Missouri Hunting Guide
Missouri offers opportunities for hunting a variety of popular game. Hunters annually report strong harvest numbers from the state, and many of the game species continue to maintain high population levels.
What to Hunt
With strict attention to conservation efforts, Missouri presents hunters with strong populations of many popular game species.
Deer
Hunting pressure can be very high on Missouri deer populations, as the state offers very high concentrations of top-end bucks and trophy deer. It is not permitted to use bait, and mineral and salt blocks are not allowed in conservation areas. Hunters may take two antlered deer during the combined archery and firearms season, and only one may be taken during firearms season. Archers may take only one antlered deer before the November firearms season begins.
Turkey
Hunters can enjoy public land that is well-inhabited by gobblers. Missouri offers both fall and spring seasons for archery and firearms. Fall archery season is quite a bit longer than firearms season; it typically ranges from September through January, while fall firearm season is often in October. It is not legal to use bait to hunt turkey, but it is legal to hunt over a harvested crop field as long as no bait is added to the field.
Quail
Northern bobwhite quail are fairly common throughout much of Missouri. Although quail populations have seen notable decline in recent years, the state still offers public and private quail hunting opportunities for hunters (resident and non-resident alike). Quail season generally runs from November through January, with a daily limit of 8 and a possession limit of 16 quail. Quail may only be hunted with a shotgun.
Waterfowl
Missouri offers conservation areas that are managed specifically for waterfowl and bird species. Many of these issue hunting permits through a reservation system. Waterfowl are also abundant on public lands. Mississippi offers teal, geese, duck, and coot. Seasons range from September through February, depending on the season.
Other Missouri game species include: Beaver, Bobcat, Wilson's Snipe, Coyote, Frog, Crow, Dove, Fox, Geese, Brant, Ducks, Coots, Groundhog, Mink, Muskrat, Otter, Opossum, Badger, Pheasant, Squirrel, Rabbit, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Teal, Rail, Woodcock, Bullfrog and Green Frog etc. found in the "Hunting Seasons" section at bottom of the page.
Where to Hunt
Missouri offers hunters significant amounts of public land for recreational use. Note that it is illegal to hunt in any of Missouri’s state forests.
Conservation Areas
Conservation Areas (CAs) are owned or managed by the Department of Conservation. There are over 1,000 areas found across the entirety of Missouri. The size of conservation areas varies significantly, but they total nearly one million acres combined. Many of them have dedicated purposes, which may include hunting and outdoor recreation. Each of these areas are subject to rules and regulations. It is important to familiarize yourself with a CA’s restrictions before planning a hunt.
Mark Twain National Forest
Mark Twain National Forest has 1.4 million acres of land open for public hunting. There are no fees charged for hunting in this forest. The Mark Twain National Forest features many of the state’s most popular species, including deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, woodcock, mourning dove, duck, raccoon, bobcat, fox, and coyote.
Licensing Fees
License | Resident | Nonresident |
---|---|---|
Archer's Hunting Permit | $19.00 | $265.00 |
Fall Firearms Turkey Hunting Permit | $13.00 | $130.00 |
Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit | $17.00 | $265.00 |
Migratory Bird Hunting Permit | $6.00 | $6.00 |
Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit | N/A | $14.00 |
Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit | $10.00 | $192.00 |
Small Game Hunting Permit | $10.00 | $94.00 |
Hunter Education
Hunter education is required to purchase any type of firearms hunting permit in Missouri. These courses are available as a combination of self-study and classroom work or entirely online. The online-only class is available only to Missouri residents age 16 or older.
Youth Hunting
Youth 10 or younger may hunt with a firearm if they are in the immediate presence of a licensed adult hunter.
Missouri also offers youth hunting days and weekends for various game species each year. These events are open to youths between the ages of 6 and 15. Youth who have not passed a hunter’s education course must be accompanied by a licensed hunting adult.
Trapping
A trapping license is required to trap animals in Missouri. The following animals are considered furbearing mammals in Missouri: racoon, opossum, muskrat, coyote, beaver, mink, red fox, gray fox, striped skunk, badger, bobcat, and river otter.
Hunting Seasons
Game | Season Begins | Season Ends |
---|---|---|
Beaver | Nov 15 2023 | Mar 31 2024 |
Bobcat | Nov 15 2023 | Feb 29 2024 |
Wilson's Snipe | Sep 1 2023 | Dec 16 2023 |
Coyote | Jan 1 2023 | Dec 31 2023 |
Frog | Jun 30 2023 | Oct 31 2023 |
Crow | Nov 1 2023 | Mar 3 2024 |
Dove | Sep 1 2023 | Nov 29 2023 |
Deer* | Sep 15 2023 | Jan 15 2024 |
Elk* | Oct 21 2023 | Dec 17 2023 |
Fox | Nov 15 2023 | Jan 31 2024 |
White Fronted Geese | Nov 11 2023 | Feb 6 2024 |
Light Geese | Nov 11 2023 | Feb 6 2024 |
Canada Geese | Oct 7 2023 | Feb 6 2024 |
Brant | Oct 7 2023 | Feb 6 2024 |
Ducks, Coots, and Geese | Oct 21 2023 | Jan 7 2024 |
Groundhog | May 8 2023 | Dec 15 2023 |
Mink | Nov 15 2023 | Feb 29 2024 |
Muskrat | Nov 15 2023 | Feb 29 2024 |
Otter | Nov 15 2023 | Feb 29 2024 |
Opossum | Aug 1 2023 | Feb 29 2024 |
Badger | Nov 15 2023 | Jan 31 2024 |
Pheasant | Nov 1 2023 | Jan 15 2024 |
Quail | Oct 28 2023 | Jan 15 2024 |
Squirrel | May 27 2023 | Feb 15 2023 |
Rabbit | Oct 1 2023 | Feb 15 2024 |
Raccoon | Aug 1 2023 | Feb 29 2024 |
Striped Skunk | Aug 1 2023 | Feb 29 2024 |
Turkey* | Apr 17 2023 | May 7 2023 |
Sep 15 2023 | Oct 31 2023 | |
Teal | Sep 9 2023 | Sep 24 2023 |
Sora and Virginia Rail | Sep 1 2023 | Nov 9 2023 |
Woodcock | Oct 15 2023 | Nov 28 2023 |
Bullfrog and Green Frog | Jun 30 2023 | Oct 31 2023 |
*Hunting dates for this species may vary by zone, method of take, or subspecies of animal. Visit the state’s website here to find out more.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is not to be construed as legal advice or acted upon as if it is legal advice: it is provided for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information.