Hunting and Trapping Regulations

1 A Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations Effective March 1, 2021. DAVID STONNER. Conservation Department Offices Director, Department of Conservation Sara Parker Pauley The Conservation Commission Don C. Bedell Steven D. Harrison Mark L. McHenry Wm. L. (Barry) Orscheln Missouri Department of Conservation PO Box 180. Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. 573-751-4115. Central Region Northwest Region Southwest Region Equal opportunity to participate in 3500 East Gans Road 701 James McCarthy Drive 2630 N. Mayfair and benefit from programs of the Columbia, MO 65201 St. Joseph, MO 64507 Springfield, MO 65803. Missouri Department of Conservation 573-815-7900 816-271-3100 417-895-6880. is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, Kansas City Region Ozark Region St. Louis Region national origin, sex, ancestry, age, 12405 SE Ranson Road 551 Joe Jones Blvd. 2360 Highway D. sexual orientation, veteran status, or Lee's Summit, MO 64082 West Plains, MO 65775 St.

2 Charles, MO 63304. disability. Questions should be directed 816-622-0900 417-256-7161 636-441-4554. to the Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, Northeast Region Southeast Region 573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966 3500 S. Baltimore 2302 County Park Drive (TTY), or to Chief, Public Civil Rights, Kirksville, MO 63501 cape girardeau , MO 63701. Office of Civil Rights, Department 660-785-2420 573-290-5730. of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, 20240. To report poaching or game-law violations, call Operation Game Thief 800-392-1111. Rewards are available for information leading to the arrest of game-law violators. You can remain anonymous. 2 A Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2021. Table of Contents 4 Permits Hunting and Trapping in Missouri 4 Permits General Information Most of Missouri's native wild creatures are as abundant now as they were 300 years ago. Species such as deer and turkey 6 Purchasing Permits have been brought back from the edge of statewide extirpa- 8 Hunting and Trapping Permits tion, and skillful management has maintained other wildlife populations that otherwise could have slipped away.

3 A major 10 Landowner Deer and Turkey Permits part of managing Missouri's wildlife is regulating what, how, 13 General Information where, and when we may hunt and trap. That's where the Wild- life Code of Missouri comes in. The Wildlife Code of Missouri is a 13 Dogs permissive code, which means that rather than giving you an endless list of thou shalt nots, it tells you what you may do. 13 Legal Firearm Methods You may take or attempt to take only those animals permit- 13 Baiting ted by the Code, and only by methods, and only at the times 13 Bows and Crossbows and under the circumstances specified in the Code. These Regulations are necessary to protect and manage Missouri's 14 Artificial Lights and Night abundant wildlife populations and to make access to Missouri Vision Equipment Hunting and Trapping as fair and simple as possible. 14 Possessing, Transporting, and In Your Hands Storing Wildlife The information in this booklet is only a summary of the 15 Nontoxic Shot Requirements Hunting and Trapping rules.

4 It is NOT a legal document and is subject to revision during the current year. For com- 16 Definitions plete rules, refer to the Wildlife Code of Missouri or the Mis- souri Code of State Regulations at 18 Hunting current/3 18 Deer 18 Elk 18 Black Bear 18 Furbearers 18 Bullfrog and Green Frog What's New for 2021? 18 Crows The Conservation Commission has passed new rules 19 Groundhog in anticipation of a black bear Hunting season that could occur in the fall of 2021. 19 Rabbits You may now use artificial lights and night vision 19 Squirrels equipment to hunt coyotes from Feb. 1 through March 31. See Page 14. 19 Pheasant Firearms that are allowed for use as handguns are now 19 Quail specifically defined in the Wildlife Code of Missouri. In 19 Migratory Birds and Waterfowl addition, the definition for muzzleloading firearm has been modified. See definitions on Page 16. 19 Turkey 20 Trapping Note: According to rule 3 CSR of the Wildlife 20 Trapping Seasons Code of Missouri, if you have been convicted of multiple 21 General Provisions or major violations of the Code in the past five years, the 21 Cable Restraint Devices Conservation Commission may consider suspending or revoking your Hunting , Trapping , and/or fishing privi- 22 Feral Hogs leges regardless of any previous court action.

5 The point system the Commission uses to assess Code violations is explained at 23 Sunrise and Sunset Times A Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2021 3. Permits General Information A. nyone who hunts or traps must carry the appropriate Hunting or Trapping permits in either paper, plastic, or Hunter-Education Requirements electronic format, or qualify for an exemption. You must complete an approved hunter-education program in Missouri or another state to buy firearms Hunting permits Permit Exemptions unless: PERMITS. Missouri resident landowners and any member of their You were born before Jan. 1, 1967. immediate households whose legal residence is the same You are 6 15 years old and using a firearms deer or turkey as the landowner for at least the last 30 days, may hunt Hunting permit while Hunting in the immediate presence except black bears, deer, elk, or turkeys or trap on lands of a mentor. they own without a permit, except: You are using a resident landowner deer or turkey Hunting A Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit is required to permit on qualifying property.

6 Hunt waterfowl, snipe, doves, woodcock, and rails. You are using an Apprentice Hunter Authorization. See A Federal Duck Stamp is required to hunt waterfowl. Page 5. A Conservation Order Permit is required to hunt light geese You have a developmental disability. See Rule 3 CSR. during the Conservation Order. of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. While Hunting on their own land, hunters must comply All hunters, unless exempt, must carry their hunter-edu- with appropriate seasons, methods, limits, and checking cation card or a permit with their hunter-education number requirements. on it while Hunting with a firearm. The Missouri Conservation Heritage Card or Conservation Permit Card with a hunter- Any Missouri resident age 65 or older may hunt (but not education number on it is also acceptable. trap) wildlife except black bears, deer, elk, or turkeys A hunter-education card need not be displayed when buy- without a permit but must carry proof of age and residence ing permits if certification can be verified online.

7 If this is not when Hunting , except: possible, some hunters will need to contact the Conservation A Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit is required to Department to provide proof of hunter-education certifica- hunt waterfowl, snipe, doves, woodcock, and rails. tion. Once in Missouri's permit database, hunters won't have A Federal Duck Stamp is required to hunt waterfowl. to submit this information again. A Conservation Order Permit is required to hunt light geese during the Conservation Order. Any Missouri resident age 15 or younger may trap without a permit. Anyone age 15 or younger may hunt wildlife . except black bears, deer, elk, or turkeys without a permit: IF they possess a valid hunter-education card;. OR they are in the immediate presence of a mentor age 18. or older who has a valid hunter-education card or was born before Jan. 1, 1967. Any honorably discharged resident or nonresident vet- Two Ways to Earn Hunter-Education eran having a service-related disability of 60 percent or greater or who was a prisoner of war during military service Certification may hunt (but not trap) wildlife except black bears, deer, You have two options to complete hunter-education elk, and turkeys without a permit but must carry a certified certification.

8 Note: You must be at least 11 years old to statement of eligibility from the Department of Veterans enroll in hunter education in Missouri. Affairs. Any member of the military currently assigned as The first option, available to hunters 11 or older, has a patient to a Warrior Transition Brigade, Warrior Transition two parts, and you must complete both sessions to Unit, or a military medical center may hunt (but not trap) wild- receive certification. The first part can be completed life except black bears, deer, elk, and turkeys without in the classroom, through self-study, or online. Once a permit but must carry orders showing such assignment. you've completed this part, you must complete an in- However: person skills session that includes hands-on demonstra- A Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit is required to tions and a final exam. hunt waterfowl, snipe, doves, woodcock, and rails. The second option, available to Missouri residents 16.

9 A Federal Duck Stamp is required to hunt waterfowl. or older, is completed entirely online. To earn certi- A Conservation Order Permit is required to hunt light geese fication, you must score 80 percent or better on the during the Conservation Order. 60-question final exam. Note: Nonresident veterans who meet the above require- For more information, visit ments also can purchase resident permits, for example, resi- huntereducation. dent deer or turkey Hunting permits. 4 A Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2021. Note: The Conservation Commission may suspend, revoke, Attention Mentors or deny a permit or privilege for cause or for injuring another person while Hunting . When mentoring a firearms hunter who is not hunter- education certified, all mentors, including landowners Who may purchase resident permits? PERMITS. Hunting on their own land, must be at least 18 years old Any person who does not claim resident privileges in and hunter-education certified unless they were born another state or country, and whose actual residence and before Jan.

10 1, 1967. legal permanent home address are both in Missouri, and Mentors who are assisting youth hunters do not need have been for at least 30 days before applying for the per- a permit during the youth spring turkey season, the mit. Owning real estate or attending a Missouri school does youth portions of firearms deer season, or to accom- not in itself make you a legal resident. pany anyone age 11 to 15 on a black bear or elk hunt. Missouri residents employed by the United States in the At all other times, mentors must possess a valid Hunting District of Columbia or serving in the armed forces. permit for the appropriate season or be exempt. In the (Immediate family members who reside with them also case of deer and turkey permits, the mentor's permit may purchase resident permits.). can be filled or unfilled. All members of the armed forces stationed and resid- ing in Missouri on permanent change of station status and immediate family members residing with them.