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 2024 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 2024-2025 Hunting Period
Big Games
Deer
- Archery
· Sep 15 – Nov 14
· Nov 26 – Jan 15
· Hours: Sunrise to sunset (½ hr before/after) - Firearms: Alternative Methods
· Dec 27 – Jan 6
· Hours: Sunrise to sunset - Firearms: Antlerless Portions
· Oct 10 – Oct 12
· Dec 6 – Dec 14
· Hours: Sunrise to sunset - Firearms: CWD Portion
· Nov 26 – Nov 30
· Hours: Sunrise to sunset - Firearms: November Portion
· Nov 15 – Nov 25
· Hours: Sunrise to sunset - Firearms: Youth Portions
· Nov 1 – Nov 2
· Nov 28 – Nov 30
· Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Elk
Permit Required – Target elk with at least one antler 6 inches or longer.
Archery
- Open: Oct 19 – Oct 27
- Legal Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
Firearms
- Open: Dec 14 – Dec 22
- Legal Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
Bear
- October 21 – 30
Turkey
Archery
- Fall: Sep 15 – Nov 14
- Late Fall: Nov 26 – Jan 15
- Hours: ½ hr before sunrise to ½ hr after sunset
Fall Firearms
- Open: Oct 1 – Oct 31
- Hours: ½ hr before sunrise to sunset
Spring Season
- Open: Apr 21 – May 11
- Public Land Hours: ½ hr before sunrise – 1 PM (CDT)
- Private Land Hours: ½ hr before sunrise – sunset
Youth Spring (Ages 6-15)
- Open: Apr 12 – Apr 13
- Hours: ½ hr before sunrise to sunset
Small Games
Groundhog
- May 12, 2025 – Dec 15, 2025
Rabbit
- Hunting:
- Oct 01, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026
- (Daily Limit: 6, Possession: 12)
- Trapping:
- Nov 15, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
- (Daily Limit: 6, Possession: 12)
Note: Only 2 rabbits and 4 swamp rabbits allowed per day/possession.
Squirrel
- May 24, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026
- (Daily Limit: 10, Possession: 20)
Striped Skunk
- Aug 01, 2025 – Oct 15, 2025 &
- Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
Bullfrog and Green Frog
- Jun 30 – Oct 31
Migratory & Waterfowls
Dove
- Regular:
- Sep 01, 2025 – Nov 29, 2025
- (Daily Limit: 15, Possession: 45)
- Falconry:
- Sep 01, 2025 – Dec 16, 2025
- (Daily Limit: 3, Possession: 9)
Crow
- Nov 1 – March 3
Common Snipe
- Sept 1 – Dec 16
Woodcock
- Oct 18 – Dec 1
Rails
- Sora & Virginia:
- Sept 1 – Nov 9
Ducks, Coots & Mergansers
Middle Zone
- Regular Season:
- Nov 1 – Nov 9
- Nov 15 – Jan 4
- Youth Weekend: Oct 25 – Oct 26
- Hours: ½ hr before sunrise to sunset
North Zone
- Regular Season: Nov 1 – Dec 30
- Youth Weekend: Oct 25 – Oct 26
- Hours: Same as above
South Zone
- Regular Season:
- Nov 27 – Nov 30
- Dec 7 – Jan 31
- Youth Weekend: Nov 22 – Nov 23
- Hours: Same as above
Falconry (All Zones)
- Dates: Feb 11 – Mar 10
- Hours:
- Sept. teal season: Sunrise to sunset
- Other seasons: ½ hr before sunrise to sunset
Geese:
Early Season
- Species: Canada Goose & Brant
- Dates: Oct 4 – Oct 12
- Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
Regular Season
- Species: Canada, Brant, White-Fronted, Snow, Ross’s Geese
- Dates: Nov 11 – Feb 6
- Hours: Same as above
Light Goose Conservation
- Dates: Feb 7 – Apr 30
- Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
Teal
- Sep 13, 2025 – Sep 21, 2025
Upland Birds
Pheasant
- Youth: Oct 26-27
- Regular Season: Nov 1 – Jan 15
- (Daily Limit: 2 male pheasants, Possession: 4)
Quail
- Youth: Oct 26 – Oct 27
- Regular Season: Nov 01- Jan 15
- (Daily Limit: 8, Possession: 16)
Furbearers
Trapping:
- Mink:
- Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Muskrat & Otter:
- Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Beaver & Nutria:
- Nov 15, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026
Hunting and Trapping
- Opossum & Raccoon:
- Aug 01, 2025 – Oct 15, 2025
- Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Badger:
- Nov 15, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
- Bobcat:
- Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Coyote
- Hunting: Year-round (Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024)
- Trapping: Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
- Fox (Red or Gray)
- Nov 15, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
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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