Deer hunting in Missouri runs from mid-September through mid-January each year. The exact dates depend on your weapon: archery opens September 15 and runs through January 15, while the primary firearms portion takes place for eleven consecutive days in mid-November.
Table of Contents
The short version
- Archery season runs from September 15 through November 14, then reopens November 26 through January 15.
- The November firearms portion opens the second Saturday of November and lasts for 11 consecutive days.
- Youth firearms weekends happen in late October for the early portion and late November for the late portion.
- The firearms antlerless portion runs for 9 days in early December across designated open counties.
- Alternative methods season (muzzleloaders, handguns, and archery gear) takes place for 11 days in late December.
- Legal shooting hours start exactly 30 minutes before sunrise and end at sunset each day.
Why?
Missouri schedules its deer hunting framework around the biological breeding cycle of white-tailed deer and long-term population management. The Missouri Department of Conservation sets dates annually to balance herd health with public recreation and highway safety.
The November firearms portion always falls across the peak of the deer rut. During this mid-November window, bucks move aggressively during daylight hours searching for mates, giving hunters the highest success rate of the year. Removing a controlled number of bucks and does at this time keeps the statewide population stable before harsh winter weather arrives.
Archery season opens early in September to allow low-impact harvest without disrupting deer movements across the landscape. The department adds antlerless-only portions in December to lower female deer densities in agricultural zones where crop damage occurs. The alternative methods portion sits at the end of December because modern muzzleloaders and primitive arms have shorter effective ranges. That keeps overall harvest totals modest while extending field opportunities for tag holders. You’ll find every approved date published in the official Missouri Department of Conservation annual Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations booklet.
When the answer is different?
Dates and legal weapon types shift based on your age, county regulations, and weapon choice.
| Situation | What changes | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter is age 6 to 15 | Gets two dedicated youth-only weekends | Hunt early youth in October or late in November |
| Using a compound or recurve bow | Season stays open during firearm breaks | Hunt September through mid-January with valid archery permit |
| Hunting inside CWD management zones | Antler restrictions get lifted completely | Check the county CWD map before tagging deer |
| Hunting strictly antlerless deer | Additional open days in December | Purchase firearms antlerless permits for open counties |
| Hunting inside city limits or parks | Local municipal ordinances override state seasons | Check local city hall codes for archery permissions |
How to do it properly?
- Buy your Missouri resident or non-resident deer hunting permit online via the MO Hunting mobile app or at an authorized regional vendor before heading out.
- Check your county’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) status on the Missouri Department of Conservation website to see if mandatory opening-weekend carcass testing applies to your harvest location.
- Put on hunter orange clothing covering at least 400 square inches on your chest, back, and head if you hunt during any firearms portion.
- Set up your ground blind or tree stand at your chosen spot at least 45 minutes before legal shooting hours start.
- Confirm the deer meets local point restrictions (such as the four-point rule in designated counties) before you pull the trigger or release your arrow.
- Attach your temporary tag immediately to the harvested deer using a zip-tie or notch the permit digitally inside the MO Hunting app before moving the animal.
- Telecheck your harvest by phone or online before 10:00 PM on the day you kill the animal to receive your legal confirmation number.
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The mistakes that ruin it
- Hunting without hunter orange during the November firearms portion results in a conservation citation and an immediate court summons.
- Moving a deer carcass outside of a designated CWD management zone without boning out the meat violates state quarantine laws.
- Forgetting to notch your paper permit or confirm the digital tag immediately at the kill site leads to an illegal transport charge.
- Shooting earlier than 30 minutes before sunrise or after sunset brings heavy fines for hunting during closed hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you hunt deer on Sundays in Missouri?
Yes, you can hunt all legal deer portions on Sundays. Missouri allows hunting seven days a week on both private land and open public conservation lands during legal hours.
What happens if I shoot a deer and can’t find it before dark?
You must search with a handheld light, but you can’t carry a firearm or bow while trailing wounded deer after legal hours. Call the local conservation agent if you need tracking dogs, as leashed tracking dogs are legal under strict state rules.
Does Missouri require hunter orange during archery season?
No, except when your archery hunt overlaps with a modern firearms season in your county. If an open firearms portion is active, every deer hunter must wear hunter orange regardless of weapon choice.
How long does telecheck give you to report a deer?
You have until 10:00 PM on the day of harvest to report your deer. If you take the animal to a commercial processor or taxidermist before that time, you must complete the telecheck process before transferring possession.
Is baiting legal when is deer hunting in missouri?
No, hunting over bait like grain, salt, or mineral blocks is strictly illegal statewide. All supplemental feed must be completely removed at least 10 days before hunting that property.
What is the four-point rule in Missouri?
The rule requires a legal buck to have at least four points on one antler side in designated counties. Points must measure at least one inch long to count toward your legal total.
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