Missouri Hunting Dates 2026-2027 – Season Forecast & Tag Info
If you’ve ever tried to piece together the Show-Me State’s game calendar from half a dozen tabs, a PDF, and one rapidly cooling cup of coffee, yeah… same. This guide pulls the big stuff into one beginner-friendly place: deer dates, turkey windows, waterfowl zones, small-game opportunities, permit basics, and where public access planning matters most. I also worked from the state’s official calendar so the dates below match the current 2026–2027 framework as published by the agency.
Overview on Missouri Hunting Season 2026–2027
The headline news for 2026–2027 is pretty straightforward, but a few updates really matter. Deer and turkey dates are already set, the duck-zone boundary formula changed for the 2026–2030 cycle, nonresidents now need a new migratory bird permit for the 2026–2027 bird calendar, and spring turkey rules now cap most nonresident hunters at one bearded bird. For deer folks, CWD remains a major management issue, which means certain counties continue to carry extra rules on carcass movement, feed/mineral use, and sampling. For waterfowlers, this is one of those years where checking your exact zone before opening day is not “nice to do” — it’s essential.
If you want to learn more about specific hunting opportunities? Check out state-by-state hunting calendar.
Quick-Glance Table: Key Species, Dates & Methods
| Species | 2026–2027 Dates | Primary Methods |
|---|---|---|
| Deer – Archery | Sept. 15–Nov. 13, 2026; Nov. 25, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027 | Bows/crossbows |
| Deer – November Firearms | Nov. 14–24, 2026 | Firearms |
| Deer – Youth Firearms | Oct. 24–25, 2026; Nov. 27–29, 2026 | Firearms |
| Deer – Antlerless Firearms | Oct. 9–11, 2026; Dec. 5–13, 2026 (open counties) | Firearms |
| Deer – Alternative Methods | Dec. 26, 2026–Jan. 5, 2027 | Muzzleloader/air gun/archery legal alternatives |
| Turkey – Spring Youth | Apr. 11–12, 2026 | Shotgun/archery legal turkey methods |
| Turkey – Spring Regular | Apr. 20–May 10, 2026 | Shotgun/archery legal turkey methods |
| Turkey – Fall Archery | Sept. 15–Nov. 13, 2026; Nov. 25, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027 | Archery |
| Turkey – Fall Firearms | Oct. 1–31, 2026 (open counties) | Firearms |
| Bear | Oct. 17–30, 2026 | Limited draw, BMZ-specific permit |
| Elk – Archery | Oct. 17–25, 2026 | Archery |
| Elk – Firearms | Dec. 12–20, 2026 | Firearms |
| Quail | Nov. 1, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027 | Shotgun |
| Pheasant | Nov. 1, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027 | Shotgun |
| Rabbit | Oct. 1, 2026–Feb. 15, 2027 | Small-game methods |
| Squirrel | May 23, 2026–Feb. 15, 2027 | Rimfire, shotgun, archery, other legal methods |
| Dove | Sept. 1–Nov. 29, 2026 | Shotgun |
| Ducks/Coots – North Zone | Oct. 31–Dec. 29, 2026 | Shotgun with nontoxic shot |
| Ducks/Coots – Middle Zone | Nov. 7–Dec. 13, 2026; Dec. 19, 2026–Jan. 10, 2027 | Shotgun with nontoxic shot |
| Ducks/Coots – South Zone | Nov. 26–29, 2026; Dec. 7, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027 | Shotgun with nontoxic shot |
| Geese | Varies by species; see waterfowl table below | Shotgun with nontoxic shot |
🦌 All Big Games: Archery & Rifle
Deer
For most hunters here, whitetails are still the center of the calendar. Archery opens Sept. 15 and runs through Nov. 13, then picks back up Nov. 25 through Jan. 15. Firearms portions break out into several chunks: early antlerless Oct. 9–11 in open counties, youth Oct. 24–25, the main November portion Nov. 14–24, late youth Nov. 27–29, late antlerless Dec. 5–13 in open counties, and alternative methods Dec. 26–Jan. 5.
A few rules beginners should actually remember, not just skim: you may take only two antlered deer total across the archery and firearms portions combined, and only one antlered buck may be taken before the main November firearms opener. If you’re in a CWD Management Zone county, expect extra rules on feed, minerals, carcass movement, and sampling. Missouri also wants deer Telechecked promptly, and in CWD counties you should be especially careful about moving a carcass before you’ve followed the state rules.
Bear
Black bear opportunity remains tightly controlled — and that’s the key phrase. This is not a “buy a tag and go whenever” setup. The 2026 bear window runs Oct. 17–30, but access is by limited draw and the permit is valid only in the Black Bear Management Zone listed on it. Only resident hunters age 11 and older are eligible to buy the permit after being drawn. The state divides the bear range into BMZ 1, BMZ 2, and BMZ 3, all south of the Missouri River.
The practical part: bear hunters must call the quota hotline each day before going afield. If the harvest threshold is reached — or gets close enough — the department can close that zone fast. Also, only lone bears may be taken. A sow with cubs or a bear traveling with other bears is off-limits.
Elk
Elk are still a bucket-list draw for a lot of folks, and literally a draw in the permit sense too. The 2026 archery elk window is Oct. 17–25, and the firearms portion is Dec. 12–20. Permits are distributed by random drawing, and only residents 11 and older are eligible. The core elk country remains in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, so this is a highly localized opportunity rather than a statewide roam-and-hope affair.
One little beginner note that saves confusion: elk and deer rules don’t simply mirror each other. Orange requirements, area closures, and method restrictions deserve a second look before you pack up and head toward the Ozarks.
🦃 Turkey Dates: Spring, Fall & Youth
- Spring youth portion: Apr. 11–12, 2026
- Regular spring portion: Apr. 20–May 10, 2026
- Fall archery portion: Sept. 15–Nov. 13, 2026, and Nov. 25, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027
- Fall firearms portion: Oct. 1–31, 2026 in open counties
- Spring bag rule: only one bird may be taken during the first week; if unfilled, the second bird comes later in the run, but not both on the same day
- Nonresident update: most nonresident hunters are limited to one bearded turkey in spring; nonresident landowners still retain the two-bird harvest rule, with only one allowed during the first seven days
- Fall bag limit: two birds of either sex for the fall archery and fall firearms portions combined
If you’re brand new, spring is the easier one to understand. Fall is where county status and method rules start to matter more.
🦝 Furbearers Season
- Badger: Nov. 15, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027
- Bobcat: Nov. 15, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027
- Beaver & nutria (trapping): Nov. 15, 2026–Mar. 31, 2027
- Coyote: open year-round for taking by legal methods; trapping runs Nov. 15, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027, with a private-land extension into spring
- Fox (red or gray): Nov. 15, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027
- Raccoon: Aug. 1–Oct. 15, 2026, and Nov. 15, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027
- Opossum: Aug. 1–Oct. 15, 2026, and Nov. 15, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027
- Mink: Nov. 15, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027
- Otter & muskrat (trapping): Nov. 15, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027
A very Missouri-specific wrinkle: artificial lights are allowed for raccoons when they’re treed with dogs, and coyotes have their own night-vision/thermal allowances during specific parts of the year. That does not mean lights are fair game for deer or turkey. Big difference.
🐦 Upland Birds Season
| Species | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Quail – Youth | Oct. 24–25, 2026 | Youth weekend |
| Quail – Regular | Nov. 1, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027 | Daily limit 8, possession 16 |
| Pheasant – Youth | Oct. 24–25, 2026 | Youths 6–15 |
| Pheasant – Regular | Nov. 1, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027 | Male birds only; daily 2, possession 4 |
| Woodcock | Oct. 18–Dec. 1, 2026 | Daily 3, possession 9 |
For a lot of beginners, pheasant and bobwhite are the most “friendly” way into upland bird culture because the rules are easier to follow than waterfowl regs. Just remember that pheasant rules are male-only, and quail limits are higher than many first-timers expect.
🐇 Upland Animals Season
| Species | Dates | Limits/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Squirrel | May 23, 2026–Feb. 15, 2027 | Daily 10, possession 20 |
| Rabbit | Oct. 1, 2026–Feb. 15, 2027 | Daily 6, possession 12; only 2/4 may be swamp rabbits |
| Groundhog | May 11–Dec. 15, 2026 | Good long-window option |
Honestly, squirrel is one of the best entry points in the state. Long window, simple gear, lower pressure, and plenty of room to learn woods movement without the all-or-nothing vibe of a major opener.
🎯 Other Small Games Season
| Species | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dove | Sept. 1–Nov. 29, 2026 | Daily 15, possession 45 combined with Eurasian collared and white-winged doves |
| Crow | Nov. 1, 2026–Mar. 3, 2027 | No daily or possession cap |
| Bullfrog & Green Frog | Jun. 30–Oct. 31, 2026 | Opens at sunset on opening day; daily 8 combined |
| Rabbit (trapping) | Nov. 15, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027 | Cage-trap rules apply |
| Raccoon/Opossum early window | Aug. 1–Oct. 15, 2026 | Handy before heavier fall traffic |
🛫 Migratory Birds Season
| Species | Dates | Daily / Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Dove | Sept. 1–Nov. 29, 2026 | 15 / 45 |
| Sora & Virginia rails | Sept. 1–Nov. 9, 2026 | 25 / 75 combined |
| Wilson’s snipe | Sept. 1–Dec. 16, 2026 | 8 / 24 |
| American woodcock | Oct. 18–Dec. 1, 2026 | 3 / 9 |
| Coots | Same dates as ducks in each zone | 15 / 45 |
One thing nonresidents should circle in red ink: beginning with the 2026–2027 migratory-bird calendar, a new nonresident migratory bird permit is required, and MDC announced that permit at $60.
🦆 Ducks, Scaup, Mergansers & Geese
| Category | Dates | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Teal | Sept. 12–20, 2026 | Daily 6, possession 18 |
| Ducks/Coots – North Zone | Oct. 31–Dec. 29, 2026 | Continuous run |
| Ducks/Coots – Middle Zone | Nov. 7–Dec. 13, 2026; Dec. 19, 2026–Jan. 10, 2027 | Split format |
| Ducks/Coots – South Zone | Nov. 26–29, 2026; Dec. 7, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027 | Thanksgiving opener, then reopen Dec. 7 |
| Duck bag limit | During regular duck dates | 6 ducks daily with species restrictions |
| Scaup rule | During duck dates | 2 daily for first 45 days, 1 daily for last 15 days |
| Snow, Blue & Ross’s geese | Nov. 11, 2026–Feb. 6, 2027 | Daily 20, no possession cap |
| White-fronted geese | Nov. 11, 2026–Feb. 6, 2027 | Daily 2, possession 6 |
| Canada geese & brant | Oct. 3–10, 2026; Nov. 11, 2026–Feb. 6, 2027 | Daily 3 aggregate, possession 9 |
Mergansers track the regular duck framework, so if you’re set up for duck dates in your zone, you’re looking at the right calendar family. Also worth noting: nontoxic shot is required for waterfowl and coots statewide.
🌊 Other Waterfowls Season
- Youth waterfowl days
- North Zone: Oct. 24–25, 2026
- Middle Zone: Oct. 31–Nov. 1, 2026
- South Zone: Nov. 21–22, 2026
- Falconry for doves: Nov. 30–Dec. 16, 2026
- Falconry for ducks, coots, and mergansers: open during teal, youth, and regular duck dates, plus Feb. 11–Mar. 10, 2027
- Light Goose Conservation Order: Feb. 7–Apr. 30, 2027
- No daily or possession limit
- Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns are allowed
- Duck stamp update: hunters 16 and older may use the digital duck stamp; the e-stamp runs $32, while the physical paper stamp remains $25
📌 More Games Season
- Crow: Nov. 1, 2026–Mar. 3, 2027
- Groundhog: May 11–Dec. 15, 2026
- Bullfrog/Green Frog: Jun. 30–Oct. 31, 2026
- Coyote: open all year by legal methods
- Jackrabbits: protected; not open for take
🗺️ Game Units & Public Access
This state doesn’t run on one single all-purpose “unit” system the way some western states do. Instead, you need to pay attention to the boundary set that matches your quarry: duck zones, black bear management zones, elk range counties, open antlerless counties, and CWD counties. For waterfowl, check the official duck-zone map before opening day because the 2026–2030 boundary formula changed.
For access, public opportunity is a mix of conservation areas and MRAP tracts. That matters because a lot of the state is private ground, so showing up with “I’ll just find a field” energy is not a winning plan. MRAP properties can be all-access, youth-only, archery-only, or small-game-and-turkey only, so always match the property type to your permit and target species.
🎟️ License Details
Here’s the simple version:
- Resident options: small game permits, deer archery permits, firearms deer permits, spring turkey permits, fall turkey permits, plus landowner versions where eligible
- Youth options: resident and nonresident youth ages 6–15 can buy reduced-price deer and turkey permits; youths 15 and under do not need migratory-bird or waterfowl permits on youth waterfowl days if they meet supervision rules
- Nonresident options: annual small game, deer archery, firearms deer, turkey permits, and the new migratory bird permit for 2026–2027
- Short-term option: nonresident daily small game permit is the main short-stay pick
- Add-ons: Missouri migratory bird permit, Federal Duck Stamp for waterfowlers age 16+, and Conservation Order permit for light geese
- Apprentice path: adults 16+ without hunter education can use an Apprentice Hunting Authorization when accompanied by a properly licensed mentor
- Big-game draws: elk and bear are limited-draw opportunities, not over-the-counter freebies
My honest advice? Before you buy anything, decide your target first. In this state, permit stacking is where beginners get tripped up — especially when birds are involved.
FAQ
Do I need to Telecheck game here?
Yes — deer, turkey, bear, and elk all require proper checking and labeling. Don’t toss an animal in the cooler and drive three counties over first.
Can I hunt public land?
Absolutely, but check area-specific rules. Some conservation areas are archery-only, some limit firearms, some are youth-only on certain dates, and MRAP tracts can have their own access style.
Is night hunting allowed?
Only for certain species and under specific rules. Coyotes and raccoons have special allowances; deer and turkey do not.
Do I need a duck stamp for waterfowl?
If you’re 16 or older, yes — along with the required Missouri bird permit setup.
Can nonresidents still chase spring gobblers?
Yes, but the big change is the limit: most nonresident hunters are now capped at one bearded bird in spring.
Are bait piles okay for deer?
Not in CWD Management Zone counties. Feed, salt, and minerals aimed at attracting deer are restricted there year-round.
Prepare for Your Missouri Hunt
Here’s the best state-specific advice I can give after sorting through these rules: build your plan backward from the regulation quirks, not forward from the species list. If you’re headed to a duck opener, confirm your zone first because the north, middle, and south splits do not line up the same way and 2026 uses the new boundary structure. If your fall revolves around deer, check whether your county sits in the CWD Management Zone before you move a carcass, dump bones, or set out minerals. If you somehow drew a bear tag — congrats, that’s a big deal — call the quota line every single day, no exceptions. And if you’re a nonresident bird hunter, don’t forget that the new migratory permit changes the math for your trip. In other words: in Missouri, success is often less about fancy gear and more about being the person who actually read the fine print before sunrise.
