Hunting & Trapping Seasons (by Species)

Check the Code

This is NOT a legal document. Regulations are subject to revision during the current year.

Refer to the Wildlife Code
Waterfowl

Waterfowl in water

Season Not Open
Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers: Falconry
  • February 11, 2025 to March 10, 2025
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.

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

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

Wilson's Snipe

Photo of a Wilson's snipe, a pudgy, long-billed bird, wading in a marsh.

Season Not Open
Common Snipe: Hunting
  • September 1, 2024 to December 16, 2024
Hours

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Daily limit: 8
Possession limit: 24

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  1. Small Game Hunting Permit
  2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
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

Migratory Birds: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.

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.

Additional Info

Special Provision for Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion and Antlerless portion in open counties, shot must be no larger than No. 4.

Migratory Birds: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

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

Lead shot is prohibited at some conservation areas.

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

Woodcock

Woodcock in grass

Season Not Open
Woodcock: Hunting
  • October 18, 2024 to December 1, 2024
Hours

One half hour before sunrise to sunset

Daily limit: 3
Possession limit: 9

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  1. Small Game Hunting Permit
  2. Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
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

Migratory Birds: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller. Must not hold more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.

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.

Additional Info

Special Provision for Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion and Antlerless portion in open counties, shot must be no larger than No. 4.

Migratory Birds: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

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

Lead shot is prohibited at some conservation areas.

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