Hunting Permits

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Before heading out to fish or hunt for deer, turkey, waterfowl, furbearers, or small game, be sure to buy the right permits. You can buy them online, over the phone, at any MDC office, or from more than a thousand vendors around the state.

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  • If you plan to purchase a Missouri firearms permit or you are acting as an adult mentor, you MUST first complete an approved hunter-education certification program and provide proof of completion. See Hunter Education Requirement for details, exemptions, and more info about proof of certification.
  • All hunters, unless exempt, must carry their hunter-education card or a permit with their hunter-education number on it while hunting with a firearm. The Missouri Conservation Permit Card is also acceptable.
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Try Hunting with an Apprentice Hunting Authorization

To help introduce adults to hunting, MDC allows hunters age 16 and older who are not hunter-education certified to hunt with firearms in the presence of a properly licensed adult (age 18 and older) mentor. Visit our Apprentice Hunter Authorization page to learn more.

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Permit Card

The Conservation Permit Card allows multiple permits to be carried on a single plastic card. New permits are automatically loaded onto your card.

Learn more about permit cards.

Limits

Those that are selected to receive a permit may take one (1) elk with at least one (1) antler no less than 6” in length in open counties.

Notes

Elk hunting permits are distributed by random drawing. Applicants that are drawn for an elk hunting permit may purchase their permit starting July 1.

Only Missouri residents 11 years of age and older who have completed an approved hunter education course (or were born before Jan. 1, 1967) are eligible to purchase an elk hunting permit.

During the firearms portion, all persons hunting elk and their companions must wear a cap or hat and a shirt, vest, or coat of the color commonly known as hunter orange, which must be plainly visible from all sides. Camouflage orange does not satisfy this rule.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $50.00
  • Demographic
    Resident Landowner
    Price
    $50.00
Notes

This authorization allows you to be an apprentice hunter. Apprentice hunters can purchase firearms hunting permits and hunt in the immediate presence of a mentor. A mentor must be at least 18 years old, hunter-education certified, and appropriately licensed. (Mentor does not need to be hunter-education certified if born before Jan. 1, 1967.)

You must be at least 16 years old or born on or after Jan. 1, 1967 to purchase this authorization.

You may purchase this authorization twice (two permit years).

Learn more about the apprentice hunter program.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $10.50
  • Demographic
    Nonresident
    Price
    $10.50
Limits
  • Deer: Two deer of either sex, but only one antlered deer may be taken before the main November portion of firearms deer season. NOTE: You may take only two antlered deer during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined.
  • Turkeys: Two turkeys of either sex.
  • Furbearers: See Seasons for prescribed limits. Hunters may sell furbearers harvested under this permit. Nonresidents may not harvest furbearers with this permit.
  • Small game: See Seasons for prescribed limits.
Notes

Youth permit is available for resident and nonresident youth hunters.

See if you qualify for a landowner permit.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $20.50
  • Demographic
    Resident Landowner
    Price
    $0.00
  • Demographic
    Nonresident
    Price
    $276.50
  • Demographic
    Nonresident Landowner
    Price
    $203.50
  • Demographic
    Youth (6-15)
    Price
    $10.25
Limits

One antlerless deer during archery deer season in open counties. See map.

Notes

You may purchase any number of these permits. Nonresidents must purchase a Nonresident Archer's Hunting Permit or Nonresident Landowner Archer's Hunting Permit before purchasing this permit.

Youth permit is available for resident and nonresident youth hunters.

See if you qualify for a resident landowner permit.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $7.50
  • Demographic
    Resident Landowner
    Price
    $0.00
  • Demographic
    Nonresident
    Price
    $26.00
  • Demographic
    Youth (6-15)
    Price
    $3.75
Limits

Those that are selected to receive a permit may take one (1) black bear of either sex within the zone specified on the permit.

One black bear of either sex with the following restrictions:

  • You are required to call 800-668-4045 to determine the daily season quota/closure status prior to hunting each day. In addition, if the harvest has reached or exceeded 80 percent of the harvest quota, the director of the Conservation Department may close hunting within that Black Bear Management Zone on the following day.
  • Once the harvest quota is met or the Director closes the season for the BMZ in which you are hunting, the season is over, and you may not harvest a black bear.
  • Black bears that have taken refuge in a den may not be harvested or harassed.
  • Only lone black bears may be harvested. You may not harvest a bear that is with one or more other bears, including female bears with cubs.
Notes

You are required to call 800-668-4045 to determine the daily season quota/closure status prior to hunting each day. In addition, if the harvest has reached or exceeded 80 percent of the harvest quota, the director of the Conservation Department may close hunting within that Black Bear Management Zone on the following day.

Only Missouri residents 11 years of age and older who have completed an approved hunter education course (or were born before Jan. 1, 1967) are eligible to purchase a resident black bear hunting permit.

All persons hunting black bear and their companions must wear a cap or hat and a shirt, vest, or coat of the color commonly known as hunter orange, which must be plainly visible from all sides. Camouflage orange does not satisfy this rule.

RESIDENT PERMIT

Permit is valid only in the Black Bear Management Zone specified on the permit.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $25.00
Limits

There is no daily limit on snow, blue and Ross's geese during the Conservation Order.

Notes

This permit allows hunters to take snow, blue, and Ross's geese during the Light Goose Conservation Order.

This permit is required for all hunters, including landowners over age 15, who participate in the Conservation Order, unless they have a Resident Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit or a Resident Lifetime Conservation Partner Permit.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $5.50
  • Demographic
    Nonresident
    Price
    $49.00
Limits

Two turkeys of either sex. Both may be taken on the same day.

Notes

Permit valid in all counties except Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, and Scott.

Youth permit is available for resident and nonresident youth hunters.

See if you qualify for a landowner permit.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $14.00
  • Demographic
    Resident Landowner
    Price
    $0.00
  • Demographic
    Nonresident
    Price
    $135.50
  • Demographic
    Nonresident Landowner
    Price
    $100.00
  • Demographic
    Youth (6-15)
    Price
    $7.00
Notes

A Federal Duck Stamp is required for residents and nonresidents age 16 years and older who hunt waterfowl. Hunters also need the appropriate Missouri hunting permits.

To be valid, the Federal Duck Stamp must be signed in ink across the face.

Paper duck stamps are available for $25 at some U.S. Post Offices, MDC regional offices, nature centers, and visitor’s centers, but not at permit vendors or waterfowl hunting conservation areas.

Duck stamps are also available online or at some Missouri permit vendors. The electronic duck stamp, or e-Stamp, allows customers to purchase the Federal Duck Stamp online and use it immediately. The e-Stamp costs $29.50 and is valid for 45 days from the date of purchase. Within that time, a physical duck stamp will be mailed to the customer. After 45 days, the customer must carry their Federal Duck Stamp while hunting.

Costs
  • Price
    $25.00
Limits

One antlerless deer

Notes

Each county limits the number of antlerless deer hunting permits you can fill during the entire firearms season. See map.

Nonresidents must purchase a Nonresident Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit, a Nonresident Landowner Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit, or a Nonresident Managed Deer Hunting Permit before buying this nonresident permit.

Youth permit is available for resident and nonresident youth hunters.

See if you qualify for a resident landowner permit.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $7.50
  • Demographic
    Resident Landowner
    Price
    $0.00
  • Demographic
    Nonresident
    Price
    $26.00
  • Demographic
    Youth (6-15)
    Price
    $3.75
Limits

One antlered or antlerless deer

Notes

Youth permit is available for resident and nonresident youth hunters.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $18.00
  • Demographic
    Resident Landowner
    Price
    $0.00
  • Demographic
    Nonresident
    Price
    $276.50
  • Demographic
    Nonresident Landowner
    Price
    $203.50
  • Demographic
    Youth (6-15)
    Price
    $9.00