Missouri Hunting Dates 2025-2026 – Season Forecast & Tag Info

Welcome, outdoor enthusiasts! Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just starting your journey into Missouri’s abundant wilderness, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the Show-Me State’s diverse hunting opportunities. We’ll cover everything from key season dates and license requirements to game-specific regulations across various wildlife zones. So grab your gear and let’s explore what Missouri has to offer for the 2025 hunting season!

Key Missouri Hunting Seasons at a Glance

Missouri offers exceptional wildlife diversity with opportunities to pursue game throughout the year. Here’s a quick summary of the major game seasons to help you plan your hunting calendar:

Quick Reference: Major Game Season Dates

Species	Season Type	Opening Date	Closing Date	Method
Deer	Archery	Sept 15, 2025	Nov 14, 2025 & Nov 26, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026	Archery
Deer	Firearms (November)	Nov 15, 2025	Nov 25, 2025	Firearms
Turkey	Spring	April 21, 2025	May 11, 2025	All legal
Turkey	Fall Archery	Sept 15, 2025	Nov 14, 2025 & Nov 26, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026	Archery
Bear	Regular	Oct 18, 2025	Oct 31, 2025	All legal
Elk	Archery	Oct 19, 2025	Oct 27, 2025	Archery
Elk	Firearms	Dec 14, 2025	Dec 22, 2025	Firearms
Squirrel	Regular	May 24, 2025	Feb 15, 2026	All legal
Waterfowl	North Zone	Nov 1, 2025	Dec 30, 2025	All legal

🦌 Big Game Seasons: Deer, Elk & Bear

Whitetail Deer Seasons

Missouri offers multiple opportunities for deer hunting throughout the fall and winter. The Show-Me State’s diverse landscapes provide excellent habitat for healthy whitetail populations across various regions.

Archery Season 🏹

Dates: September 15 – November 14, 2025 and November 26, 2025 – January 15, 2026
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Tags: Archer’s Hunting Permit allows two deer of either sex; only one antlered deer may be taken before November firearms portion
Note: You may take only two antlered deer during archery and firearms seasons combined

Firearms Seasons 🔫

November Portion: November 15 – 25, 2025
Antlerless Portions: October 10 – 12, 2025 and December 6 – 14, 2025
CWD Portion: November 26 – 30, 2025
Alternative Methods: December 27, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Youth Portions: November 1 – 2, 2025 and November 28 – 30, 2025
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Note: Antler-point restrictions apply in some counties

Black Bear Season 🐻

Dates: October 18 – 31, 2025
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Limits: One black bear of either sex with restrictions
Special Rules:
- Call 800-668-4045 daily to check quota status
- Cannot harvest bears in dens or bears with cubs
- Only lone bears may be taken

Elk Hunting 🦌

Archery Portion: October 19 – 27, 2025
Firearms Portion: December 14 – 22, 2025
Note: Permit required through drawing system

🦃 Turkey Hunting Seasons

Spring Turkey

Youth Portion: April 12 – 13, 2025
Regular Season: April 21 – May 11, 2025
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to 1 pm
Bag Limit: Two bearded turkeys, with only one taken per day

Fall Turkey

Archery Portion: September 15 – November 14, 2025 and November 26, 2025 – January 15, 2026
Firearms: October 1 – 31, 2025
Bag Limit: Two turkeys of either sex

🦊 Furbearer Seasons

Missouri’s landscape supports diverse furbearer populations. The following dates apply to common species:

Badger: November 15, 2025 – January 31, 2026
Bobcat: November 15, 2025 – February 28, 2026 (pelts must be registered)
Coyote Hunting: Year-round, with method restrictions during other seasons
Coyote Trapping: November 15, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Beaver/Nutria: November 15, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Raccoon/Opossum: November 15, 2025 – January 31, 2026

🐦 Upland Bird Seasons

Missouri offers several opportunities for upland bird enthusiasts throughout the fall and winter months:

Dove: September 1 – November 29, 2025
- Daily Limit: 15 (combined total of all dove species)
- Possession Limit: 45
- Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Common Snipe: September 1 – December 16, 2025
- Daily Limit: 8
- Possession Limit: 24
Crow: November 1, 2024 – March 3, 2025
- Daily Limit: Any number
- Possession Limit: Any number

🐿️ Small Game Seasons

Upland Animals

Squirrel: May 24, 2025 – February 15, 2026
- Methods: Firearms, archery, and other legal methods
- Species: Fox and gray squirrels
- Daily Limit: 10
- Possession Limit: 20
Rabbit: October 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026
- Daily Limit: 6
- Possession Limit: 12
Bullfrog/Green Frog: June 30 – October 31, 2025
- Daily Limit: 8 (combined)
- Possession Limit: 16
- Note: Season opens at sunset on opening day

🦆 Migratory Birds & Waterfowl

Duck Seasons By Zone

North Zone: November 1 – December 30, 2025
Middle Zone: November 1 – 9, 2025 and November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
South Zone: November 27 – 30, 2025 and December 7, 2025 – January 31, 2026
Daily Limit: 6 ducks with species restrictions:
- Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
- Wood ducks: 3
- Scaup: 2 for first 45 days, 1 for last 15 days
- Hooded mergansers: 2

Youth Waterfowl Weekends

North & Middle Zones: October 25 – 26, 2025
South Zone: November 22 – 23, 2025
Requirements: Hunters must be 15 years or younger, accompanied by an adult

Goose Seasons

Early Canada Goose/Brant: October 4 – 12, 2025
- Daily Limit: 3
- Possession Limit: 9
Regular Goose Season: Varies by species and zone; generally runs November through January
- Light Geese: Daily limit 20, no possession limit
- Canada/Brant Geese: Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
- White-fronted Geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

Other Game Opportunities

Falconry Seasons:
- Dove: September 1 – December 16, 2025
- Ducks/Coots/Mergansers: February 11 – March 10, 2026
- Daily Limit: 3 birds (combined)
- Possession Limit: 9 birds (combined)

Hunting Tips for Missouri’s Diverse Regions

The Show-Me State offers incredible variety in its landscapes. From the rolling Ozark highlands to the fertile northern plains, each region presents unique wildlife opportunities. Here are some quick tips:

Northern Plains: Excellent for waterfowl along the Missouri River corridor and major reservoirs
Ozark Region: Prime deer and turkey habitat among hardwood forests and rocky terrain
Western Prairie: Great opportunities for upland birds and small game
Southeastern Lowlands: Top spots for waterfowl and deer in bottomland forests and wetlands

Remember that weather patterns across Missouri can vary dramatically from north to south. Early season hunts in the northern regions may feature cool temperatures, while southern areas might remain quite warm through October.

Missouri Hunting Zones and Public Lands 🗺️

Missouri is divided into various wildlife management zones that affect regulations for different game species. For up-to-date zone maps and boundaries, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.

The state offers over a million acres of public hunting land through:

Conservation Areas
National Forests
Corps of Engineers lands
Missouri Department of Natural Resources properties

License and Permit Information 🎟️

Resident Licenses

Resident Small Game Hunting Permit
Resident Archer’s Hunting Permit (for deer and turkey)
Resident Firearms Deer Hunting Permit
Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit
Resident Fall Turkey Hunting Permit
Resident Migratory Bird Hunting Permit

Nonresident Licenses

Nonresident Small Game Hunting Permit
Nonresident Archer’s Hunting Permit
Nonresident Firearms Deer Hunting Permit
Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit
Nonresident Fall Turkey Hunting Permit

Youth and Special Licenses

Youth Deer and Turkey Permits (ages 6-15)
Resident Landowner Permits (qualifying acres required)
Lifetime Hunting Permits
Apprentice Hunter Authorization (for those without hunter education)

Where to Purchase

Online through MDC website
Through the MO Hunting mobile app
At MDC offices statewide
From over 1,000 vendors throughout Missouri

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who needs hunter education in Missouri?

A: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1967, must complete an approved hunter education course to purchase firearms hunting permits, unless utilizing the Apprentice Hunter Authorization.

Q: Can I hunt on private land without permission?

A: No. You must obtain permission from landowners before hunting on private property. Trespassing is illegal and can result in criminal charges.

Q: Are there special regulations for hunting on public lands?

A: Yes. Many conservation areas have area-specific regulations. Always check the MDC website or area bulletin boards for specific rules before hunting.

Q: What are the requirements for tagging and reporting harvested game?

A: Electronic or phone check-in is required for deer and turkey. Some species like bobcat require physical tagging. Always review current regulations for specific requirements.

Q: Can I hunt at night in Missouri?

A: Night hunting is prohibited for most species. Limited exceptions exist for specific species like raccoons, coyotes during certain periods, and bullfrogs.

Explore Related Resources

Want to learn more about specific hunting opportunities? Check out these helpful links:

Deer Hunting Tips and Regulations
Illinois Hunting Seasons
Kansas Hunting Seasons
Arkansas Hunting Seasons

Ready for Your Missouri Hunting Adventure

Missouri’s diverse landscape offers incredible opportunities for hunters of all experience levels. From the Ozark forests to river bottoms and open plains, each region provides unique experiences throughout the various hunting seasons.

Remember that regulations can change, and this guide serves as a general overview. Always verify current dates, zones, and specific rules through the Missouri Department of Conservation before heading afield.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to plan your hunting adventures in the Show-Me State, it’s time to prepare your gear, scout your locations, and make the most of Missouri’s abundant wildlife resources. Happy hunting!

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