Missouri Deer Hunting Season: Dates, Regulations, and What You Need to Know

Missouri is one of the Midwest’s most productive whitetail states, with a season structure that gives you options no matter what weapon you prefer or how much time you can spend in the field. Deer hunting in neighboring Michigan follows a similar multi-season framework, but Missouri’s calendar — stretching from mid-September archery through early January — is among the longest in the region.

The 2025–2026 season brought meaningful regulatory changes: an expanded CWD Management Zone, revised carcass disposal rules, updated bag limits for youth hunters, and shifted antler-point restrictions in several counties. Knowing these updates before you head into the field keeps your hunt legal and helps protect Missouri’s deer herd for seasons to come.

Pro Tip: Always verify county-specific rules at mdc.mo.gov before your hunt. Regulations vary significantly by county, and some changes took effect mid-season for 2025–2026.

Missouri Deer Hunting Season Dates

Missouri structures its deer season into several distinct portions, each with its own dates, legal methods, and permit requirements. The deer hunting season in Missouri runs from mid-September 2025 through mid-January 2026. Here is a full breakdown of each portion for the 2025–2026 season:

Season Portion	Dates	Notes
Archery (statewide)	Sept. 15 – Nov. 14, 2025 & Nov. 26, 2025 – Jan. 15, 2026	Unlimited antlerless permits; valid in any county
Early Antlerless (Firearms)	Oct. 10–12, 2025	Select counties only
Early Youth (Firearms)	Nov. 1–2, 2025	Ages 6–15 only
November Portion (Firearms)	Nov. 15–25, 2025	Statewide; main antlered deer season
CWD Portion (Firearms)	Nov. 26–30, 2025	CWD Management Zone counties only
Late Youth (Firearms)	Nov. 28–30, 2025	Ages 6–15 only
Late Antlerless (Firearms)	Dec. 6–14, 2025	Select counties only
Alternative Methods	Dec. 27, 2025 – Jan. 6, 2026	Muzzleloaders, crossbows, certain pistols, atlatls

The November Portion runs statewide from Nov. 15–25, 2025, and is the main season for antlered deer. The CWD Portion runs Nov. 26–30, 2025, and is open only in CWD Management Zone counties.

Legal hunting hours run from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, with no exceptions. Plan your walks in and out accordingly, especially during the shorter days of late November and December.

Weapon-Specific Seasons in Missouri

Each season portion in Missouri is tied to specific legal methods. Using the wrong equipment for the season you are hunting is a violation, so it pays to know exactly what is allowed when.

Archery Season

Longbows, crossbows, compound bows, and recurve bows are all permitted at any draw weight during archery season. Crossbows are explicitly legal throughout all portions of the archery season and are a popular choice for hunters who want a longer effective range without transitioning to firearms. You need an Archer’s Hunting Permit to participate.

Firearms Season

Rifles, pistols, slug-loaded shotguns, muzzleloaders, air guns (.40 caliber and above), bows, and atlatls are permitted during firearms season. Semi-automatic rifles are legal as long as the firearm meets capacity requirements. Fully automatic guns, multi-projectile ammunition, bait, and dogs are not allowed.

Alternative Methods Season

The Alternative Methods Season runs Dec. 27, 2025 – Jan. 6, 2026, and allows muzzleloaders, certain pistols, air-powered firearms, bows, and atlatls. It is not a primitive weapons season in the traditional sense, as scopes and modern in-lines are permitted.

Important Note: Baiting is illegal statewide. An area is considered baited for 10 days after the bait is removed, so hunting near a previously baited site — even if you did not place the bait — can result in a violation.

Bag Limits and Antler Restrictions in Missouri

Missouri’s bag limits differ by permit type, season portion, and county. Understanding the layered system before you buy your permits prevents costly mistakes at the check station.

Antlered Deer Limits

• Only one antlered deer can be harvested across all firearms portions combined. In firearms and archery seasons combined, the maximum is two antlered deer total.
• Only one antlered deer may be taken during the entire firearms season (all portions combined). You may take only two antlered deer during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined.

Antlerless Deer Limits

• You can purchase unlimited archery antlerless permits, but firearms antlerless permits are restricted by county, ranging from one to four.
• Hunters in Buchanan, Clinton, Dade, DeKalb, Lawrence, and Texas counties may fill four firearms antlerless permits.
• Qualifying resident landowners in Andrew, Atchison, Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Holt, Iron, Mississippi, New Madrid, Nodaway, Pemiscot, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne counties are eligible for two Resident Landowner Firearms Antlerless Permits.

Antler Point Restrictions (APR)

Protected deer include all antlered deer — defined as having at least one antler three inches or longer — that do not have a minimum of at least four points on one side. Most counties in northern and central Missouri have these restrictions to protect younger bucks and improve herd quality.

The antler-point restriction has been lifted in Callaway, Daviess, Harrison, Henry, Marion, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, and Ralls counties as part of the 2025–2026 CWD Management Zone updates. If you are hunting in one of these counties, any antlered deer is a legal harvest.

Key Insight: Hunters who are 15 years or younger on Sept. 15 of the current year are exempt from the antler-point restriction during the archery deer season and all portions of the firearms deer season.

License and Tag Requirements in Missouri

Missouri uses a permit-based system rather than a traditional tag system. You need the right permit for the season you are hunting, and you must carry it while afield. Missouri turkey hunting follows a similar permit structure through the same MDC system.

Hunter Education

Missouri hunting license holders must have a hunter-education certificate if they were born after January 1, 1967. If you were born after January 1, 1967, you will need hunter education before buying your first license.

Permit Costs (as of the 2025 season)

For 2025, Missouri residents pay $19 for deer hunting licenses, non-residents pay $225. Combination licenses including small game cost $25 for residents and $275 for non-residents. Youth hunters under 16 pay just $7 regardless of where they live.

Where to Buy

Deer permits for the 2025–2026 season went on sale July 1, 2025. They are available for purchase online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, through the MO Hunting app, by phone at 800-392-4115, or at any permit vendor statewide.

Landowner Permits

Resident landowners with at least 20 contiguous acres may qualify for no-cost permits. Nonresident landowners with at least 75 contiguous acres may qualify for reduced-cost permits.

Nonresident Antlerless Permit Rules

Before purchasing antlerless deer hunting permits, nonresidents must first purchase a Nonresident Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit, Nonresident Landowner Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit, Nonresident Managed Deer Hunting Permit, Nonresident Archer’s Hunting Permit, or Nonresident Landowner Archer’s Hunting Permit, depending on the type of antlerless permit they want to use.

Hunting Zones and Public Land Rules in Missouri

Missouri’s hunting landscape is divided between private land, MDC Conservation Areas, and federal public land. Rules differ depending on where you hunt, and some areas carry additional restrictions.

Conservation Areas (MDC Land)

Portable tree stands may be placed or used only between Sept. 1 and Jan. 31 on Conservation Department areas. Unattended stands must be plainly labeled on durable material with your full name and address or Conservation number. You may not use nails, screw-in steps, or any material that would damage the tree.

All-terrain vehicle use is prohibited on conservation areas with limited exceptions. Other vehicles are restricted to graveled and paved roads and established parking areas, unless otherwise posted.

Baiting on Public Land

Mineral and salt blocks are not allowed on conservation areas. It is legal to hunt over a harvested crop field, but it is not legal to add grain or other crops after it has been harvested. Manipulating crops, such as mowing or knocking them down, is not considered baiting for deer and turkeys.

Urban Deer Zones

The Kansas City Urban Zone covers parts of Cass and Platte counties with specific rules that differ from standard county regulations. If you are hunting near metropolitan areas, check the MDC regulations map for your exact location before purchasing permits. Minnesota’s deer zones use a similar urban-boundary framework worth referencing for comparison.

Pro Tip: The MDC MO Hunting app includes map layers for conservation areas, CWD Management Zone boundaries, and county lines — a useful tool for confirming where you are before shooting.

Hunter Orange and Safety Requirements in Missouri

Hunter orange is required by law during firearms deer season in Missouri, and the rules are specific about what counts as compliant.

Any person hunting deer during a firearms deer-hunting season shall wear a cap or hat, and a shirt, vest, or coat with the outermost color of daylight fluorescent orange, blaze orange, or hunter orange, which must be plainly visible from all sides while being worn.

To satisfy this rule, you must wear both a hunter-orange hat and a hunter-orange shirt, vest, or coat. The hunter-orange color must be plainly visible from all sides. Camouflage orange does not satisfy this rule.

Who Must Wear Hunter Orange

The requirement applies broadly. You are required to wear hunter orange when hunting any species of game during firearms deer season, with some exceptions allowed. This means squirrel hunters, rabbit hunters, and other small game hunters in the field during firearms deer season must also comply.

Additional situations that require hunter orange include:

• Hunting elk or accompanying an elk hunter during the firearms portion of the elk season.
• Hunting black bear or accompanying a black bear hunter.
• Hunting on an area that is having a managed firearms deer hunt, or serving as a mentor to another hunter during firearms deer season.

Exceptions to the Hunter Orange Requirement

You do not have to wear hunter orange during firearms deer season if you are hunting migratory game birds. There are also exceptions for archery hunters on areas restricted to archery methods only. You are exempt if you are hunting on federal or state land where deer hunting is restricted to archery methods, or if you are using an archery permit during the alternative methods portion.

Harvest Reporting Requirements in Missouri

Missouri uses a mandatory electronic Telecheck system for all harvested deer. Paper check stations no longer exist — every deer must go through the system before you move it.

Deer must be Telechecked before being transported out of the county of harvest or by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest, whichever comes first. This is a firm deadline, not a guideline. If you harvest a deer late in the afternoon and plan to drive it to a processor in another county, Telecheck it before you leave.

How to Telecheck

You can complete Telecheck through the MO Hunting app, online at mdc.mo.gov, or by calling 800-392-4115. Properly checked deer and turkeys may be possessed by anyone if labeled with the taker’s full name, address, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number. The Telecheck confirmation number must remain attached to the carcass until a meat processor begins working on the animal.

Deer left at commercial processing or cold storage plants must be claimed by May 1 following the season taken.

Common Mistake: Forgetting to Telecheck before driving to a processor in a different county is one of the most frequent violations MDC conservation agents encounter. Set a phone reminder the moment you recover your deer.

CWD Zones and Carcass Transport Rules in Missouri

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a 100% fatal, contagious disease that could devastate Missouri’s deer herd. The MDC has been actively managing CWD across a growing number of counties, and the 2025–2026 season brought both zone expansions and a significant shift in how carcass transport is handled.

The CWD Management Zone

The CWD Management Zone includes counties that have had a CWD positive detection or are within approximately 10 miles of a CWD detection. Special regulations apply in CWD Management Zone counties.

New counties added to the CWD Management Zone for the 2025–2026 season include Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Daviess, Harrison, Henry, Marion, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Ralls, St. Louis, and Texas. These counties were added after detecting their first CWD cases or because they fall within 10 miles of an existing detection. As of the 2025–2026 season, Missouri is managing CWD in 38 counties.

New Carcass Disposal Rules (Statewide)

A major regulatory change took effect for the 2025–2026 season. The previous rule prohibiting hunters from transporting high-risk deer parts, such as the brain and spinal cord, out of the county of harvest has been removed. In its place:

Parts of a deer carcass that are not kept or provided to a taxidermist, processor, or tanner must be disposed of in trash that is dumped in a sanitary landfill or left on the property where the deer was harvested. This rule applies statewide, not just in CWD counties.

Interstate movement restrictions for deer, elk, moose, or caribou entering Missouri remain unchanged. Hunters may import cervid heads with cape attached if delivered to a licensed taxidermist within 48 hours of entering Missouri.

Mandatory CWD Sampling

If you harvest a deer from designated counties in the CWD Management Zone during opening weekend of the November portion (Nov. 15–16), you must take your deer — or the head — to a mandatory CWD sampling station on the day of harvest.

This year’s mandatory sampling focuses on newer CWD Management Zone counties, while many long-standing counties are not required to participate. Check the MDC website or app to confirm whether your hunting county requires mandatory sampling.

Voluntary Sampling

Voluntary CWD sampling is available statewide from Sept. 15 to Jan. 15 at MDC offices, participating taxidermists and meat processors, and freezer drop-off locations.

Feed and Mineral Bans in CWD Counties

Grain, salt products, minerals, and other consumable products used to attract deer are prohibited year-round within CWD Management Zone counties, with exceptions for feed placed within 100 feet of any residence or occupied building, feed placed in a manner that excludes access by deer, and feed and minerals used solely for normal agricultural, forest management, or wildlife food plot production practices.

Youth and Special Season Rules in Missouri

Missouri has built dedicated opportunities for young hunters into the season structure, along with a special alternative methods season for experienced hunters looking for a late-season challenge. Maryland’s youth deer season and Mississippi’s youth season framework offer useful comparisons if you are planning hunts across multiple states.

Youth Firearms Season Dates

Hunters aged between 6 and 15 years old on the opening day of the early youth portion are allowed to hunt during this season. The dates run from November 1–2, 2025 (early) and again from November 28–30, 2025 (late).

Updated Youth Bag Limits

Youth hunters may now harvest more than one deer during the Early Youth Portion of the firearms deer season. The change standardizes bag limits across all firearms season portions, though the statewide limit of one antlered buck remains in effect.

Youth Supervision Requirements

During the youth portions of firearms deer season, adults who accompany youth hunters do not need a deer hunting permit. The adult must be 18 or older and be hunter-education certified or born before Jan. 1, 1967.

Youths must be 6 years or older to hunt deer or turkeys. Youth ages 6 through 15 can purchase resident or nonresident deer and turkey hunting permits at reduced prices.

If a youth is hunter-education certified, he or she may hunt alone. However, if a youth is not hunter-education certified, he or she must hunt in the immediate presence of an adult who has a valid hunter-education certification card.

Alternative Methods Season

The Alternative Methods Season (Dec. 27, 2025 – Jan. 6, 2026) is open to all hunters and provides a final opportunity to fill antlerless permits after the main firearms seasons close. Missouri allows a range of weapons depending on the season: archery season permits longbows, compound bows, and crossbows; firearms season allows centerfire rifles, shotguns with slugs, muzzleloaders, and handguns; and the alternative methods season allows muzzleloading firearms, crossbows, and certain handguns.

You can also pair the alternative methods season with a late-season scouting strategy. Deer shift to heavy feeding patterns in December and January, making food sources and south-facing slopes productive locations. For hunters who also pursue other species, Missouri dove hunting wraps up well before deer season begins, leaving your fall calendar open for the full whitetail calendar.

Key Insight: If you are introducing a new hunter to the sport, the youth firearms season is the ideal entry point. The lower hunting pressure compared to the November Portion makes for a more relaxed experience, and the two-day windows on both the early and late youth dates give you flexibility around school schedules.

For additional context on how neighboring states structure their deer seasons, see our guides on Michigan deer hunting season and Minnesota deer hunting season. Always confirm the current year’s regulations directly with the Missouri Department of Conservation before purchasing permits or heading afield, as dates and county-specific rules are subject to annual revision.