Missouri 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Missouri's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 14-24, 2026.
Archery deer season runs Sep 15-Nov 13, 2026, and Nov 25, 2026-Jan 15, 2027.
Duck season opens between October 31, 2026 and November 26, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 31, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Missouri MDC.
- firearm deer
- Nov 14-24, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 15-Nov 13, 2026 and Nov 25, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
- duck
- opens Oct 31-Nov 26, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Missouri's seasons
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.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Missouri
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 3 stations in Missouri. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Only one antlered deer may be taken during archery deer season before Nov. 14.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearms: November Portion
Deer harvested opening weekend must be taken to a mandatory CWD sampling station.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearms: Youth Portions
Ages 6-15 on opening day of the early youth portion.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearms: Antlerless Portions
Only antlerless deer may be harvested. Only select counties are open.
Zone: Select counties only
White-tailed Deer
Firearms: Alternative Methods
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearms: Antlerless Portions
Only antlerless deer may be harvested. Only select counties are open.
Zone: Select counties only
White-tailed Deer
Firearms: Youth Portions
Ages 6-15 on opening day of the early youth portion.
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Archery
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Valid permit: Fall Turkey Hunting Permit.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Archery
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Valid permit: Fall Turkey Hunting Permit.
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Spring Youth
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. Valid permit: Spring Turkey Hunting Permit.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring
Hours: Half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. Central Daylight Time on public lands and from 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset on private lands. Valid permit: Spring Turkey Hunting Permit. This is NOT a legal document. Regulations are subject to revision during the current year.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Firearms
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 Permits: Fall Turkey Hunting Permit. Allowed methods: Shotguns (including .410) with shot not larger than No. 4; Longbows, compound bows, or recurve bows of any draw weight; Crossbows; Atlatls; Hand-held string-release devices; Illuminated sights, scopes and quickpoint sights. Prohibited methods: Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells in magazine and chamber combined; Shot larger than No. 4 (in use or possession); Rifles, pistols, and other firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge; Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game; Night vision / thermal imagery equipment; Use of electronic calls, electronically activated calls, live decoys, bait, or dogs. Anyone hunting turkeys during the fall firearms turkey season may not be in possession of both a firearm and a bow. Some exceptions apply. See 3 CSR 10-7.455 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
Zone: Statewide
Bear
Black Bear
Season
You are required to call 800-668-4045 to determine the daily season quota/closure status prior to hunting each day. If the harvest has reached or exceeded 80 percent of the harvest quota, the director may close hunting within that Black Bear Management Zone on the following day. Once the harvest quota is met or the Director closes the season for the BMZ in which you are hunting, the season is over. Black bears that have taken refuge in a den may not be harvested or harassed. Only lone black bears may be harvested. You may not harvest a bear that is with one or more other bears, including female bears with cubs.
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Elk
Archery
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Those selected to receive a permit may take one elk. Antlered Elk Hunting permits can be used during both the archery and firearms portions of the elk hunting season.
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
16 listed rowsDucks and Coots
Hunting
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the zone boundary map for areas in the north zone.
Zone: North Zone
Ducks and Coots
Regular
See the zone boundary map for areas in the north zone. Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Three permits required: Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Federal Duck Stamp.
Zone: North Zone
Ducks and Coots
Regular
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Three permits required: Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Federal Duck Stamp. See the zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone.
Zone: Middle Zone
Ducks and Coots
Hunting
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone.
Zone: Middle Zone
Ducks, Coots, and Geese
Youth Hunting
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Any person 15 years of age or younger may participate without permit provided they are in the immediate presence of an adult 18 years of age or older. If the youth hunter is not certified in hunter education, the adult must have the required permits and proof of hunter education unless exempt. The adult may not hunt ducks but may participate in other seasons that are open on youth hunting days.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks and Coots
Regular
Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the zone boundary map for areas in the south zone. Three permits required: Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Federal Duck Stamp.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks and Coots
Hunting
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the zone boundary map for areas in the south zone.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks and Coots
Hunting
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the zone boundary map for areas in the south zone.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks and Coots
Regular
Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the zone boundary map for areas in the south zone. Three permits required: Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Federal Duck Stamp.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks and Coots
Regular
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Three permits required: Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Federal Duck Stamp. See the zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone.
Zone: Middle Zone
Ducks and Coots
Hunting
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. See the zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone.
Zone: Middle Zone
Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers
Falconry
Season is also open during the regular duck-hunting seasons, including teal and youth waterfowl seasons. Hours: Sunrise to sunset during the September teal season, one-half hour before sunrise to sunset during the remaining seasons.
Zone: Statewide
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Goose and BrantEarly Hunting · StatewideHours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Canada Goose, BrantEarly Canada Goose and Brant · StatewideHours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Three permits required: Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Federal Duck Stamp. Nontoxic shot only. Shotguns 10 gauge or smaller, must not hold more than 3 shells in magazine and chamber combined. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, and GeeseYouth Hunting · North ZoneHours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Any person 15 years of age or younger may participate without permit provided they are in the immediate presence of an adult 18 years of age or older. If the youth hunter is not certified in hunter education, the adult must have the required permits and proof of hunter education unless exempt. The adult may not hunt ducks but may participate in other seasons that are open on youth hunting days. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, and GeeseYouth Hunting · Middle ZoneHours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Any person 15 years of age or younger may participate without permit provided they are in the immediate presence of an adult 18 years of age or older. If the youth hunter is not certified in hunter education, the adult must have the required permits and proof of hunter education unless exempt. The adult may not hunt ducks but may participate in other seasons that are open on youth hunting days. | Closed |
Dove
Dove
Hunting
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Mourning Dove
Falconry
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Badger
Hunting and Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Beaver and Nutria
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat
Hunting and Trapping
Bobcat pelts must be registered or tagged. Tagged bobcats and otters or their pelts may be possessed by the taker throughout the year.
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
Common Snipe
Hunting
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
Hunting
Coyotes may not be taken during the daylight hours from April 1 through the day prior to the beginning of the Spring Turkey Hunting season. Coyotes may be taken by hunting, and pelts and carcasses may be possessed, transported, and sold in any numbers throughout the year. Special method restrictions apply during spring turkey season, elk season and deer season. See Allowed & Prohibited methods.
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Trapping
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.
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
Hunting
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Bullfrog and Green Frog
Hunting
Season opens at sunset on opening day. Check sunrise and sunset times in your area. Only the daily limit may be possessed on waters and banks of waters being fished or hunted.
Zone: Statewide
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Missouri Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Missouri?
Archery deer season runs Sep 15-Nov 13, 2026, and Nov 25, 2026-Jan 15, 2027. Firearm deer season runs Nov 14-24, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Missouri MDC.
When is Missouri's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Nov 14-24, 2026. Check zone and permit details with Missouri MDC before hunting.
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.
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