From large critters such as deer and turkey, to small game and ducks, the Show-Me State, provides ample options for outdoor fun. Hunters get set! The season of 2025 brings thrilling possibilities, but only with the right groundwork and observance of rules. The lowdown on Missouri’s hunting seasons is right here, holding all essential data and tools needed for a secure, triumphant hunt.
In our diverse region, you can find animals like whitetail deer, elk in some places, wild turkeys, bobwhite quail, rabbits, squirrels, ducks, and geese! There are specific times to pursue each species. You need certain permits. There are bag limits and safety rules. It’s important to follow these rules. Why? To hunt ethically and keep our animal populations healthy.
We’ll discuss about various types of permits, when the season starts and ends, and regulations you’ll need to get ready for your trip. We’ll also touch upon safety for hunters, managing deer CWD, and protecting habitats. After learning all this, you’ll be fully prepared to hunt responsibly in Missouri and contribute to the conservation of wildlife.
MS Important Dates and Limits 2025-2026 Hunting Period
Missouri Hunting Seasons Overview
Whitetail Deer
- Archery:
- Sep 15 – Nov 14, 2025
- Nov 26, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026
- Limit: 2 deer (only 1 antlered before Nov firearms)
- Firearms:
- Nov 15 – 25, 2025 (Main season)
- Oct 10 – 12 & Dec 6 – 14, 2025 (Antlerless)
- Nov 26 – 30, 2025 (CWD portion)
- Dec 27, 2025 – Jan 6, 2026 (Alternative methods)
- Youth Hunts:
- Nov 1 – 2 & Nov 28 – 30, 2025
Black Bear
- Oct 18 – 31, 2025
- Limit: 1 bear (no cubs or dens)
- Check quota daily before hunting
Elk
- Archery: Oct 19 – 27, 2025
- Firearms: Dec 14 – 22, 2025
- Permit required (drawing system)
Turkey
- Spring:
- Youth: Apr 12 – 13, 2025
- Regular: Apr 21 – May 11, 2025
- Limit: 2 bearded (1 per day)
- Fall:
- Archery: Sep 15 – Nov 14 & Nov 26, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026
- Firearms: Oct 1 – 31, 2025
- Limit: 2 (either sex)
Furbearers
- Badger: Nov 15, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
- Bobcat: Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Coyote:
- Hunting: Year-round
- Trapping: Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Beaver/Nutria: Nov 15, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026
- Raccoon/Opossum: Nov 15, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Upland Birds
- Dove: Sep 1 – Nov 29, 2025
- Limit: 15 daily, 45 possession
- Snipe: Sep 1 – Dec 16, 2025
- Limit: 8 daily, 24 possession
- Crow: Nov 1, 2024 – Mar 3, 2025
- No bag limit
Small Game
- Squirrel: May 24, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026
- Limit: 10 daily, 20 possession
- Rabbit: Oct 1, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026
- Limit: 6 daily, 12 possession
- Frogs: Jun 30 – Oct 31, 2025
- Limit: 8 daily, 16 possession
Waterfowl
- Ducks:
- North Zone: Nov 1 – Dec 30, 2025
- Middle Zone: Nov 1 – 9 & Nov 15, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- South Zone: Nov 27 – 30 & Dec 7, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
- Limit: 6 (species restrictions apply)
- Youth Weekends:
- North/Middle: Oct 25 – 26, 2025
- South: Nov 22 – 23, 2025
- Geese:
- Early Canada/Brant: Oct 4 – 12, 2025
- Limit: 3 daily, 9 possession
- Regular Season: Varies by zone (Nov – Jan)
- Light geese: 20 daily (no limit)
- Canada/Brant: 3 daily, 9 possession
Falconry
- Dove: Sep 1 – Dec 16, 2025
- Ducks/Coots: Feb 11 – Mar 10, 2026
- Limit: 3 daily, 9 possession
All hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset unless noted.
Always verify local regulations before heading out.
Licenses and Permits
| Licenses/Permit Name | Cost (Resident) | Cost (Non-Resident) |
| Apprentice Hunter Authorization | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Archer’s | $19.00 | Varies |
| Archery Antlerless Deer | $7.00 | $25.00 |
| Bear | $25.00 | Not Available |
| Conservation Order | $5.00 | $47.00 |
| Fall Firearms Turkey | $13.00 | $130.00 |
| Federal Duck Stamp | N/A | $25.00 |
| Firearms Antlerless Deer | $7.00 | $25.00 |
| Firearms Any-Deer | $17.00 | Varies |
| Managed Deer | $17.00 | $265.00 |
| Migratory Bird | $6.00 | $6.00 |
| Military Reduced Cost | $5.00 | Not Available |
| Nonresident Daily Small Game | N/A | $14.00 |
| Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit | N/A | $192.00 |
| Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit | N/A | $19.00 |
| Small Game Basic | $10.00 | $94.00 |
| Spring Turkey | $17.00 | Varies |
Important Note: Don’t forget to look at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) site for recent license details before your adventure outdoors.
Missouri Hunting Regulations Summary
Let’s simplify Missouri’s rules for pursuing deer, bear, turkey, and waterfowl:
General Requirements:
- Hunter Education: it’s needed for anyone born after January 1, 1967.
- Permits: both locals and visitors need these (the kind depends on the animal and time of year).
- Season Dates: You can find exact dates for each season on the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) website.
- Hunting Hours: Usually from half an hour before sunrise till half an hour after sunset. This can change for certain seasons.
Deer:
- Permits: You can get Resident permits for bow hunting, firearm usage, and taking deer without antlers. If you’re not a resident, there are permits for you too.
- Bag Limits: There’s a certain number of deer you can hunt each season.
- Antler Restrictions: Some places require your buck to have a minimum number of points on their antlers.
- Tagging and Checking: There are rules for tagging and checking your deer once you’ve bagged them.
- Firearm Restrictions: Only certain guns and ammo are allowed.
- Prohibited Methods: Don’t use dogs, bait, or spotlights.
- Hunter Orange: Wear this color — it’s a must during firearm deer season, to keep everyone safe.
Black Bear:
- A single black bear can be hunted, regardless of gender.
- Check the daily limit: Dial 800-668-4045 each day to verify the season’s state and quota.
- Season closure: Hunting halts in an area if 80% of the harvest is reached or the head makes the call to shut it down.
- Bears in dens: Off-limits for hunting or harassment.
- Solitary bears only: Do not hunt bears in groups (including mothers with cubs).
Turkey
- Permits: You need distinct permits for both Spring and Fall seasons, available for residents and non-residents.
- Bagging Limits: There are rules restricting the quantity of turkeys you can bag each season.
- Tagging and Checking: Processes exist for labeling and confirming caught turkeys.
- Firearm and Archery Restrictions: Certain regulations are in place about firearms, ammo, and archery gear.
- Banned Methods: Pursuing with dogs, bait, or electronic calls is forbidden. Wearing Hunter Orange: Suggested as a safety measure, but not obligatory.
Waterfowl:
- Permits: Residents and non-residents need them (Federal Duck Stamp included).
- Bag Limits: The count of bags fluctuates based on species.
- Tagging and Reporting: A process to tag and report hunted birds.
- Firearm Restrictions: Rules for firearms and ammo (non-toxic shot is a must).
- Prohibited Methods: Motorized vehicles, live decoys, or baiting are forbidden. Hunter Orange: Thought to be safe but not a must-have.
Additional Resources:
- Missouri Department of Conservation website: https://mdc.mo.gov/
- Apprentice Hunter Authorization: Program for first-time hunters.
Top Missouri Hunting Locations by Place Name and Species
Missouri, is filled with landscapes that host a variety of wildlife. It’s a top pick for hunting enthusiasts, no matter how experienced they are. Let me show you some ideal spots to find specific species:
Deer:
- Mark Twain National Forest sits in the southern part of the state. This forest is a haven for deer, with a vibrant population roaming its expanses of mature woodlands and open glades. Archery and firearms enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunity here.
- Moving onto the Ozark Plateau region, it’s a vast expanse in the south known for its hardy terrain. Whitetail deer are plentiful here. Within this plateau are numerous conservation areas offering public hunting. In the heart of Missouri, we find
- Crocker Prairie Wildlife Area. This spot is popular with deer, especially during the rut or breeding season. It features a variety of terrains – grasslands, woodlands, and croplands all inhabit this area.
Turkey:
- Truman Lake: This spot in Missouri’s west-central region is ideal for wild turkey lovers. Truman Lake is enclosed by rolling hills and forests, offering an excellent turkey habitat. Plus, hunters can take advantage of public hunting areas around the lake.
- String Prairie Conservation Area: This land in northwest Missouri is teeming with wild turkeys, thanks to its varied landscape. Whether you’re planning a spring or fall turkey hunt, String Prairie Conservation Area is a top pick.
- Sugar Creek Conservation Area: Nestled in the southwest part of Missouri, Sugar Creek Conservation Area is a wonderland for turkey hunters. Its fields, woodlands, and glades make an ideal home for wild turkeys. Here, hunters can successfully employ both sneak-up and call-out game techniques.
Waterfowl:
- The fertile Missouri River valley in the west serves as a sanctuary for pursuing water birds. The managed marshes and shallow pools draw a mix of duck and goose species during their travel seasons.
- At Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area, found in the northeastern corner, it’s a hub for diverse bird hunting. Featuring both permanent and seasonal bodies of water, it’s a favored place for both ducks and geese.
Small Game:
- Missouri’s Northern River Bluffs: This northwestern region by the Missouri River is a superb home for small game. Creatures like rabbits, quail, and pheasants love it! Hunting areas are public and along the river. They offer a variety of game.
- Prairie State Park: It’s in Missouri’s southwest. It’s got a special blend of restored tallgrass prairie and woods. This kind of habitat is perfect for small animals. Think quail and rabbits.
- Nodaway County Conservation Area: This place is in the state’s northwest. It’s celebrated for its varied wildlife. Hunters can find opportunities there for small game like rabbits, squirrels, and doves.
Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com
Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.
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