Hunting Seasons & Licensing · MO
Missouri Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonMissouri is one of the most successful deer and turkey management stories in the country. The state has over 500,000 deer hunters and is consistently ranked among the top states for trophy white-tailed deer and wild turkey harvest. The Missouri Department of Conservation manages over 1,000 conservation areas totaling roughly 1 million acres open to public hunting. The state is also known for excellent waterfowl hunting along the Missouri and Mississippi River corridors.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Missouri Department of Conservation before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Sep 15 – Nov 14 & Nov 26 – Jan 15, 2026 | 2 antlered + unlimited antlerless in some counties | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Firearms (November) | Nov 15 – Nov 25, 2025 | 1 antlered + 1 antlerless | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| White-tailed Deer | Alternative Methods | Dec 27 – Jan 6, 2026 | 1 antlerless | Muzzleloader, handgun, bow, atlatl |
| Black Bear | General | Oct 18 – Oct 27, 2025 | 1 bear per year | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Feral Hog | Year-round | No closed season on private land | No limit | Any legal firearm, bow, trapping |
White-tailed Deer (Firearms (November)): 11-day season
Black Bear (General): Limited permits by drawing. Southern Missouri only. Established 2021.
Feral Hog (Year-round): MDC actively manages hog removal. Check current policies.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring (youth) | Apr 11 – Apr 12, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Spring (regular) | Apr 20 – May 10, 2026 | 2 bearded turkeys | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Oct 1 – Oct 31, 2025 | 2 turkeys either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | General | Nov 1 – Jan 15, 2026 | 8 daily / 16 possession | Shotgun |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Nov 1 – Jan 15, 2026 | 2 daily (roosters only) / 4 possession | Shotgun |
Ring-necked Pheasant (General): Northern Missouri primarily
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Mississippi Flyway.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Oct 1 – Feb 15, 2026 | 6 daily / 12 possession | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Squirrel | General | May 24 – Feb 15, 2026 | 10 daily / 20 possession | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting Permit | $19 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting Permit | $125 | — |
| Resident Deer/Turkey Permit | $17 | — |
| Non-Resident Deer/Turkey Permit | $225 | — |
| Resident Archery Permit | $24 | — |
| Non-Resident Archery Permit | $225 | — |
| Youth (under 16) | Free | With hunter education |
| Senior (65+) | $7 | — |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Most Missouri hunting permits are available over the counter. Managed deer hunts on Conservation Areas require a drawing — apply through the MDC online system. Bear permits are extremely limited (approximately 400) and issued by lottery drawing. No preference point system is used for most drawings. Elk restoration permits (very limited) are available by drawing in designated areas.
Harvest Reporting
Missouri requires mandatory Telecheck for all deer, turkey, and bear harvested. Registration must be completed by midnight the day of harvest through the MDC website, app, or by phone. Each animal receives a unique confirmation number that serves as the harvest tag. CWD sampling is conducted at voluntary check stations.
Missouri Wildlife Resources
- Missouri Department of Conservation — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-800-392-1111
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Missouri Department of Conservation and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.