Waterfowl Seasons

Last Updated: Winter 2023

Light Goose Conservation Order

• February 7, 2023 - April 30, 2023
• February 7, 2024 - April 30, 2024

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset

Notes

Hunting is limited to snow geese, blue geese, and Ross's geese.

Limits

None

Valid Permits

Hunters with a Resident Lifetime Conservation Partner Permit or a Resident Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit do not need to purchase a Conservation Order Permit.

A Missouri Small Game Hunting Permit, Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp are not required during the Light Goose Conservation Order.

Conservation Order Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Conservation Order: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. During the Conservation Order, you may use shotguns that are capable of holding more than three shells.
• Nontoxic shot is required.
• Electronic calls or electronically-activated calls
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Conservation Order: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle.
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Teal: Hunting

• September 9, 2023 - September 24, 2023

Hours

Sunrise to sunset

Notes

You may hunt blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and cinnamon teal.

Northern shoveler, northern pintail, and wood ducks have similarly colored plumage but are illegal to hunt during this season.

Limits

Daily bag limit: 6

Possession limit: 18

Limits are a combined total of all teal species.

Valid Permits

Three permits are required.

1. Small Game Hunting Permit
2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
3. Federal Duck Stamp

Federal Duck Stamp, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit, Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit, Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only), Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only), Military Reduced Cost Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Brant Geese: Hunting

• October 7, 2023 - October 15, 2023
• November 11, 2023 - February 6, 2024

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Limits

Daily limit: 3
Possession limit: 9

Daily and possession limits are brant and Canada geese combined.

Valid Permits

Three permits are required.

1. Small Game Hunting Permit
2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
3. Federal Duck Stamp

Federal Duck Stamp, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit, Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit, Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only), Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only), Military Reduced Cost Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Ducks, Coots, and Geese Hunting: Youth: Middle Zone

• October 21, 2023 - October 22, 2023

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone.

Youth hunters must be age 15 or younger and accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older who is not allowed to hunt ducks but who can participate in other open seasons.

Limits

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 hens)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
​Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Geese
Light geese: Daily limit 20, no possession limit
Canada/brant geese (combined): Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
White-fronted geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

Valid Permits

Youth do not need a permit to hunt.

Youth must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. If the youth is not hunter-education certified, the adult must (1) be hunter-education certified unless they were born before Jan. 1, 1967 and (2) possess a permit to hunt small game or be exempt..

Note: Adult hunters assisting youths during the regular waterfowl seasons must have a permit to hunt small game, a Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and a Federal Duck Stamp.

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Ducks, Coots, and Geese Hunting: Youth: North Zone

• October 21, 2023 - October 22, 2023

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the north zone.

Youth hunters must be age 15 or younger and accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older who is not allowed to hunt ducks but who can participate in other open seasons.

Limits

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Geese
Light geese: Daily limit 20, no possession limit
Canada/brant geese (combined): Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
White-fronted geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

Valid Permits

Youth do not need a permit to hunt.

Youth must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. If the youth is not hunter-education certified, the adult must (1) be hunter-education certified unless they were born before Jan. 1, 1967 and (2) possess a permit to hunt small game or be exempt..

Note: Adult hunters assisting youths during the regular waterfowl seasons must have a permit to hunt small game, a Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and a Federal Duck Stamp.

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Ducks and Coots Hunting: North Zone

• October 28, 2023 - December 26, 2023

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the north zone.

Limits

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
​Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Valid Permits

Three permits are required.

1. Small Game Hunting Permit
2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
3. Federal Duck Stamp

Federal Duck Stamp, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit, Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit, Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only), Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only), Military Reduced Cost Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Ducks and Coots Hunting: Middle Zone

• November 4, 2023 - November 12, 2023
• November 18, 2023 - January 7, 2024

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone.

Limits

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
​Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Valid Permits

Three permits are required.

1. Small Game Hunting Permit
2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
3. Federal Duck Stamp

Federal Duck Stamp, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit, Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit, Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only), Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only), Military Reduced Cost Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Brant Geese: Hunting

• October 7, 2023 - October 15, 2023
• November 11, 2023 - February 6, 2024

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Limits

Daily limit: 3
Possession limit: 9

Daily and possession limits are brant and Canada geese combined.

Valid Permits

Three permits are required.

1. Small Game Hunting Permit
2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
3. Federal Duck Stamp

Federal Duck Stamp, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit, Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit, Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only), Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only), Military Reduced Cost Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Greater White-Fronted Geese: Hunting

• November 11, 2023 - February 6, 2024

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Limits

Daily limit: 2
Possession limit: 6

Valid Permits

Three permits are required.

1. Small Game Hunting Permit
2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
3. Federal Duck Stamp

Federal Duck Stamp, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit, Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit, Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only), Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only), Military Reduced Cost Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Light Geese Hunting

• November 11, 2023 - February 6, 2024

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

Hunting is limited to snow geese white and blue phases), and Ross's geese.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
No possession limit.

Valid Permits

Three permits are required.

1. Small Game Hunting Permit
2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
3. Federal Duck Stamp

Federal Duck Stamp, Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit, Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit, Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only), Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only), Military Reduced Cost Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Ducks and Coots Hunting: Middle Zone

• November 4, 2023 - November 12, 2023
• November 18, 2023 - January 7, 2024

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the middle zone.

Limits

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
​Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Valid Permits

Three permits are required.

1. Small Game Hunting Permit
2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
3. Federal Duck Stamp

Federal Duck Stamp, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit, Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit, Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only), Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only), Military Reduced Cost Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Ducks, Coots, and Geese Hunting: Youth: South Zone

• November 18, 2023 - November 19, 2023

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the south zone.

Youth hunters must be age 15 or younger and accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older who is not allowed to hunt ducks but who can participate in other open seasons.

Limits

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
​Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Geese
Light geese: Daily limit 20, no possession limit
Canada/brant geese (combined): Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
White-fronted geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

Valid Permits

Youth do not need a permit to hunt.

Youth must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. If the youth is not hunter-education certified, the adult must (1) be hunter-education certified unless they were born before Jan. 1, 1967 and (2) possess a permit to hunt small game.

Note: Adult hunters assisting youths during the regular waterfowl seasons must have a permit to hunt small game, a Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and a Federal Duck Stamp.

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Ducks and Coots Hunting: South Zone

• November 23, 2023 - November 26, 2023
• December 7, 2023 - January 31, 2024

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the south zone.

Limits

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
​Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Light geese: Daily limit 20, no possession limit
Canada/brant geese (combined): Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
White-fronted geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

Valid Permits

Three permits are required.

1. Small Game Hunting Permit
2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
3. Federal Duck Stamp

Federal Duck Stamp, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit, Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit, Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only), Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only), Military Reduced Cost Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Ducks and Coots Hunting: South Zone

• November 23, 2023 - November 26, 2023
• December 7, 2023 - January 31, 2024

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Notes

See the zone boundary map for areas in the south zone.

Limits

Ducks: Daily limit of 6 with species restrictions below, possession limit of 18
Mallards: 4 (no more than 2 females)
Scaup: 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Wood ducks: 3
Hooded mergansers: 2
Redheads: 2
Canvasback: 2
Black duck: 2
Mottled duck: 1
​Pintails: 1

Limit of 6 per species: American wigeon, blue-winged teal, gadwall, green-winged teal, Northern shoveler, ring-necked duck

Coots: Daily limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

Light geese: Daily limit 20, no possession limit
Canada/brant geese (combined): Daily limit 3, possession limit 9
White-fronted geese: Daily limit 2, possession limit 6

Valid Permits

Three permits are required.

1. Small Game Hunting Permit
2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
3. Federal Duck Stamp

Federal Duck Stamp, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting Permit, Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit, Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit, Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only), Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only), Military Reduced Cost Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Hunting: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Use nontoxic shot only.
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Electronic calls or electronically activated calls
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Light Goose Conservation Order

• February 7, 2023 - April 30, 2023
• February 7, 2024 - April 30, 2024

Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset

Notes

Hunting is limited to snow geese, blue geese, and Ross's geese.

Limits

None

Valid Permits

Hunters with a Resident Lifetime Conservation Partner Permit or a Resident Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit do not need to purchase a Conservation Order Permit.

A Missouri Small Game Hunting Permit, Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp are not required during the Light Goose Conservation Order.

Conservation Order Permit

Allowed & Prohibited Methods

Waterfowl: Conservation Order: Allowed Methods

• Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. During the Conservation Order, you may use shotguns that are capable of holding more than three shells.
• Nontoxic shot is required.
• Electronic calls or electronically-activated calls
• Hunting dogs
• Motor boats or sailboats may be used, but only if the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and the boat’s progress therefrom has stopped.

Waterfowl: Conservation Order: Prohibited Methods

• Lead shot or other shot that has not been listed as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Rifles and pistols
• Firearms that propel a single projectile at one discharge
• Punt guns, battery guns, swivel guns, fully automatic firearms, traps, snares, nets, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, and stupefying substances
• Motor vehicles or aircraft. Paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle.
• Sink boxes or any other type of low-floating device that conceals the hunter beneath the surface of the water
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game
• Night vision or thermal imagery equipment
• Live decoys
• Bait

Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers: Falconry

• February 11, 2024 - March 10, 2024

Hours

Sunrise to sunset during the September teal season, one-half hour before sunrise to sunset during the remaining seasons.

Notes

Season is also open during the regular duck-hunting seasons, including teal and youth waterfowl seasons.

Limits

Daily limit: 3 birds, combined total of doves, ducks, and coots.
Possession limit: 9 birds, combined total of doves, ducks, and coots.

Valid Permits

For a complete listing of permits and regulations, see Rule 3 CSR 10-9.442 in the Wildlife Code of Missouri.