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Regulations
Hunting
General Hunting Regulations
Methods
Seasons, permits, and species have specific rules governing the type of firearm, bow, atlatl, and slingshot which may be used to hunt. Review the information in those areas before hunting.
Fully automatic weapons are prohibited for all hunting.
Firearm restrictions during deer firearms season
During the November and antlerless portions, 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.
If you are hunting furbearers during daylight hours during firearms deer season, only deer hunting methods may be used.
Poisons, tranquilizing drugs, chemicals, and explosives
Poisons, tranquilizing drugs, chemicals, and explosives may not be used to take wildlife.
Motor driven transportation
Motor driven transportation may not be used to take, drive or molest wildlife.
A motorboat may be used to hunt wildlife, except deer, if the motor is shut off and the boat’s forward progress has stopped.
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
It is illegal for anyone (except landowners and lessees on land they own or lease and certain agricultural workers) to drive all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Missouri’s streams and rivers unless the ATV is on a crossing that is part of the highway system. Violators could lose their fishing and hunting privileges.
With limited exceptions, all-terrain vehicle use is prohibited on conservation areas. Other vehicles are restricted to graveled and paved roads and established parking areas, unless otherwise posted.
Artificial lights
Artificial lights may be used to hunt:
- bullfrogs
- green frogs
- raccoons and other furbearing animals when treed with the aid of dogs
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.
Artificial lights may not be used to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife than the above.
You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.
Calls
Mouth and hand calls may be used any time.
Electronic calls or electronically activated calls may be used to pursue and take crows and furbearers. They may also be used to take light geese during the Conservation Order. Electronic calls may not be used with artificial light or night-vision equipment.
Dogs
Dogs may be used in hunting wildlife -- except deer, turkey, muskrat, mink, river otter, and beaver. Learn more about the rules for hunting with dogs.
During a hunt
Furbearer dens or nests
The dens or nests of furbearers shall not be molested or destroyed.
Hunter orange
For your safety, you are urged to wear hunter orange whenever you are hunting. You are required to wear hunter orange at certain times and locations. Learn more about the hunter orange rules.
Hunting near flood waters or fire
Wildlife, except waterfowl, may not be pursued or taken while trapped or surrounded by floodwaters or while fleeing from floodwaters or fire.
Hunting and trapping on public roadways
You may not take any wildlife from or across a public roadway with a firearm, bow or crossbow. A Conibear-type trap may be used adjacent to public roadways only if set underwater in permanent waters.
After a successful hunt
Excessive waste
It is illegal to intentionally leave or abandon any portion of any wildlife that is commonly used as human food.
Possessing, transporting, and storing wildlife
You must keep any wildlife you take separate or identifiable from that of any other hunter.
You can possess and transport wildlife as part of your personal baggage. It may be stored at your home, camp, place of lodging or in a commercial establishment.
Proper labeling
When storing deer and turkey, it must have the hunter's:
- Full name
- Address
- Date taken
- Telecheck confirmation number
When storing wildlife other than deer or turkey, it must have the hunter’s:
- Full name
- Address
- Permit number
- Species
- Date it was placed in storage
When transporting wildlife other than deer or turkey, it must have the hunter’s:
- Full name
- Address
- Permit number
- Date it was taken
Buying and selling pelts, feathers, and other parts
Unless federal regulations prohibit, you may buy, sell or barter:
- feathers
- squirrel pelts
- rabbit pelts
- groundhog pelts
- turkey bones
- turkey heads
- deer heads
- antlers
- hides
- feet
They must be accompanied by a bill of sale showing:
- the seller’s full name, address
- the number and species of the parts
- the full name and address of the buyer
Wildlife and wildlife parts, after mounting or tanning, also may be bought and sold.
People who receive or purchase deer heads or antlers attached to the skull plate must keep the bill of sale as long as the heads or antlers are in their possession. The bill of sale must include the transaction date and a signed statement from the sellers attesting that the deer heads and antlers were, to their knowledge, taken legally.
Giving away wildlife
You may give wildlife to another person, but it will continue to be a part of your daily limit for the day when taken. Wildlife received as a gift will be included in the possession limit of the person you give it to.
Deer and turkey must be properly labeled as outlined above.
All other wildlife being given away must be labeled with:
- your full name
- address
- permit number
- species
- date taken
Related Content:
Trapping Regulations
General Provisions
- The homes, nests or dens of furbearers must not be molested or destroyed.
- No person shall accept payment for furbearers taken by another.
- Wildlife held in traps, snares, or cable restraint devices may be killed or removed only by the user.
- Bobcats and otters or their pelts must be delivered to an agent of the Conservation Department for registration or tagging before selling, transferring, tanning or mounting by April 10. Tagged bobcats, otters or their pelts may be possessed by the taker throughout the year and may be sold only to licensed taxidermists, tanners or fur dealers. It is illegal to purchase or sell untagged bobcats, otters or their pelts. Tagging tip: To make it easier to tag a pelt without damaging it, put a pencil or stick through the upper lip and eye socket before freezing the skin. The tag can be easily placed in those holes when the pelt is registered.
- Restrictions on possession do not apply to tanned pelts, mounted specimens or manufactured products.
- Skinned carcasses of legally taken furbearers may be sold throughout the year.
Special-Use Permit Required to Trap on Conservation Areas
Trapping with dog-proof style and other traps is allowed on many conservation areas. A Special Use Permit is required and these must be applied for at least 30 days before trapping begins. Contact the area manager at the regional office to see what opportunities are available in your area.
Traps
- May be placed and set for furbearers at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 15 and must be removed by midnight of the last day of trapping season
- Must have smooth or rubber jaws only, and may include foot-hold, Conibear, or other killing-type, foot-enclosing-type, cage-type, colony traps with openings no greater than 6 inches in height and 6 inches wide, snares set underwater only, and cable restraint devices.
- Must be plainly labeled on durable material with the user’s full name and address or Conservation Number.
- Wildlife must be removed or released from traps daily, except for colony and killing-type traps, which must be checked every 48 hours.
- May not be set in paths made or used by people or domestic animals. Killing-type traps may not be set along public roadways, except underwater in permanent waters. Within communities having 10,000 or more inhabitants, only cage-type or foot-enclosing-type traps may be set within 150 feet of any residence or occupied building
- May be used in conjunction with electronic calls
Conibear or Killing-type traps must comply with the following:
- With a jaw spread greater than 5 inches, may be set underwater, but not in any dry land set
- With a jaw spread not greater than 8 inches, may be set 6 feet or more above ground level in buildings
Snares must comply with the following:
- Be set underwater
- Have a loop 15 inches or less in diameter when set
- Have a stop device that prevents the snare from closing to less than 2 1/2 inches in diameter
- Be made with cable that is between 5/64 inch and 1/8 inch in diameter
- Have a mechanical lock and anchor swivel
Cable Restraint Regulations
When used correctly, cable restraint devices hold animals alive and allow trappers to release non-target animals unharmed. The devices can be used to take furbearers from November 15 through January 31.
Cable restraint devices MUST:
- Be made of stranded steel cable, not greater than 5 feet long (not including extension, with a diameter of not less than 5/64 inch and equipped with a commercially manufactured breakaway rated at 350 pounds or less, a relaxing-type lock, a stop device that prevents it from closing to less than 2 1/2 inches in diameter, and an anchor swivel. Note: Compression-type chokes and other mechanically powered springs are prohibited.
- Have a loop size of 12 inches diameter or smaller when set
- Have the bottom of the cable loop set at least 6 inches or greater above the ground
- Be anchored solidly or staked in a location not allowing entanglement
- Be checked daily.
Cable restraint devices must NOT be:
- Capable of extending to within 12 inches of a fence
- Set using a drag
- Set with a kill-pole
- Used within 150 feet of any dwelling or driveway leading to a dwelling.
Note: Trappers may not possess live coyotes, red fox, and gray fox after March 15.
Hunter-Orange Requirement
For your safety, you are urged to wear hunter orange whenever you are hunting.
When Hunter Orange is Required
You must wear hunter orange if:
- You are hunting any species of game during firearms deer season. Some exceptions are allowed. See below.
- You are hunting on an area that is having a managed firearms deer hunt.
- You are serving as a mentor to another hunter during firearms deer season or on an area that is having a managed firearms deer hunt.
To satisfy this rule, you must wear both a hunter-orange hat and a hunter-orange shirt, vest, or coat. The hunter-orange color must be plainly visible from all sides. Camouflage orange does not satisfy this rule.
When Hunter Orange Is Not Required
You don’t have to wear hunter orange during firearms deer season or on an area that is having a managed firearms deer hunt if:
- You are hunting migratory game birds.
- You are archery hunting within municipal boundaries where the discharge of firearms is prohibited.
- You are hunting on federal or state land where deer hunting is restricted to archery methods.
- You are using an archery permit during the alternative methods portion.
- You are hunting in a county that is closed during the urban zones and antlerless portions.
- You are hunting small game or furbearers during the alternative methods portion.
Deer Hunting Regulations
Allowed hunting methods vary by season
Allowed hunting methods vary by season. Be sure to view season information and the General Hunting Regulations before you hunt.
Hunter-orange requirement
Hunter orange is required during the firearms deer season. Read all the hunter-orange requirements before hunting.
Baiting regulations
Prohibited
Use of bait — which includes grain or other feed placed or scattered so as to attract deer or turkeys — while hunting is illegal.
An area is considered baited for 10 days after complete removal of the bait.
A hunter can be in violation if they take or attempt to take a deer or turkey by the aid of bait where the hunter knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited.
It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.
Mineral and salt blocks are not allowed on conservation areas.
Additional rules apply in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zones.
Allowed
Doe urine and other scents, such as apple, acorn, and persimmon, may be used to attract deer while hunting, as long as the scents are not used on or with grain and other food products.
Mineral blocks, including salt, are not considered bait. However, mineral blocks that contain grain or other food additives are prohibited. Mineral and salt blocks are not allowed on conservation areas.
It is legal to hunt over a harvested crop field, but it is not legal to add grain or other crops, such as apples, to the field after it has been harvested.
Manipulating crops, such as mowing or knocking them down, is not considered baiting for deer and turkeys.
Limits
Check your permit and hunting season for information about limits. Also check to determine if antler point restrictions apply to the area where you are hunting.
Antlered deer limits
- You may take only two antlered deer during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined.
- Archery hunters may take only one antlered deer before the November portion of firearms deer hunting season.
- Only one antlered deer may be taken during firearms deer hunting season (all portions combined).
- If you are drawn to participate in a managed hunt, you may take as many antlered deer as allowed at that specific hunt. Deer taken at a managed hunt do not count toward your firearms or archery season limits.
Chronic Wasting Disease
If you hunt in Adair, Barry, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Hickory, Howell, Jefferson, Knox, Linn, Macon, Mercer, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Polk, Putnam, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Warren, and Washington, you are in the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zones. Learn the best practices for harvesting deer in these counties.
Assisting other deer hunters
New! During the youth portions of firearms deer season, adults who accompany youth hunters do not need a deer hunting permit. The adult must be 18 or older and be hunter-education certified or born before January 1, 1967.
At all other times, mentors must possess a valid hunting permit for the appropriate season or be exempt. In the case of deer and turkey permits, the mentor’s permit can be filled or unfilled.
Tree stands placed on Conservation Department areas
Portable tree stands may be placed or used only between September 1 and January 31 on Conservation Department areas. Unattended stands must be plainly labeled on durable material with your full name and address, or Conservation number. You may not use nails, screw-in steps, or any material that would damage the tree. Tree stands must be removed from the area before February 1.
Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program
Special rules apply on areas enrolled in the Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP). For example, on MRAP areas you must remove your tree stand when you leave each day. When hunting on an MRAP area, it is your responsibility to read and follow the rules that are posted at the area.
Retrieval of game
If you kill or injure a deer, you must make a reasonable effort to retrieve and include the animal in your season limit. However, this does not authorize trespass. It is illegal to leave or abandon commonly edible portions of game.
Use of dogs to hunt and recover game
Dogs may not be used to hunt deer. However, you may use leashed dogs to track and recover mortally wounded deer, provided you:
- Have exhausted other reasonable means of finding the animal,
- Contact a conservation agent,
- Do not possess firearms or bows during dog-tracking activities, and
- Maintain control of the leashed dog at all times.
Using dogs to recover game does not authorize trespass.
Read regulations on hunting with dogs.
Keep deer carcasses out of streams and lakes
It is illegal to place a deer carcass or any of its parts into any well, spring, brook, branch, creek, stream, pond, or lake.
Possession and sale
Properly checked deer and turkeys may be possessed by anyone if labeled with the taker’s full name, address, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number. The Telecheck confirmation number must remain attached to the carcass until a meat processor begins working on the animal.
Deer left at commercial processing or cold storage plants must be claimed by May 1 following the season taken.
Legally obtained deer heads, antlers, hides, and feet may be sold by the taker as long as the taker provides a bill of sale that shows:
- The taker’s full name and address,
- The species and number of parts, and
- The full name and address of the buyer.
For deer heads and/or antlers attached to skull plates, a dated bill of sale identifying the seller must be retained while the heads or antlers are in the buyer’s possession.
Any person who finds a dead deer with antlers still attached to the skull plate may take the antlers, but must report the find to a conservation agent within 24 hours to receive authorization to possess the antlers.
No authorization is needed to possess, buy, or sell shed antlers not attached to the skull plate.
Read general regulations about giving away, possessing, storing and selling wildlife.
Turkey Hunting Regulations
Check permits and seasons for hunting dates and allowed methods
You can find dates, allowed methods and valid permits on the turkey hunting seasons section.
Assisting other turkey hunters
New! Mentors who are assisting youth hunters do not need a permit during the youth spring turkey season and the youth portions of firearms deer season.
At all other times, mentors must possess a valid hunting permit for the appropriate season or be exempt. In the case of deer and turkey permits, the mentor’s permit can be filled or unfilled.
Baiting regulations
- Use of bait - which includes grain or other feed placed or scattered as to attract turkeys – while hunting is illegal.
- An area is considered baited for 10 days after complete removal of the bait.
- A hunter can be in violation if they take or attempt to take a turkey by the aid of bait where the hunter knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited.
- It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.
- Mineral blocks, including salt, are not considered bait, but mineral blocks that contain grain or other food additives are prohibited.
- It is legal to hunt over a harvested crop field, but it is illegal to add grain or other crops, such as apples, to the field after it has been harvested.
- Manipulating crops, such as mowing or knocking them down, is not considered baiting for turkeys.
Voiding permits
Hunters who harvest a turkey must void their permit immediately by notching the month and day of harvest.
Tagging and checking
As long as you stay with your harvested turkey, you don't need to attach your notched permit to the bird, but you must keep your permit on hand. If you leave your turkey, you must attach your permit to the turkey's leg. Visit the Telecheck page for more information on how to properly tag and check your bird.
Hunter Ethics
All hunters should treat the outdoors with respect and follow ethical hunting practices. These include:
- If you hunt on private land, be sure to obtain permission from the landowner and respect his or her property as if it were your own. Scout the area you plan to hunt so you know where the boundaries, houses, roads, fences and livestock are located on the property.
- If you do not kill your game instantly, make every effort to find the wounded animal. Permission is required to enter private land.
- Clean and care for your game properly.
- Pick up all litter, including spent ammunition. Leaving an area better than the way you found it is a sign of thanks for the privilege of hunting.
- Report observed violations of the law to a conservation agent or local sheriff as soon as possible.
- If you are involved in a firearms-related accident, the law requires that you identify yourself and render assistance; failure to do so is a Class A misdemeanor.
- Develop your skills and knowledge, and share them with others.
- Know and obey all wildlife laws.
- Know and follow the rules of gun safety.
- Respect the rights of hunters, non-hunters and landowners.
- Make every effort to retrieve and use all game.
- Respect the land and all wildlife.
- Be sensitive to others when displaying harvested game.
- Remember, hunting is not a competitive sport.
Related Content:
Kansas City Deer Hunting Zone
Kansas City urban zone
- Portion of Platte County south of Hwy 92
- Portion of Cass County north of Route 2
- All portions of Clay and Jackson counties
Questions? Contact our regional office
Kansas City Region
12405 SE Ranson Road
Lee’s Summit, MO 64082
816-622-0900
Antler Point Restrictions
What are antler point restrictions?
In Missouri counties with antler restrictions, an antlered deer must have at least four points on one side to be taken.
How to count antler points
Each of the following counts as a point:
- The end of the main beam
- An antler point, if it is at least 1 inch long
- Any broken tine that is at least 1 inch long
- The brow tine, if it is at least 1 inch long
Tines, main beams and brow tines all count as a point if they are at least 1-inch long. A buck with seven points is a legal deer in counties with antler-point restrictions.
Counties with a 4 antler point minimum
These counties require that bucks you harvest have at least four antler points on one side of their rack. This rule applies to both the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons. It does not apply to youth portions of the firearms deer season.
- Andrew
- Atchison
- Audrain
- Barton
- Bates
- Benton
- Boone
- Buchanan
- Caldwell
- Callaway
- Camden
- Carroll
- Cass (applies to part of county)
- Clark
- Clinton
- Cole
- Cooper
- Daviess
- DeKalb
- Gentry
- Grundy
- Harrison
- Henry
- Holt
- Howard
- Johnson
- Lafayette
- Lewis
- Lincoln
- Livingston
- Maries
- Marion
- Miller
- Moniteau
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Morgan
- Nodaway
- Osage
- Pettis
- Phelps
- Pike
- Platte (applies to part of county)
- Pulaski
- Ralls
- Randolph
- Ray
- Saline
- Schuyler
- Scotland
- Shelby
- Vernon
- Worth
Legal
Does, button bucks and bucks with spikes less than 3 inches are legal to take on Antlerless or Any-Deer Permits; but for deer management, it is better to take does.
Protected
Protected deer include all antlered deer (defined as having at least one antler 3 inches or longer) that do not have a minimum of at least four points on one side.
County Restrictions on Antlerless Deer Hunting
Antlerless Permits
Archery antlerless permits can be used during the archery deer season in open counties. Firearm antlerless permits can be used during all portions of firearms deer season. However, some areas are closed to firearms hunting during the urban zones and antlerless portions.
How many Archery Antlerless Permits can you fill?
Hunters may purchase and fill any number of Archery Antlerless Deer Hunting Permits during the archery deer season in all counties BUT: Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, and Scott counties.
Missouri counties (in orange where any number of archery antlerless deer permits can be used.
How Many Firearms Antlerless Permits Can You Fill?
You may purchase as many antlerless permits as you want, but each county or county section has a limit on the number of antlerless permits you may fill. Resident landowners with at least 75 acres may harvest additional antlerless deer using no-cost Resident Landowner Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permits.
Firearms Antlerless Permits Map
- Counties in gray: During firearms season, antlerless deer may be taken only on an any-deer permit or a landowner antlerless deer hunting permit: Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Iron, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Reynolds, Scott. Stoddard, and Wayne.
- Counties in blue: You may fill two firearms antlerless deer hunting permits in these counties during firearms deer season (all portions combined): Adair, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Benton, Boone, Callaway, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Clay, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Grundy, Hickory, Howell, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Marion, McDonald, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Morgan, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Perry, Pike, Putnam, Polk, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Warren, and Washington.
You may fill two firearms antlerless deer hunting permits in parts of these counties during firearms deer season (all portions combined): Cass and Platte.
Resident landowners with at least 75 acres may harvest additional antlerless deer using no-cost Resident Landowner Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permits.
- Counties in orange: You may fill one firearms antlerless deer hunting permit in these counties or county sections during firearms deer season (all portions combined). Resident landowners with at least 75 acres may harvest additional antlerless deer using no-cost Resident Landowner Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permits.
Antlerless Portion of the Firearms Season
Firearms hunting is allowed only in counties or county sections shaded blue or orange in the map below. Areas in white are closed to firearms hunting during the antlerless portion.
Firearms Antlerless Portion Map
Counties closed to firearms hunting during the antlerless portion: Andrew, Atchison, Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Holt, Iron, Mississippi, New Madrid, Nodaway, Pemiscot, Reynolds, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne.
All other counties (shaded orange in the map above) are open to firearms hunting during the antlerless portion.
Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations
The CWD Management Zone includes counties within approximately 10 miles of CWD detections. Special regulations apply in these counties.
For the 2019–2020 deer seasons, the CWD Management Zone includes Adair, Barry, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Hickory, Howell, Jefferson, Knox, Linn, Macon, Mercer, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Polk, Putnam, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Warren, and Washington counties.
Fall 2019 Mandatory CWD Sampling
Hunters who harvest deer on November 16 and 17 from CWD Management Zone counties must take their deer, or the head with at least six inches of the neck in place, to one of the MDC CWD sampling locations. Sampling stations will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Special Regulations for the CWD Management Zone
Prohibition on feeding
Grain, salt products, minerals and other consumable products used to attract deer are prohibited year-round within CWD Management Zone counties. The following exceptions are allowed:
- Feed placed within 100 feet of any residence or occupied building
- Feed placed in a manner that excludes access by deer
- Feed and minerals used solely for normal agricultural, forest management, or wildlife food plot production practices
- Feed placed as part of a feral hog or CWD management effort authorized by the Conservation Department
Other Special Regulations for the CWD Management Zone
- Antler-Point Restriction: MDC has removed the antler-point restriction for CWD-Management-Zone counties. This was done so young bucks are no longer protected from harvest because young bucks can spread the disease to new areas as they search for territories and mates.
- Firearms Antlerless Permits: MDC has also increased the availability of firearms antlerless permits for CWD Management Zone counties to increase antlerless harvest opportunities This was done to help prevent undesired population increases in local deer numbers.
Bringing Harvested Deer or Other Cervids into Missouri
- Hunters who harvest deer, elk, or moose outside of the state and bring the animals back must report the entry into Missouri within 24 hours by calling 877-853-5665 or reporting it online.
- The carcass must be taken to a licensed meat processor or taxidermist within 72 hours of entry.
- Hunters just passing through Missouri on their way to another state are exempt from this requirement as long as they are not in Missouri for longer than 24 hours.
- The reporting requirement is only for whole carcasses and carcasses that have the head and spinal column attached.
- Parts that do not require reporting and that are at lower risk for harboring CWD include: meat that is cut and wrapped; boned-out-meat; quarters or other portions of meat with no parts of the spine or head attached; hides or capes from which excess tissue has been removed; antlers, including those attached to skull plates; and skulls where all muscle and brain tissue has been removed.
Hunters and Landowners Can Slow the Spread of CWD
Surveillance suggests that CWD is relatively rare in Missouri. There is hope that we can minimize the long-term impacts of the disease if we slow its spread. You can help by:
- Complying with CWD-related regulations.
- Properly disposing of deer carcasses in a permitted landfill or by burying carcasses on the property where they were harvested. (Transporting deer carcasses from the property where they were harvested and leaving them lay on the land introduces the greatest risk for disease spread.)
- Reporting sick deer to your local conservation agent or your regional Conservation Department office.
- Voluntarily testing deer harvested in the CWD Management Zone outside of opening weekend.
Related Content:
Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit and Stamp Requirements
To pursue, take, possess, and transport ducks, coots, and geese in Missouri, except during the Conservation Order, you must possess and carry the following, unless exempt:
1) a Missouri permit to hunt small game is required of:
- Missouri residents age 16 through 64
- Nonresidents age 16 and older
An annual permit is available to residents for $10 and to nonresidents for $80 from any permit vendor. A daily permit is also available to nonresidents from any permit vendor for $11 per day.
Exemption: Missouri resident landowners hunting on their own land do not need a Missouri small game hunting permit, but the Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and Duck Stamp are required (see below).
2) Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit is required of:
- Residents and nonresidents age 16 and over.
This permit is available for $6 from any permit vendor. Purchase of this permit satisfies requirements for Migratory Game Bird Harvest Registration.
3) Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is required of: Residents and nonresidents age 16 and over. To be valid, the federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (duck stamp) must be signed in ink across the face.
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 at the Buy e-Permits link below or at 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 $28.50 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. Retail vendors will still be able to process e-Stamp transactions for hunters.
Permit Requirements for Hunters Younger Than 16
Resident and nonresident hunters age 15 and younger are not required to purchase any permits to hunt ducks, coots or geese in Missouri. However, they must have in their possession a valid Hunter Education Certificate Card while hunting or be in the immediate presence of an adult age 18 or older who possesses a Missouri small game hunting permit and is hunter education certified or born before Jan. 1, 1967.
Permit Requirement for Light-Goose Conservation Order
During the Conservation Order residents and nonresidents age 16 and older only need a Conservation Order Permit to chase, pursue and take snow, blue and Ross’s geese. This permit costs $5 for residents and $40 for nonresidents. Hunters with either a Resident Lifetime Conservation Partner Permit or a Resident Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit do not need to purchase a Conservation Order Permit to hunt light geese during the Conservation Order.
Hunters 15 years old and younger do not need a Conservation Order Permit, but must possess a valid hunter-education certificate card or hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult 18 years old or older who is hunter-education certified or was born before January 1, 1967.
Note: A Missouri small game hunting permit, Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and Federal Duck Stamp are not required during the Conservation Order.
Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Hunting Regulations
Hunting Methods
Firearms
Only shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller, are allowed for hunting migratory game birds.
If a shotgun can hold more than three shells, it must be plugged with a one-piece filler that cannot be removed without disassembling the gun.
Concealment devices
You can't use a sink box or anything else that conceals you below the surface of the water.
Motorized transportation
Hunting from a motor vehicle, including aircraft, is not allowed. Paraplegics and persons missing one or both legs are exempted from this regulation.
Motorized vehicles, including aircraft, or motor boats or sailboats may not be used to round up migratory birds.
You can't hunt from a motorboat or sailboat unless the motor is off or sails furled.
Decoys and calls
Live decoys are prohibited. All tame or captive ducks and geese must be removed 10 days prior to hunting. All tame or captive ducks and geese must be kept where migratory waterfowl cannot see them and their calls are quieted.
Recorded or amplified bird calls or amplified imitations of bird calls are not allowed.
Baiting
You can't bait your hunting area. All bait must be removed 10 days prior to hunting.
Hunting over freshly planted food plots is prohibited.
Possession and Transportation
Wanton Waste
All hunters must make a reasonable effort to retrieve any bird killed or crippled while hunting. The bird must be in the hunter's custody until it is brought back to the hunter's lodging or a taxidermist.
Opening Day Of A Season
On the opening day of the season, no person shall possess any freshly killed migratory game birds in excess of the daily bag limit.
Field Possession Limit
No person shall have more than the daily bag limit of migratory game birds, tagged or not tagged, at or between the place where taken and either (a) one’s automobile or principal means of land transportation; or (b) one’s personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging; or (c) a migratory bird preservation facility; or (d) a post office; or (e) a common carrier facility.
Tagging Requirements
All hunters must tag migratory birds before giving the bird to another person for processing, storage, or for taxidermy. The tag will have the hunter's address, number and species of birds, and the date the birds were killed, and be signed by the hunter.
All birds must be tagged before the hunter gives the birds as a gift, or are transported by another person. If the birds are mailed or shipped, the box must have the tagging information.
Species Identification Requirement
All waterfowl must have the head or one fully-feathered wing attached while the bird is in transit to the hunter's home or taxidermist.
Youth Waterfowl Regulations
Each year, there are two youth-only waterfowl hunting days in each zone for ducks, geese and coots. Youth hunters must be:
- age 15 or younger
- accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older who is not allowed to hunt ducks but who can participate in other open seasons.
No permits are required for youth hunters. If the youth possesses a valid hunter-education certificate card, the accompanying adult does not need a permit or hunter-ed certification. However, if the youth is not hunter-ed certified, the accompanying adult must be hunter-ed certified unless they were born before Jan. 1, 1967, and possess a Missouri permit to hunt small game or be exempt.
Shooting hours and limits are the same as the regular duck, goose, and coot seasons.
Nontoxic Shot Regulations
When is Nontoxic shot required?
- All waterfowl hunting (ducks, geese, teal, and coots)
- Hunting dove, rails, snipe, and woodcock on public areas with nontoxic shot requirement posted.
- Hunting with a shotgun (including dove, turkey, quail, rabbit, squirrel) on thirty-seven conservation areas.
Waterfowl hunters in Missouri have used nontoxic shot since 1991. This requirement has been shown to reduce the incidences of lead poisoning in wildlife.
Approved types of nontoxic shot
These shot types have been approved as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (as of January 2019):
- Bismuth-tin
- Copper-clad iron
- Corrosion-inhibited copper (CIC)
- Iron (steel)
- Iron-tungsten
- Iron-tungsten-nickel
- Tungsten-bronze (two types)
- Tungsten-iron-copper-nickel
- Tungsten-iron-polymer
- Tungsten-matrix
- Tungsten-polymer
- Tungsten-tin-bismuth
- Tungsten-tin-iron
- Tungsten-tin-iron-nickel
Dove Hunting
Use or possession of lead shot for hunting doves is prohibited on the following conservation areas:
- Bilby Ranch Lake
- Bois D’Arc
- August A . Busch
- Crowley’s Ridge
- Davisdale
- Harmony Mission Lake
- Lamine River
- William R . Logan
- Maintz Wildlife Preserve
- Pacific Palisades
- Guy B . Park
- Peabody
- Pony Express Lake
- James A . Reed Memorial Wildlife Area
- Reform
- Robert E . Talbot
- Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Bethlehem)
- Weldon Spring
- Whetstone Creek
- White (William G . and Erma Parke) Memorial Wildlife Area
All Hunting
Use or possession of lead shot is prohibited for all hunting with a shotgun on the following conservation areas:
- Aspinwall Bend
- Black Island
- Bob Brown
- Church Farm
- Columbia Bottom
- Cooley Lake
- Coon Island
- Corning
- Deroin Bend
- Diana Bend
- Duck Creek
- Eagle Bluffs
- Franklin Island
- Frost Island
- Fountain Grove
- Four Rivers
- Grand Pass
- B. K. Leach Memorial
- Little Bean Marsh
- Little River
- Lower Hamburg Bend
- Marais Temps Clair
- Montrose
- Nishnabotna
- Nodaway Valley
- Otter Slough
- Ralph and Martha Perry
- Platte Falls
- Plowboy Bend
- Rose Pond
- Rush Bottoms
- Schell-Osage
- Settle’s Ford
- Ted Shanks
- Ten Mile Pond
- Thurnau
- Wolf Creek Bend
Nontoxic shot is safer for wildlife and people
Lead is poisonous to both people and wildlife. Research shows that doves, waterfowl, and many other species of birds can suffer from lead poisoning after consuming lead pellets from spent shotgun shells. Lead poisoning can be fatal to birds and other wildlife, including bald eagles that feed on waterfowl with lead shot in the carcasses.
Don't Shoot a Swan
Trumpeter swans are protected by federal and state laws and may not be shot.
Trumpeter swans are twice the size of Canada geese and four times the size of snow geese. Young swans are gray.
Identification tips:
Trumpeter Swan
- White wings and body
- White wingtips
- Long white neck
- Black bill
- Length: 4 ft.
- Wingspan: 7 ft.
- Weight: 20-30 lbs.
Canada Goose
- Gray and white body and wings
- Black head, neck and bill with white cheek patch
- Length: 2 ft.
- Wingspan: 5 ft.
- Weight: 10-12 lbs.
Snow Goose
- White, with black wing tips
- Short neck
- Length: 1 1/2 ft.
- Wingspan: 3 1/2 ft.
- Weight: 5-6 lbs.
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Hunting with Dogs
Hunters may use dogs to take and retrieve game, but there are restrictions by species, times, and locations.
When Dogs are Illegal to Use
Dogs are prohibited when hunting deer and turkey.
Dogs can not be used to harvest muskrat, mink, river otter, and beaver.
Dogs are prohibited when hunting furbearers (badger, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk) during daylight hours from Nov.1 through the close of the November portion of the firearms deer season and in counties that have an antlerless portion of the deer season.
Dogs are prohibited when hunting squirrels and rabbits during daylight hours of the November portion of the firearms deer season in the following counties:
- Butler
- Carter
- Dent
- Iron
- Madison
- Oregon
- Reynolds
- Ripley
- Shannon
- Wayne
Dogs must wear ID
While hunting, all dogs, except for those used by waterfowl and game bird hunters, must wear a collar with the owner’s full name and address, Conservation Number or complete telephone number.
Training Dogs
During training, dogs may chase but not take wildlife that can be hunted with dogs. You will need a hunting permit appropriate for the wildlife or exception when training dogs that are chasing wildlife.
Only a pistol with blank ammunition may be used during daylight hours to train dogs during closed seasons.
Southeast Missouri Flood Map
During spring turkey and fall deer and turkey seasons, you cannot take wildlife, except waterfowl, when river levels exceed specified limits on local river gauges in certain flood-prone areas in southeast Missouri.
This map shows in real-time which areas are open or closed to hunting. Check it before heading out on your turkey or deer hunt.
For a complete listing of this rule, see 3 CSR 10-7.405 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
Numbers on the map refer to zones referenced in the regulation.
For a larger version of the map SE Regulatory Flood Zone
Zones
1: Scott County
No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey or fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 33 feet on the Thebes, IL gauge.
2: Mississippi County
No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey or fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 41 feet on the Cairo, IL gauge.
3: New Madrid and Mississippi Counties
No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey season when the Mississippi River is at or above 34 feet on the New Madrid, MO gauge.
3A: New Madrid and Mississippi Counties
No hunting (except waterfowl) during fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 34 feet on the New Madrid, MO gauge.
3B: New Madrid and Mississippi Counties
No hunting (except waterfowl) during fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 36 feet on the New Madrid, MO gauge.
3C: New Madrid and Mississippi Counties
No hunting (except waterfowl) during fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 40 feet on the New Madrid, MO gauge.
4: Pemiscot County
No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey or fall deer and turkey seasons when the Mississippi River is at or above 33 feet on the Caruthersville, MO gauge.
5A: Dunklin County
No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey or fall deer and turkey seasons when the St. Francis River is at or above 21 feet on the St. Francis, AR gauge.
5B: Dunklin County
No hunting (except waterfowl) during spring turkey or fall deer and turkey seasons when the St. Francis River is at or above 15.5 feet on the St. Francis, AR gauge.
Additional Bobcat Regulations
Notification Requirement
Bobcats or their pelts must be delivered to an agent of the Conservation Department for registration or tagging before selling, transferring, tanning or mounting by April 10. Tagged bobcats or their pelts may be possessed by the taker throughout the year and may be sold only to licensed taxidermists, tanners or fur dealers. It is illegal to purchase or sell untagged bobcats or their pelts.
Additional Coyote Regulations
Coyotes may NOT be hunted during daylight hours from April 1 until the start of spring turkey season.
During spring turkey season, coyotes may be taken using only methods allowed for spring turkey, and hunters must have an unfilled turkey permit and a permit to hunt small game.
Dogs may not be used to hunt coyotes during daylight hours statewide from November 1 to the close of the November portion of the firearms deer season and during the antlerless portions in open counties.
Additional Dove Regulations
Nontoxic shot required on posted public areas and conservation areas.
Additional Groundhog Regulations
Groundhog pelts can be possessed and sold throughout the year. Cage-type traps may be used if the trap is:
- Labeled with your name and address or your conservation number
- Is attended daily
- Has an opening 144 square inches or smaller
Additional Otter and Muskrat Regulations
Otter pelts must be registered or tagged by a conservation agent before selling, transferring, tanning or mounting by April 10.
Tagged otter pelts may be possessed by the taker throughout the year and may be sold only to licensed taxidermists, tanners, or fur dealers.
It is illegal to purchase or sell untagged otters or their pelts.
Additional Pheasant Regulations
Only male pheasants may be taken.
A foot or fully feathered head must be left attached to pheasants during transportation and storage.
Additional Rabbit Regulations
Only cottontail and swamp rabbits may be hunted. Jackrabbits are protected at all times and may not be hunted or trapped.
During Deer Season
During daylight hours of the November portion of the firearms deer hunting season, rabbits may not be chased, pursued or taken with the aid of dogs in Butler, Carter, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon or Wayne counties.
During the November and antlerless portions (in areas where open) of the firearms deer season, rabbits may be hunted only with a .22 caliber or smaller rim-fire or a shotgun and shot not larger than No. 4. This does not apply to waterfowl hunters, trappers, or to landowners on their land.
Use of Cage-type Traps
In addition to prescribed hunting methods, you may take rabbits 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
- be attended daily, and
- have an opening 144 square inches or smaller
Additional Snipe Regulations
Shotguns only.
Nontoxic shot required on posted public areas and conservation areas.
Prohibited Methods:
- Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, unless plugged
- Hunting from a motor vehicle or motorboat
- Using live birds as decoys
- Using recorded or amplified calls
- Baiting
Birds must be tagged (with the taker's signature, address, total number and species of birds, and the date that the birds were killed), if left any place other than the hunter's home.
Additional Sora and Virginia Rails Regulations
Shotguns only.
Nontoxic shot required on posted public areas and conservation areas.
Prohibited Methods:
- Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, unless plugged
- Hunting from a motor vehicle or motorboat
- Using live birds as decoys
- Using recorded or amplified calls
- Baiting
Birds must be tagged (with the taker's signature, address, total number and species of birds, and the date that the birds were killed), if left any place other than the hunter's home.
Additional Squirrel Regulations
During Deer Season
During daylight hours of the November portion of the firearms deer hunting season, squirrels may not be chased, pursued or taken with the aid of dogs in Butler, Carter, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon or Wayne counties.
During the November and antlerless portions (in areas where open) of the firearms deer season, squirrels may be hunted only with a .22 caliber or smaller rim-fire or a shotgun and shot not larger than No. 4. This does not apply to waterfowl hunters, trappers, or to landowners on their land.
Use of Cage-type Traps
In addition to prescribed hunting methods, 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
- be attended daily, and
- have an opening 144 square inches or smaller
Additional Woodcock Regulations
Shotguns only.
Nontoxic shot required on posted public areas and conservation areas.
Prohibited Methods:
- Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, unless plugged
- Hunting from a motor vehicle or motorboat
- Using live birds as decoys
- Using recorded or amplified calls
- Baiting
Birds must be tagged (with the taker's signature, address, total number and species of birds, and the date that the birds were killed), if left any place other than the hunter's home.
Conservation Area Regulations
Before you go hunting, check Places to Go for any special regulations on areas. Search for a specific area, or all areas with a specific activity associated with it. Once on an area's page, you will find a list of area regulations and seasons at the bottom of the page.
Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations
The CWD Management Zone includes counties within approximately 10 miles of CWD detections. Special regulations apply in these counties.
For the 2019–2020 deer seasons, the CWD Management Zone includes Adair, Barry, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Hickory, Howell, Jefferson, Knox, Linn, Macon, Mercer, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Polk, Putnam, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Warren, and Washington counties.
Fall 2019 Mandatory CWD Sampling
Hunters who harvest deer on November 16 and 17 from CWD Management Zone counties must take their deer, or the head with at least six inches of the neck in place, to one of the MDC CWD sampling locations. Sampling stations will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Special Regulations for the CWD Management Zone
Prohibition on feeding
Grain, salt products, minerals and other consumable products used to attract deer are prohibited year-round within CWD Management Zone counties. The following exceptions are allowed:
- Feed placed within 100 feet of any residence or occupied building
- Feed placed in a manner that excludes access by deer
- Feed and minerals used solely for normal agricultural, forest management, or wildlife food plot production practices
- Feed placed as part of a feral hog or CWD management effort authorized by the Conservation Department
Other Special Regulations for the CWD Management Zone
- Antler-Point Restriction: MDC has removed the antler-point restriction for CWD-Management-Zone counties. This was done so young bucks are no longer protected from harvest because young bucks can spread the disease to new areas as they search for territories and mates.
- Firearms Antlerless Permits: MDC has also increased the availability of firearms antlerless permits for CWD Management Zone counties to increase antlerless harvest opportunities This was done to help prevent undesired population increases in local deer numbers.
Bringing Harvested Deer or Other Cervids into Missouri
- Hunters who harvest deer, elk, or moose outside of the state and bring the animals back must report the entry into Missouri within 24 hours by calling 877-853-5665 or reporting it online.
- The carcass must be taken to a licensed meat processor or taxidermist within 72 hours of entry.
- Hunters just passing through Missouri on their way to another state are exempt from this requirement as long as they are not in Missouri for longer than 24 hours.
- The reporting requirement is only for whole carcasses and carcasses that have the head and spinal column attached.
- Parts that do not require reporting and that are at lower risk for harboring CWD include: meat that is cut and wrapped; boned-out-meat; quarters or other portions of meat with no parts of the spine or head attached; hides or capes from which excess tissue has been removed; antlers, including those attached to skull plates; and skulls where all muscle and brain tissue has been removed.
Hunters and Landowners Can Slow the Spread of CWD
Surveillance suggests that CWD is relatively rare in Missouri. There is hope that we can minimize the long-term impacts of the disease if we slow its spread. You can help by:
- Complying with CWD-related regulations.
- Properly disposing of deer carcasses in a permitted landfill or by burying carcasses on the property where they were harvested. (Transporting deer carcasses from the property where they were harvested and leaving them lay on the land introduces the greatest risk for disease spread.)
- Reporting sick deer to your local conservation agent or your regional Conservation Department office.
- Voluntarily testing deer harvested in the CWD Management Zone outside of opening weekend.
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Check the Code
This is NOT a legal document. Regulations are subject to revision during the current year.
Refer to the Wildlife Code.
Permit Information
Before you hunt or fish this season, make sure to buy your Missouri hunting and fishing permits. General information about permits.
Comment on Regulations
We welcome your comments on all our regulations.
Regulations and Permits Definitions
Knowing regulations and permits definitions helps you abide by the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
Mission & Vision
We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources.
