Deer hunting in Missouri is a unique and thrilling experience. In Missouri, shooters have numerous chances to capture a deer thanks to diverse seasons, techniques, and laws. There is a season for you whether you like shooting or guns. Missouri is a beautiful location for families to experience the woods together because it also provides controlled deer excursions and extraordinary child amounts. In this piece, we’ll examine Missouri’s deer shooting season in greater detail and offer advice and facts to assist you in organizing your upcoming hunting journey.
Missouri Deer Hunting Season
| Hunting Method | Deer Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Archery Season | Sept. 15 - Nov. 10, 2023 |
| Archery Season | Nov. 22, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024 |
| Firearms Early Antlerless Portion (in open counties) | Oct. 6 - 8, 2023 |
| Firearms Early Antlerless Portion (in open counties) | Dec. 2 - 10, 2023 |
| Firearms Early Youth Portion | Oct. 28 - 29, 2023 |
| Firearms November Portion | Nov. 11 - 21, 2023 |
| Firearms CWD Portion (in open counties) | Nov. 22 - 26, 2023 |
| Firearms Late Youth Portion | Nov. 24 - 26, 2023 |
| Firearms Late Antlerless Portion (in open counties) | Dec. 2 - 10, 2023 |
| Firearms Alternative Methods Portion | Dec. 23, 2023 - Jan. 2, 2024 |
Missouri Deer Hunting Regulations
- “Take” means chasing, stalking, injuring, catching, or killing animals or helping others do so. White-tailed and mule deer are deer. Antlered deer have at least one 3″ antler, but some areas have antler-point limitations.
- Hunting any game species during firearms deer season, hunting on a guided firearms deer hunt, and mentoring another hunter all require hunter orange. Hunting migrating game birds, bow hunting within city borders where weapons firing is banned, or hunting on federal or state land where deer hunting is limited to archery do not require hunter orange. Archery permit users during the alternative methods portion, and those hunting small game or furbearers in a closed county during the antlerless part are also free from donning hunter orange.
- If they are 18 or older and have hunter-education credentials or were born before January 1, 1967, adults escorting young hunters during guns deer season do not need a deer hunting pass. . Shooting a deer or bird for another hunter is banned, as is group hunting, where permits are shared.
- Hunting deer with electronic calls or electrically triggered calls, pets, artificial lights, night vision equipment, or thermal imaging devices is forbidden. Arrows, bolts, and darts cannot contain poisons or explosives; slingshots cannot kill deer, and firearms, bows, and crossbows cannot take animals from or across a public highway. Deer cannot be taken from a motor-driven land vehicle, airplane, stream, or boat with a motor, regardless of whether the engine is working. Lastly, deer cannot be taken within 7-foot fences except in approved hunting areas.
- 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 deer 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.
- Archery and weapons deer hunting seasons allow two antlered deer. Before November, archery pass users can kill one antlered deer. One antlered deer per weapons deer hunting season is allowed. Limited game deer don’t 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 deer 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 deer. 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 deer parts out of the county. Taxidermy goods are also free.
Note: For a complete list of Missouri deer regulations, you may read it on the Missouri Department of Conservation Website.
Missouri Deer 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 related to Missouri Deer Season
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 deer season or any other period of the weapons deer 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 a hunter take during the deer hunting season in Missouri?
Before the guns deer hunting season starts in November, hunters with an archery pass are only allowed to capture one antlerless deer. During the gun deer shooting season, only one antlered deer may be captured (all portions combined).
Are there any prohibited hunting methods during the deer hunting season in Missouri?
There are, indeed. Artificial lighting, shooting from a moving car, using toxins or narcotics, and using nets or snares are prohibited during Missouri’s deer hunting season.
Can a hunter purchase a combination deer permit in Missouri?
Certainly, sportspeople in Missouri can buy a combo deer 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.