Hunting and Fishing Permit Exemptions

Anyone who fishes, hunts, or traps must have the appropriate permit or qualify for an exemption.

Permits with NO Exemptions

Certain permits are required, without exception, based on the activity.

Trout fishing requires a trout permit if fishing outside a trout park. 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.

Permit Exemption Qualifications

Other than the permits listed above, a user may qualify for permit exemption.

Are you a Missouri resident who owns or leases land?

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.

Resident lessees and their immediate households may fish, trap, and hunt (except deer and turkey) on land they lease and live on.

Note: You must own or lease all of the land around the body of water to qualify for fishing permit exemptions.

Are you a Missouri resident age 65 or older?

Missouri residents ages 65 or older may fish and hunt (except deer and turkey) but not trap without permit.

Are you a youth age 15 or younger?

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.

Are you a veteran or Warrior in Transition?

Honorably discharged veterans or active personnel who:

• have service-related disability of 60% or greater
• were a prisoner of war during military service
• are assigned as a patient to a Warrior Transition Brigade, Warrior Transition Unit, or military medical center

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.

Do you have a severe medical condition?

The following exemptions apply only to fishing permits and to Missouri residents who are:

• diagnosed with corrected vision of 20/200 or less.
• diagnosed with 20 degree or less field of visual concentric contraction
• permanently unable to move without the aid of a wheelchair.
• diagnosed with cerebral palsy or a mental disability and cannot fish alone. Must be accompanied by a licensed adult angler.

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.