Anyone who fishes, hunts, or traps must have the appropriate permit or qualify for an exemption.
Certain permits are required, without exception, based on the activity.
Trout fishing requires a trout permit to keep trout outside a trout park, or to fish in the upper portion of Lake Taneycomo. A daily trout fishing tag is required in trout parks.
Deer hunting requires a valid deer hunting permit.
Turkey hunting requires a valid turkey hunting permit.
Dove, snipe, woodcock, rail hunting requires a Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit. In addition, a hunter will need a valid small game hunting permit unless they meet exemption qualifications below.
Waterfowl hunting requires a Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and a federal duck stamp. A Conservation Order Permit is required for hunting light geese during the Conservation Order. In addition, a hunter will need a valid small game hunting permit unless they meet exemption qualifications below.
Other than the permits listed above, a user may qualify for permit exemption.
Resident landowners (who own five acres or more) and their immediate households may fish, trap, and hunt (except deer and turkey) on land they own.
Note: You must own all of the land around the body of water to qualify for fishing permit exemptions.
Missouri residents ages 65 or older may fish and hunt (except deer and turkey) but not trap without permit.
Anyone age 15 and younger (resident or nonresident) may fish* and hunt (except deer and turkey) without permit.
*Youth fishing are limited to using a pole and line, gig, bow, crossbow, snaring, grabbing, and snagging.
Youth who are not hunter education certified must hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult hunter age 18 or older who has a valid hunter-education card or was born before Jan. 1, 1967.
Missouri residents age 15 and younger may trap without permit.
Honorably discharged veterans or active personnel who:
May fish and hunt (except deer and turkey) but not trap without permit. When a hunting permit is required (deer, turkey, migratory bird, Conservation Order permits), nonresident veterans who meet the above requirements may purchase resident permits. You must carry a certified statement of eligibility from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or orders showing assignment to a Warrior Transition Brigade or Warrior Transition Unit, or carry admission verification to a military medical center.
The following exemptions apply only to fishing permits and to Missouri residents who are:
You must carry a statement of eligibility from a licensed physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist. Ask your licensed physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist to complete the fishing statement of eligibility form. You must carry this completed form with you when fishing.