In this guide, we’ll examine detail deer schedule, bag limits and laws in Missouri.
Missouri Deer Hunting Season
| Youth | 11-Oct-24 - 13-Oct-24 |
| Early Youth | 2-Nov-24 - 3-Nov-24 |
| Late Youth | 29-Nov-24 - 1-Dec-24 |
| November | 16-Nov-24 - 26-Nov-24 |
| CWD (in open counties) | 27-Nov-24 - 1-Dec-24 |
| Late Antlerless (in open counties) | 7-Dec-24 - 15-Dec-24 |
| Alternative Methods | 28-Dec-24 - 7-Jan-25 |
| 15-Sep-24 - 15-Nov-24 | |
| 27-Nov-24 - 15-Jan-25 | |
Regulations
- “Take” refers to chasing, stalking, injuring, catching, or killing animals or assisting others in doing so. This includes white-tailed and mule deer. Antlered animals have at least one 3″ antler, with certain locations limiting antler points.
- Hunter orange is required for hunting any game species during firearms deer season, guided hunts, and mentoring. Hunting migratory game birds, bow hunting in cities where firearms are outlawed, or deer hunting on federal or state territory where archery is allowed without hunter orange. Hunter orange is not required for archery permit holders during the alternative techniques component and small game or furbearers in closed counties during the antlerless portion.
- During rifles season, adults guiding young enthusiasts who are 18 or older and have hunter-education qualifications or were born before January 1, 1967, do not require a hunting permit.
- Electronic calls, electrically triggered calls, dogs, artificial lighting, night vision, and thermal imaging are prohibited for pursuing deer. Projectiles like arrows, bolts, and darts cannot be poisonous or explosive. No slingshots, weapons, bows, or crossbows are allowed to take animals from or over public highways. No matter how it operates, a motorized land vehicle, aircraft, stream, or boat cannot follow deer. Finally, only in designated hunting locations may it be taken inside 7-foot fences.
- Baited areas remain primed for ten days after bait removal. Hunters can be in breach if they take or try to take a deer with food in a place they know or should know is hooked. Stone blocks—including salt—are not bait, but protected areas prohibit their use. Farmers can use doe pee or other smells to draw without using corn or other food items. Hunting over a cleared food area is legal, but adding corn or other crops is not. CWD Management Zone rules apply.
- Southeast Missouri flood-prone areas ban wildlife hunting, except ducks when river levels reach local river gauge limits. Wildlife caught in floods or fleeing fire is illegal to pursue or take. Visit mdc.mo.gov/semofloods for game status.
- Two antlered animals may be harvested during the weapons and archery seasons. Users with an archery permit are allowed to catch one antlered animal before November. During the firearms hunting season, just one antlered animal is permitted; restricted game animals are not included in the count.
- Conservation Department zones allow portable tree stands from September 1 to January 31. Unattended kiosks must display your name, address, and Conservation Number. Nails and screw-in steps can harm the tree.
- Between September 1 and January 31, Conservation Department zones allow portable stands. Label unattended stands with your full name and home or Conservation Number. Before February 1, stands must be removed, and no tree-damaging materials can be used.
- Farmers in Missouri in the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zones should follow deer hunting best practices to avoid spreading disease.
- People escorting young hunters during gun season must be 18 or older, hunter-education qualified, or born before January 1, 1967. Mentors must have a hunting pass or be free, and deer and bird permits can be full or empty.
- The Conservation Service has rules for using movable tree stands. Tree stands are only allowed from September 1 to January 31. Remove the tree stand by February 1. Unattended stands must be labeled. Nails, screw-in steps, and other tree-damaging items are prohibited.
- The Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP) requires daily tree stand removal. MRAP hunters must read and follow stated laws.
- It would help if you made a fair effort to recover and count deer in your season limit. Abandoning tasty games is also banned. If other methods fail, leashed dogs can track and recover mortally wounded animal. Call a conservation agent before dog-tracking with firearms or bows. Dogs cannot trespass to retrieve the game. Follow dog hunting laws.
- In CWD Management Zone counties, the government restricts deer carcass movement. Hunters must report their harvest using Telecheck before transporting any parts out of the county. Taxidermy goods are also free.
MO Important Resources
Hunting Permits
| MO Deer Hunting Permits | Fees |
|---|---|
| Archer's Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $7.00 |
| Resident Landowner | $25 |
| Nonresident | $0 |
| Youth (6-15) | $3.50 |
| Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $17 |
| Resident Landowner | $0 |
| Nonresident | $265 |
| Nonresident Landowner | $195 |
| Youth (6-15) | $8.50 |
| Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $7.00 |
| Resident Landowner | $0 |
| Nonresident | $25 |
| Youth (6-15) | $3.50 |
| Managed Deer Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $17 |
| Nonresident | $265 |
| Youth (6-15) | $9 |
FAQ
When is the archery deer hunting season in Missouri?
Missouri will have its bow deer shooting seasons from September 15 to November 10, 2023, and from November 22 to January 15, 2024.
Who is exempt from the antler-point restriction during the deer hunting season in Missouri?
The antler-point limitation is not applicable during the archery season or any other period of the weapons season for hunters who are 15 years of age or lower on September 15, 2022.
What are the different types of deer hunting seasons in Missouri?
The following season kinds are available in Missouri: Managed deer hunts, alternative techniques, youth, November part, antlerless portion, and archery. Most archery tools can be used year-round.
How many antlered deer can be taken in Missouri?
Antlerless deer are limited to one kill per hunter with an archery permit prior to the start of the firearms in November. There is only one antlerered animal (all sections combined) that may be taken during the firearms season.
Are there any prohibited hunting methods during the deer hunting season in Missouri?
It is completely forbidden to use artificial lights, shoot from a moving vehicle, use toxins or drugs, and utilize nets or snares during Missouri deer season.
Can a hunter purchase a combination deer permit in Missouri?
Certainly, sportspeople in Missouri can buy a combo pass for $260, exempt from needing a resident permit. This pass entitles the shooter to kill an antlerless or sex deer during the complete weapons season.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
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