Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt?

Planning a successful hunt—whether for black bears or any other game—starts with knowing the season dates. Understanding when hunting seasons open and close is essential for making the most of your time in the field.

To help you get started, we’ve gathered the latest hunting information for Missouri. Just remember, regulations and dates can change from year to year—and sometimes even mid-season.

As you plan your hunts, always check Missouri’s official hunting websites for the most current details.

Some season dates have already been updated for the 2025–2026 hunting seasons.

Deer

Be aware that Missouri is managing CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) in 38 counties. Before your hunt, confirm testing requirements for the zones you plan to hunt.

• Archery: September 15 – November 14, 2025 and November 26 – January 15, 2026
• Firearms:
  • Antlerless: October 10 – 12, 2025 and December 6 – 14, 2025
  • Youth: November 1 – 2, 2025 and November 28 – 30, 2025
  • November Portion: November 15 – 25, 2025
  • CWD Portion: November 26 – 30, 2025
  • Alternative Methods: December 27, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Elk

• Archery: October 18 – 26, 2025
• Firearms: December 13 – 22, 2025

Turkey

• Spring:
  • Season: April 21 – May 11, 2025
  • Youth (Ages 6 – 15): April 12 – 13, 2025

• Fall:
  • Archery: September 15 – November 14, 2025 and November 26 – January 15, 2026
  • Firearms: October 1 – 31, 2025

Bear

Because bears are becoming more common across the state, Missouri’s Conservation Department allows a highly regulated harvest.

• October 18 – 31, 2025

Waterfowl

• Ducks, Coots, Mergansers:
  • Youth (Middle Zone): October 25 – 26, 2025
  • Youth (North Zone): October 25 – 26, 2025
  • Youth (South Zone): November 22 – 23, 2025
  • Regular (Middle Zone): November 1 – 9, 2025 and November 15, 2025 – January 4 2026
  • Regular (North Zone): November 1 – December 30, 2025
  • Regular (South Zone): November 27 – 30, 2025 and December 7, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Falconry: February 11 – March 10, 2026
    
• Early Canada Goose and Brant: October 4 – 12, 2025
  
• Light Geese:
  • Season: November 11 – February 6, 2025
  • Conservation Order: February 7, 2026 – April 30, 2026
    
• Canada Goose, Brant, Snow, Greater White-Fronted Geese:November 11, 2025 – February 6, 2026
  
• Teal: September 13 – 21, 2025

Game Birds

• Pheasant:
  • Regular: November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
  • Youth: October 25 – 26, 2025
    
• Quail:
  • Regular: November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
  • Youth: October 25 – 26, 2025
    
• Sora and Virginia Rail: September 1 – November 9, 2025
  
• Wilson’s Snipe: September 1 – December 16, 2025
  
• Woodcock: October 18 – December 1, 2025
  
• Dove: September 1 – November 29, 2025

Small Game

• Rabbit:
  • Hunting: October 1 – February 15, 2025 and October 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026
  • Trapping: November 15 – January 31, 2025
    
• Squirrels: May 24, 2025 – February 15, 2026

Coyote:

• Hunting: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
• Trapping: November 15, 2024 – February 28, 2025 and November 15, 2025 – February 28, 2026