Missouri has arguably of the best outdoor location in the nation because to its over 2 million acres of public property and diverse animals. The Department of Conservation has simplified and streamlined the licensing procedure to make it more convenient for everyone involved. This guide covers the basics of hunting in Missouri in 2024, such as the appropriate licenses, seasons, regulations, and bag limits. Let’s dive in right now!
Missouri Hunting Season
| Method | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | September 15, 2024 | November 15, 2024 |
| November 27, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | |
| Firearms: | ||
| Antlerless Portions | October 11, 2024 | October 13, 2024 |
| December 7, 2024 | December 15, 2024 | |
| Youth Portions | November 2, 2024 | November 3, 2024 |
| November 29, 2024 | December 1, 2024 | |
| November Portion | November 16, 2024 | November 26, 2024 |
| CWD Portion | November 27, 2024 | December 1, 2024 |
| Alternative Methods | December 28, 2024 | January 7, 2025 |
Elk
| Archery | 19-Oct-24 to | 27-Oct-24 |
| Firearms | 14-Dec-24 to | 22-Dec-24 |
Note: One (1) elk with at least one antler measuring at least 6″ in length may be taken by those who are chosen to get a permit. Both the archery and firearms sections of the elk are open to the usage of antlered elk hunting licenses.
Bear
| Oct 21, 2024 – Oct 30, 2024 |
| Spring Youth | 6-Apr-24 to | 7-Apr-24 |
| Regular Spring | 15-Apr-24 to | 5-May-24 |
| Fall Firearms | 1-Oct-24 to | 31-Oct-24 |
| Archery | 15-Sep-24 to | 15-Nov-24 |
| 27-Nov-24 to | 15-Jan-25 |
Furbearers
Bobcat
| November 15, 2024 – February 28, 2025 |
Note: Bobcat pelts must be registered or tagged. Any limit.
Coyote
| Hunting | 1-Jan – 31-Dec |
| Trapping | November 15, 2024 – February 28, 2025 |
Beaver
| November 15, 2024 – March 31, 2025 |
Badger
| November 15, 2024 – January 31, 2025 |
Fox
| Red | November 15, 2024 – January 31, 2025 |
| Gray | November 15, 2024 – January 31, 2025 |
Opossum
| August 1, 2024 – October 15, 2024, November 15, 2024 – February 28, 2025 |
Mink
| November 15, 2024 – February 28, 2025 |
Otter and Muskrat
| November 15, 2024 – February 28, 2025 |
Groundhog
| May 6, 2024 – December 15, 2024 |
Rabbit
| Hunting | October 1, 2024 – February 15, 2025 |
| Trapping | November 15, 2024 – January 31, 2025 |
Raccoon
| August 1, 2024 – October 15, 2024 |
| November 15, 2024 – February 28, 2025 |
Squirrel
| May 25, 2024 – February 15, 2025 |
Striped Skunk
| August 1, 2024 – October 15, 2024 |
| November 15, 2024 – February 28, 2025 |
Upland Birds
Quail
| Youth | October 26, 2024 – October 27, 2024 |
| General | November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025 |
Note: A daily bag limit of 8.
Pheasant
| Youth | October 26, 2024 – October 27, 2024 |
| General | November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025 |
Note: You may only take male pheasants. Limit of two male pheasants each day.
Migratory Birds
Dove
| Hunting | September 1, 2024 – November 29, 2024 |
| Falconry | September 1, 2024 – December 16, 2024 |
Note: A daily bag limit of 15 and Possession limit of 45
Crow
| November 1, 2024 – March 3, 2025 |
Waterfowl
Ducks
| Middle Zone | November 4 – November 12, November 18 – January 7 |
| North Zone | November 2- December 31 |
| South Zone | November 28 – December 1, December 7 – January 31 |
Note: A bag limit of 6 each day: Blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal are all available for hunting. Despite having similar-looking plumage, the northern shoveler, northern pintail, and wood ducks cannot be shot during this hunting season.
Teal
| September 7 – September 22 |
Goose
| Greater White-Fronted Geese | November 11 – February 6 |
| Brant Geese | October 7 – October 15, November 11 – February 6 |
| Light Geese | November 11 – February 6 |
| Canada Geese | October 7 – October 15, November 11 – February 6 |
Light Goose Conservation Order
| February 7 – April 30, February 7 – April 30 |
Woodcock
| October 18 – December 1 |
Snipe
| September 1 – December 16 |
Rails
| September 1 – November 9 |
Youth Waterfowl
| Middle Zone | October 26 – October 27 |
| South Zone | November 23 – November 24 |
| North Zone | October 26 – October 27 |
MO Important Resource
Missouri Hunting License
| MO Hunting Licenses Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Antlered Elk Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $50.00 |
| Resident Landowner | $50.00 |
| Apprentice Hunter Authorization | |
| Resident | $10 |
| Nonresident | $10 |
| Archer's Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $19.00 |
| Resident Landowner | $0.00 |
| Nonresident | $265.00 |
| Nonresident Landowner | $195.00 |
| Youth (6-15) | $9.50 |
| Archery Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $7.00 |
| Resident Landowner | $0.00 |
| Nonresident | $25.00 |
| Youth (6-15) | $3.50 |
| Bear Permits | |
| Resident | $25.00 |
| Conservation Order Permit | |
| Resident | $5.00 |
| Nonresident | $47.00 |
| Fall Firearms Turkey Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $13.00 |
| Resident Landowner | $0.00 |
| Nonresident | $130.00 |
| Nonresident Landowner | $96.00 |
| Youth (6-15) | $6.50 |
| Federal Duck Stamp | |
| Resident | $7.00 |
| Resident Landowner | $0.00 |
| Nonresident | $25.00 |
| Youth (6-15) | $3.50 |
| Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $17.00 |
| Resident Landowner | $0.00 |
| Nonresident | $265.00 |
| Youth (6-15) | $8.50 |
| Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only) | |
| Youth (0-15) | $550.00 |
| Age 16-29 | $800.00 |
| Age 30-39 | $700.00 |
| Age 40-59 | $600.00 |
| Age 60-64 | $70.00 |
| Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only) | |
| Youth (0-15) | $275.00 |
| Age 16-29 | $400.00 |
| Age 30-39 | $350.00 |
| Age 40-59 | $300.00 |
| Age 60-64 | $35.00 |
| Managed Deer Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $17.00 |
| Nonresident | $265.00 |
| Youth | $8.50 |
| Migratory Bird Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $6.00 |
| Nonresident | $6.00 |
| Military Reduced Cost Permit | |
| Resident | $6.00 |
| Spring Turkey Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $17.00 |
| Resident Landowner | $0.00 |
| Youth (6-15) | $8.50 |
| Nonresident | $224.00 |
| Nonresident Landowner | $165.00 |
| Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit | |
| Nonresident | $14.00 |
| Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit | |
| Nonresident | $192.00 |
| Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit | |
| Nonresident | $19.00 |
| Small Game Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $10.00 |
| Nonresident | $94.00 |
| Spring Turkey Hunting Permit | |
| Resident | $17.00 |
| Resident Landowner | $0.00 |
| Youth (6-15) | $8.50 |
| Nonresident | $224.00 |
| Nonresident Landowner | $165.00 |
FAQ
In Missouri, what kinds of animals are legal to hunt?
You can deer, turkey, coyote, bobcat, fox, pheasant, quail, duck, geese, dove, and elk.
When is the turkey hunting season in Missouri?
The early-fall for archery starts on September 15.
How many acres are needed for rifle hunting in Missouri?
Missouri residents who want to apply for free rifle hunting permits for deer and turkey must possess at least 20 acres of property as of 2020.
Can I hunt in Missouri without a license?
Use only properties that qualify for landowner authorization. You must be 6 years old to request a landowner’s consent. Regular hunting permits are required for landowners to hunt on neighboring property.
Is it permitted to carry a gun when hunting in Missouri?
You can carry a hidden handgun throughout ANY hunting season, except for the autumn archery season, as long as you have an exposed projectile weapon.
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