Dec. 29, 2026
- Ducks/Coots Middle Zone: Nov. 7-Dec. 13, 2026 and Dec. 19, 2026-Jan. 10, 2027
- Ducks/Coots South Zone: Nov. 26-29, 2026 and Dec. 7, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027
- Goose General Season: Nov. 11, 2026-Feb. 6, 2027
- Sora/Virginia Rails: Sep. 1-Nov. 9, 2026
- Common Snipe: Sep. 1-Dec. 16, 2026
- Falconry for ducks, coots, mergansers: regular seasons plus Feb. 11-Mar. 10, 2027
- Light Goose Conservation Order: Feb. 7-Apr. 30, 2027
- Notes: Missouri duck zones follow North, Middle, and South zone formulas, and boundaries were adjusted for the 2026-2030 framework.
Furbearers
- Coyote hunting: year-round, with daylight closure from Apr. 1 to the day before spring turkey season
- Coyote trapping: Nov. 15, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027, plus private-land extension Mar. 1-Apr. 14
- Bobcat: Nov. 15, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
- Fox: Nov. 15, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027
- Badger: Nov. 15, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027
- Raccoon/Opossum/Striped Skunk: Aug. 1-Oct. 15, 2026 and Nov. 15, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
- Beaver/Nutria trapping: Nov. 15, 2026-Mar. 31, 2027
- Otter/Muskrat trapping: Nov. 15, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
- Mink trapping: Nov. 15, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Predators
- Coyote: open year-round with seasonal daylight restrictions
- Fox: open in regular furbearer season
- Wolf, mountain lion: no open hunting season
Special Opportunities
- Youth deer: Oct. 24-25 and Nov. 27-29
- Youth turkey: Apr. 11-12
- Youth waterfowl: North Oct. 24-25, Middle Oct. 31-Nov. 1, South Nov. 21-22
- Managed hunts: Missouri also offers managed deer and waterfowl opportunities on selected areas.
Hunting License Fees
| License Type | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Game Hunting Permit | $11.50 | — | Basic resident small-game permit |
| Nonresident Daily Small Game | — | $16.00/day | Can be purchased for multiple days |
| Migratory Bird Hunting Permit | $8.00 | $60.00 | Needed for doves, rails, snipe, woodcock, and waterfowl; youth 15 and under do not need it |
| Archer’s Hunting Permit | $22.00 | $360.00 | Covers archery deer and some small game/furbearer privileges |
| Firearms Any-Deer Permit | $19.50 | Check current posted MDC price | One antlered or antlerless deer |
| Firearms Antlerless Deer Permit | $7.50 | $34.00 | One antlerless deer; county limits apply |
| Turkey Permit | $15.00 | $176.50 | Covers spring/fall turkey under season rules |
| Apprentice Hunter Authorization | $12.50 | $12.50 | Available twice, for hunters 16+ hunting with a mentor |
| Lifetime Hunting & Fishing | $640-$930.50 by age | — | Resident only; deer and turkey privileges not included |
| Lifetime Small Game Hunting | $320-$465.50 by age | — | Resident only; duck stamp still required for waterfowl |
| Elk/Bear Draw Hunts | Application and permit fees apply | Not generally open to nonresidents | Limited draw, special conditions |
Important Hunting Regulations
- Fully automatic firearms are prohibited.
- Poisons, drugs, chemicals, and explosives are illegal.
- Drones may not be used to pursue, drive, or molest wildlife.
- You may not shoot from or across a public roadway.
- Private-land hunting requires landowner permission.
- Blaze orange is required during firearms deer season for many hunters.
- Blaze orange is also required for black bear hunters and companions.
- Blaze orange is required for elk firearms hunters and companions.
- A hunter-orange hat and outer garment are required.
- Camouflage orange does not meet the rule.
- Some exceptions apply for migratory bird hunters and certain archery situations.
- Baiting deer and turkeys is illegal.
- A site stays baited for 10 days after bait removal.
- Dogs are prohibited for deer, elk, and turkey hunting.
- Electronic calls are allowed for crows, furbearers, and light geese.
- Night vision and thermal gear are generally restricted, with limited coyote exceptions.
- Artificial lights may be used only in limited situations, including some coyote periods.
- Waterfowl hunters must use shotguns and follow shell-capacity limits.
- Lead shot may be restricted on some conservation areas.
- Only shotguns may be used for game birds except crow.
- During parts of firearms deer season, method restrictions tighten for other hunters afield.
- Hunters must make a reasonable effort to retrieve wounded game.
- You may not abandon edible portions of wildlife.
- Deer, turkey, elk, and bear must be properly labeled and Telechecked.
- Opening-weekend deer harvest in designated areas may require mandatory CWD sampling.
- Missouri restricts cervid carcass import from out of state to approved parts.
- ATVs are heavily restricted on conservation areas and in streams.
- Boats may be used for some hunting, but not for deer, bear, or elk while under power.
- Public-land hunts can carry area-specific rules beyond statewide rules.
- Spring turkey hours differ by land type: public lands close earlier than many private-land hunts.
- Nonresident spring turkey hunters are limited to one bearded bird.
- Bear season can close early when a zone quota is reached.
- Bobcat pelts must be registered or tagged.
- Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older also need a federal duck stamp.
- Hunters should confirm conservation area rules before every trip.
Best Hunting Places in Missouri
Best Deer Hunting Areas
Mark Twain National Forest offers huge acreage, mixed oak-hickory timber, ridges, and hollows that suit bowhunters and mobile rifle hunters. Access is broad, pressure spreads out, and deer hunting pairs well with turkey and squirrel trips on the same landscape. See Mark Twain National Forest hunting access.
Peck Ranch Conservation Area is rugged Ozark ground with deer, turkey, and elk country. It is best for hunters comfortable with steep terrain and low-impact scouting.
Best Turkey Hunting Areas
Mark Twain National Forest remains one of the strongest public-land turkey options because of its size, timber, and broken terrain.
Little Lost Creek Conservation Area is a good choice for hunters who want woods habitat with deer, turkey, squirrel, and even ruffed grouse potential.
Best Waterfowl Hunting Areas
Duck Creek Conservation Area is a classic Southeast Missouri destination with managed wetlands, flooded units, and strong duck use.
Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area near Columbia draws both ducks and goose hunters with managed marsh habitat and easier access for central Missouri hunters.
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is a major northwest Missouri stopover where wetland habitat creates excellent late-fall bird movement.
Best Small Game Areas
MRAP walk-in properties can be useful for rabbit, quail, and squirrel hunters who want extra access beyond traditional public tracts.
Mark Twain National Forest also shines for squirrels, rabbits, doves, and woodcock because habitat types vary from glades to timbered creek bottoms.
Best Public Hunting Lands
- Mark Twain National Forest — vast, public, rugged, multi-species
- Duck Creek CA — managed wetlands, easier boat and walk-in planning
- Four Rivers CA — wetland habitat with strong waterfowl appeal
- Peck Ranch CA — backcountry-style deer, turkey, and elk country
Best Wildlife Management Areas
Focus on Missouri conservation areas with season-specific regulations, especially managed deer and waterfowl sites. Check area brochures before going because sign-in rules, shell rules, and weapon restrictions may differ.
Bag Limits
| Species | Daily Limit | Possession Limit | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Permit-based | Permit-based | Antler and county limits apply |
| Spring Turkey | Season-based | Season-based | Residents/nonresident landowners up to 2 bearded birds; nonresidents 1 |
| Fall Turkey | 2 season total | 2 season total | Archery and firearms combined |
| Elk | 1 | 1 | Draw permit only |
| Black Bear | 1 | 1 | Draw permit, quota closure possible |
| Ducks | 6 | 18 | Species sublimits apply |
| Coots | 15 | 45 | Zone dates apply |
| Teal | 6 | 18 | Combined teal species |
| Canada Goose/Brant | 3 | 9 | Combined |
| White-fronted Goose | 2 | 6 | General goose season |
| Light Geese | 20 | None | Conservation Order has no daily limit |
| Dove | 15 | 45 | Combined dove species |
| Snipe | 8 | 24 | Migratory bird permit required |
| Quail | 8 | 16 | Shotgun only |
| Pheasant | 2 | 4 | Male birds only |
| Crow | No limit | No limit | Open season rules apply |
Legal Hunting Hours
General Missouri hunting hours are usually one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for most birds and one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset for deer, elk, and bear. Spring turkey is the biggest exception. On public land, regular spring turkey closes at 1 p.m.; on private land, it runs until sunset. Teal hunting runs sunrise to sunset, while most duck and goose seasons run one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Night hunting is limited and species-specific, with coyote exceptions outside spring turkey and deer overlaps.
Hunter Education Requirements
Missouri requires hunter education for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1967 who buys a firearms hunting permit, unless an exemption applies. Hunters may take the course starting at age 11. Youths 15 and under may hunt with a properly permitted adult mentor, and youths 10 or younger may hunt firearms seasons only in the immediate presence of a mentor. Adults 16 and older who are not certified may use an apprentice authorization, but only twice and only with a qualified mentor. Elk permits still require full hunter education; the apprentice option does not replace that rule.
Public vs Private Land Hunting
Private land in Missouri requires permission first. On public land, statewide seasons still apply, but conservation areas may add tighter rules on methods, check-in, shell type, access times, or managed hunt procedures. National forest hunting is broad across Mark Twain, while national wildlife refuges and waterfowl areas often limit hunting to mapped units or special drawings. Missouri’s MRAP program can also open walk-in access on private properties. If you also hunt across the border, compare timing with the Arkansas hunting season guide before planning a two-state trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does hunting season start in Missouri?
For 2026-2027, dove and snipe open on September 1, and archery deer starts September 15.
Do I need a hunting license in Missouri?
Yes. Most hunters need the correct base permit plus species-specific permits such as migratory bird, deer, turkey, or waterfowl requirements.
Can nonresidents hunt in Missouri?
Yes, but nonresident permits cost more, and spring turkey nonresidents are limited to one bearded bird.
Can I hunt on Sundays in Missouri?
Yes, if the season is open and the method is legal.
Can I use a crossbow in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri treats crossbows as a firearm method in many regulations, so season-specific rules still matter.
Do I need hunter education in Missouri?
If you were born on or after January 1, 1967 and want a firearms permit, usually yes unless you qualify for an exemption.
Can I bait deer in Missouri?
No. Baiting deer and turkeys is illegal, and the site stays baited for 10 days after bait removal.
Can I hunt on public land in Missouri?
Yes, but each conservation area, refuge, or forest unit may have extra rules you must read before hunting.
Can I hunt coyotes at night in Missouri?
Only under limited seasonal rules and legal-method exceptions. Always confirm the current coyote regulations before hunting after dark.
What is the blaze orange requirement in Missouri?
When required, you must wear both a hunter-orange hat and a visible hunter-orange outer garment. Camouflage orange does not count.
Final Thoughts
Missouri gives hunters one of the more varied seasons in the Midwest, with long deer opportunity, strong spring turkey tradition, excellent Mississippi Flyway waterfowl action, and solid public-land access. Still, the best Missouri hunting season plan is the one built on details: county antlerless rules, duck zone boundaries, public-land restrictions, youth dates, and species-specific permit needs.
Hunt responsibly, respect property lines, wear the right safety gear, and handle game carefully. Just as important, support conservation by following reporting rules and CWD guidance. Before any specific trip in Missouri, confirm the current regulation booklet, area brochure, and permit details with the Missouri Department of Conservation.
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