Methods depend on the type of permit (archery or small game hunting).
Allowed Methods
Archery Permit Methods
- Longbow, compound bow, or recurve bow of any draw weight
- Atlatls, which are defined as a rod or narrow board-like device used to launch, through a throwing motion of the arm, a dart 5 to 8 feet long
- Hand-held string releasing devices
- Illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights
- Crossbow
Small Game Hunting Permit Methods
- Pistols, revolvers, and rifles propelling a single projectile at one discharge
- Firearms powered by spring, air, or compressed gas
- Shotguns not larger than 10 gauge
- Crossbows
- Shotguns with the magazine cut off or plugged to reduce the capacity to not more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. This restriction does not apply during the Conservation Order for light geese.
- Shotguns are the only firearm allowed for hunting game birds (except crow). Pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns may be used to hunt crow.
- Bows, which include longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows, illuminated sights, scopes, quickpoint sights and hand-held string releasing mechanisms may be used.
- Atlatls
- Slingshots
You may take squirrels with a cage-type trap at any hour during the open hunting season if you possess a hunting permit. The cage-type trap must be labeled with your full name and address, or Conservation ID number; must be attended daily; and have an opening of 144 square inches or smaller.
Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion statewide and antlerless portion in open counties, other wildlife may be hunted only with a shotgun and shot not larger than No. 4 or a .22 or smaller caliber rimfire rifle. This does not apply to waterfowl hunters, trappers, or to landowners on their land.
Prohibited Methods
- Arrows containing any drug, poison, chemical or explosive.
- Motor driven conveyances may not be used to take, drive or molest wildlife.
- Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
- Artificial lights may be used only to hunt bullfrogs and green frogs, or to hunt raccoons and other furbearing animals when treed with the aid of dogs. Using lights to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife is a violation of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Landowners and lessees may use artificial lights on their property, but while doing so may not be in possession of — or be in the company of someone who possesses — a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.
- You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.
