The Complete Guide to the 2024-25 Missouri Hunting Seasons

Deer Hunting Methods, Arms, & Ammo

ARCHERY SEASON:

Allowed:

• Longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows (any draw weight)
• Crossbows
• Hand-held string-releasing devices
• Illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights
• Atlatls

Prohibited:

• Sighting devices that cast a beam of light on the game
• Possession of night vision or thermal imagery equipment with a hunting implement
• Electronic/electronically activated calls, bait, dogs, or night vision equipment
• Motor driven conveyances for hunting; motorboats off and stationary for other wildlife
• Archers cannot possess firearms during archery season (exceptions in Wildlife Code of Missouri – See 3 CSR 10-7.432 and 3 CSR 10-7.455)

FIREARMS SEASON:

Allowed:

• Centerfire pistols, revolvers, or rifles with expanding-type bullets (lead, copper, etc.).
• Shotguns (.410 included) using slugs.
• Air-powered firearms, .40 caliber or larger, charged externally.
• Muzzleloading or cap-and-ball firearms, .40 caliber or larger, single projectile discharge; in-lines and scopes permitted.
• Multiple-barreled muzzleloading handguns/revolvers, .40 caliber or larger.
• Longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows; enhancements like illuminated sights allowed.
• Crossbows.
• Atlatls.

Prohibited:

• Self-loading firearms holding more than 11 cartridges.
• Ammunition that propels multiple projectiles per discharge (e.g., buckshot).
• Full hard metal case projectiles.
• Fully automatic firearms.
• Sighting devices casting light on the game.
• Electronic/electronically activated calls.
• Night vision equipment.
• Bait use.
• Dog use.
• Local ordinances may apply additional restrictions.
• Motor vehicles, including boats with motors, cannot be used to hunt or disturb wildlife.

ALTERNATIVE METHODS SEASON:

Allowed:

• Muzzleloading or cap-and-ball firearms, .40 caliber or larger, firing a single projectile per discharge; in-lines and scopes permitted.
• Multiple-barreled muzzleloaders or handguns, .40 caliber or larger, including revolvers, allowed alongside a rifle.
• Centerfire pistols or revolvers with expanding-type bullets, like lead or copper.
• Air guns, .40 caliber or larger, using an external high compression power source (hand pump, air tank, or compressor).
• Longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows of any draw weight; hand-held string releases, illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights permitted.
• Crossbows.
• Atlatls, rods or narrow boards for launching darts 5 to 8 feet long through arm throwing motion.

Prohibited:

• Rifles loaded by any means other than the muzzle.
• Shotguns.
• Self-loading firearms holding more than 11 rounds total.
• Ammo propelling more than one projectile per discharge (e.g., buckshot).
• Hard metal case bullets.
• Fully automatic firearms.
• Sighting devices casting a light beam on the game.
• Electronic/electronically activated calls.
• Night vision gear.
• Baiting.
• Hunting with dogs.
• Using motorized vehicles for hunting, driving, or disturbing wildlife. Hunting from boats with motors is prohibited.
• Additional restrictions may apply per local laws.

Deer Hunting Permit Fees

Resident Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit:

• Resident – $18.00
• Resident landowner – $0.00
• Youth (5-16) – $9.00
• Nonresident – $276.50
• Nonresident landowner – $203.50

Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit:

• Resident – $7.50
• Resident landowner – $0.00
• Youth age 5-16 – $3.75
• Nonresident – $26.00

Archer’s Hunting Permit:

• Resident – $20.50
• Resident landowner – $0.00
• Youth (6-15) – $10.25
• Nonresident – $276.50
• Nonresident landowner – $203.50

Archery Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit:

• Resident – $7.50
• Resident landowner – $0.00
• Youth age 5-16 – $3.75
• Nonresident – $26.00

Deer Tagging & Telecheck:

Telecheck Process & Requirements:

• It’s required to Telecheck deer by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest.
• Those hunting in CWD Management Zone must Telecheck their deer before leaving the county.
• Use the MO Hunting app for a digital Telecheck and confirmation.
• Paper permit holders should find their Telecheck ID, call 800-314-6828 or visit mdc.mo.gov, and provide all the required information. Then, you are given a confirmation number that you need to write on your permit.
• After completing checking your game, you can start processing it.

See Deer: How to Telecheck

Tagging and Notching:

• Tagging is not required if you stay with your harvested game. If leaving it, ensure the deer is tagged.
• For paper permits, attach the notched permit to the deer’s leg. Use of a zip-top bag for permit protection is recommended.
• MO Hunting app users should attach a label with name, address, permit number, and date of harvest to the deer’s leg.
• Notching should be done immediately post-harvest using either the MO Hunting app or by physically notching the paper permit.
• Once you notch your permit, you may transport your deer within Missouri.

Deer Hunting Regulations:

• Hunter orange is mandatory during firearms deer season.
• Check for legal baiting practices.
• Adults accompanying youth during firearms deer season do not need a hunting permit if they are either hunter-education certified or born before Jan. 1, 1967.
• Outside youth seasons, mentors need a valid permit or must be exempt.
• Tree stands placed on Conservation Department Areas are allowed from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31, with mandatory removal by Feb. 1. Stands must be labeled with the hunter’s full name, address, or Conservation number, avoiding damage to trees.
• Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP)
• Hunters must follow specific rules on areas enrolled in the Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP), such as removing tree stands daily.
• Hunters are required to make a reasonable effort to retrieve wounded or killed deer as part of their season limit. This doesn’t authorize trespass.Dogs can be used for game recovery without permitting trespass.
• Abandoning edible game parts is illegal. It’s illegal to dispose of deer carcasses or parts in any body of water.