Missouri 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Missouri's listed 2026-27 archery deer season runs Sep 15, 2026-Jan 15, 2027.
Regular Ducks and Coots opens Nov 7, 2026 and closes Dec 13, 2026.
Hunting Coyote opens Jan 1, 2026 and closes Dec 31, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Missouri MDC.
- archery deer
- Sep 15, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
- waterfowl
- Nov 7-Dec 13, 2026
- coyote
- Jan 1-Dec 31, 2026
Free Missouri wallpaper
Missouri 2026-27
Save to Photos → set as your lock screen. See all 50 states →
Get Missouri’s dates + next season’s wallpaper in your inbox
Key seasons by species
What changed for 2026-27
Check method and portion names carefully
Missouri's deer calendar is split into portions, and the name of the portion matters. Archery, firearms, alternative methods, and antlerless windows can overlap in ways that are easy to misread.
Use this page to find the broad window, then confirm county rules and permit requirements with Missouri Department of Conservation.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Missouri MDC before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Missouri
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 3 stations in Missouri. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 15, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
Season split: September 15–November 13, 2026 and November 25, 2026–January 15, 2027. Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 15-Nov 13, 2026
Season is split into two segments. This is the first segment. Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
White-tailed Deer
Firearms Antlerless - Early Portion
Oct 9-11, 2026
Only select counties are open to firearms hunting during the antlerless portions. See antlerless regulations. Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Zone: Select counties only
White-tailed Deer
Firearms - November Portion
Nov 14-24, 2026
If you harvest a deer opening weekend, you must take your deer to a mandatory CWD sampling station. Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Resident and nonresident youths ages 6-15 eligible for half-priced permits. Valid permits: Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit, Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit.
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Nov 25, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
Season is split into two segments. This is the second segment. Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
White-tailed Deer
Firearms Antlerless - Late Portion
Dec 5-13, 2026
Only select counties are open to firearms hunting during the antlerless portions. See antlerless regulations. Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Zone: Select counties only
White-tailed Deer
Alternative Methods Firearms
Dec 26, 2026-Jan 5, 2027
Allowed methods include muzzleloading/cap-and-ball firearms (.40 cal+), centerfire pistols/revolvers with expanding bullets, air-powered firearms (.40 cal+), longbows, compound bows, recurve bows, crossbows, and atlatls. Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Resident or nonresident youth age 6-15 eligible for half-priced permits.
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Archery - Fall
Nov 26, 2025-Jan 15, 2026
Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Requires Fall Turkey Hunting Permit.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Youth (ages 6-15)
Apr 11-12, 2026
Youth hunters who are age 6-15 on opening day may hunt. Youth may also hunt during the regular Spring Turkey season. Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Wild Turkey
Spring
Apr 20-May 10, 2026
Hours: Half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. CDT on public lands; half hour before sunrise to sunset on private lands. You may not take two turkeys on the same day.
Wild Turkey
Archery - Fall
Sep 15-Nov 13, 2026
Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Requires Fall Turkey Hunting Permit.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Firearms
Oct 1-31, 2026
Fall firearms turkey hunting is not permitted in Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, and Scott counties. Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Valid permit: Fall Turkey Hunting Permit.
Zone: Statewide except Dunklin, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, and Scott counties
Wild Turkey
Archery - Fall
Nov 25, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Requires Fall Turkey Hunting Permit.
Zone: Statewide
Bear
Black Bear
General
Oct 17-30, 2026
Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Must call 800-668-4045 to check daily quota/closure status. Season may close early if harvest quota is met. Only lone black bears may be harvested.
Waterfowl
Canada Goose and Brant
Early Season
Oct 3-11, 2026
Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Requires Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp. Nontoxic shot required. No electronic calls, no bait, no live decoys.
Ducks and Coots
General
Oct 31-Dec 29, 2026
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the zone boundary map for areas in the north zone. Three permits required: Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Federal Duck Stamp.
Zone: North Zone
Ducks and Coots
Regular
Nov 7-Dec 13, 2026
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Two separate season segments. See zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone. Requires Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp.
Zone: Middle Zone
Ducks and Coots
Regular Season
Nov 26-29, 2026
Two separate segments: Nov 26-29, 2026 and Dec 7, 2026 - Jan 31, 2027. Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Three permits required: Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Federal Duck Stamp.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks and Coots
Regular Season
Dec 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Second segment of the season. Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Three permits required: Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Federal Duck Stamp.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks and Coots
Regular
Dec 19, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Two separate season segments. See zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone. Requires Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp.
Zone: Middle Zone
Furbearer
Badger
Hunting and Trapping
Nov 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Special Provision for Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion and Antlerless portion in open counties, furbearer hunters must also possess an unfilled firearms deer hunting permit if hunting during daylight hours.
Beaver and Nutria
Trapping
Nov 15, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Permits valid until June 30. Also listed for November 15, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
Bobcat
Hunting and Trapping
Nov 15, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Bobcat pelts must be registered or tagged. Tagged bobcats and otters or their pelts may be possessed by the taker throughout the year.
Coyote
Coyote
Hunting
Jan 1-Dec 31, 2026
Coyotes may not be taken during daylight hours from April 1 through the day prior to the beginning of Spring Turkey Hunting season. Special method restrictions apply during spring turkey season, elk season, and deer season. Jan 1-Sept 30: artificial light, night vision, and thermal imagery equipment allowed.
Coyote
Trapping
Nov 15, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Extended trapping season on private land from March 1 to April 14. Only foot-hold traps, foot-enclosing traps, and cage-type traps may be used during extended season.
Other
Crow
Hunting
Nov 1, 2026-Mar 3, 2027
Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Special provision during firearms deer season: only pistols, revolvers, rifles, or shotguns firing .22 caliber or smaller rimfire cartridges or shot no larger than No. 4. Does not apply to landowners on their own land.
The Friday Hunting Briefing.
Gear deals worth grabbing, the week's hunting news, and field-tested picks — curated every Friday by a hunter, for hunters. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
🎯 While you wait for opening day
Practice in Hunting Homestead
Build a property, plant food plots, and take shots with real ballistics in our free browser game. No download — season's always open.
Missouri Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Missouri?
September 15, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Missouri; it is archery white-tailed deer Sep 15, 2026-Jan 15, 2027.
When is Missouri's firearm deer season?
Missouri does not have a firearm deer row in the current data set yet. Check Missouri MDC for firearm, rifle, or general deer season details.
When does spring turkey open in Missouri?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Missouri yet. Check Missouri MDC for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in Missouri?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Missouri hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Missouri MDC.
Explore more hunting seasons
Nearby states