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Managed Hunts
Waterfowl
Some of the best public waterfowl hunting opportunities are found on the Department’s 15 intensively-managed wetlands and these areas have draw procedures in place to allocate limited hunting opportunities.
2020 Reservation Changes
There will be no pre-season draw. All reservations, including ADA blinds, will be allocated through the in-season online draw.
Hunting opportunity will be available no matter the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak. Reservation and drawing procedures will be adjusted as necessary to comply with Department of Health and Senior Service guidelines at the state and county level. The goal is to provide hunting opportunity while protecting public health during this global pandemic.
Each intensively managed wetland area will use one of four possible reservation/draw levels depending on the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak in the county in which they are located. Procedural level will be determined, in consultation with the appropriate county health department.
| Area Name | Current Procedural Level | Current Procedural Timeframe | Future Procedural Level (if applicable) | Future Procedural Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ten Mile Pond | Red | 11/26/20 - TBD |
Read "Know Before You Go".
Who can apply for a waterfowl reservation?
Only Missouri residents and qualifying non-residents (i.e. non-resident students, military stationed in Missouri) are eligible to enter the online reservation draws. ADA blinds can be applied for by qualifying hunters using the same online system. All hunting parties on these 15 areas are limited to four people.
Nonresident hunters can be a member of a reservation party or try their luck for an open spot in the “poor line”. Nonresident hunters can also go to any open-hunting waterfowl area without a reservation at any time during the waterfowl season.
Other changes for the 2020 season due to COVID-19
Teal Season
- No area will have drawings during the teal season.
- Teal hunters must still have a Daily Waterfowl Hunting Tag (green card) in their possession while hunting.
Youth Season
- No area will have a draw during the youth season.
- Youth season participants must still have a Daily Waterfowl Hunting Tag (green card) in their possession while hunting.
- Youth waders will not be available for loaning to youth during the youth season or the regular duck season.
| Procedural Level | Pre-season Reservation | Reservation Allocation % | Poor Line | Hunt Position Selection | # of Hunters in Building* | Time limit in building | 6 foot markers and travel lanes on floor | Waiting hunter location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Level | No | 100% | No | Pre-assigned hunt positions- each pill number corresponds to a hunt location | 0 | N/A | N/A | In vehicles |
| Orange Level | No | 100% | No | Hunters to select locations on hunt day. | One adult per party.** | 5 minutes at draw window | Yes | Encourage hunt parties to stay in their vehicles to maintain social distancing outside. |
| Yellow Level | No | 100% | Poor line allocation for reservation no-shows only | Hunters to select locations on hunt day. Reservation holders and poor line parties will need to check-in before draw time. | One adult per party.** | 5 minutes at draw window | Yes | Encourage hunt parties to stay in their vehicles to maintain social distancing outside. |
| Green Level | No | 50% | Yes. 50% allocation to poor line. | Hunters to select locations on hunt day. Reservation holders and poor line parties will ned to check-in before draw time. | One adult per party. ** | 5 minutes at draw window | Yes | Encourage hunt parties to stay in their vehicles to maintain social distancing outside. |
* MDC staff will control number of individuals in the building to follow local jurisdiction guidelines through morning procedures.
** Exceptions: if ADA hunter requires assistant to check-in, the assistant will be allowed in the draw room and if one adult hunter is hunting with one youth, that youth would be allowed in the draw room as well. Hunter time in the draw room will be limited to reduce exposure to staff and other hunters.
Details about the steps for each draw procedure will be available after September 1.
Open Hunting Areas
Open hunting areas allow waterfowl hunting, without a reservation, at any time during the waterfowl season. These areas are not as intensively managed for their wetland habitat, so they can be a little more unpredictable. Waterfowl may or may not be using the area, but there’s no line, and no reservation needed!
Check Places To Go for these open waterfowl areas.
Related Content:
Check the Code
This is NOT a legal document. Regulations are subject to revision during the current year.
Refer to the Wildlife Code.
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.
