Missouri deer hunters need to be aware of several regulation changes this fall, including a reduced buck limit for nonresidents, an earlier youth season and changes to chronic wasting disease management practices.
The Missouri Department of Conservation said in a news release that nonresident hunters using nonresident deer hunting permits will now be limited to one antlered buck, down from two. Nonresidents who qualify for nonresident landowner permits can still harvest two.
MDC said the number of nonresident deer hunters in Missouri has increased nearly 50 percent over the past decade, while resident hunters have raised concerns about land access and their hunting experiences.
The department also moved the Early Youth Portion one week earlier to October 24-25 to avoid conflicts with Halloween activities.
MDC removed the antler-point restriction in the final 18 counties where it remained. The department said yearling bucks can travel long distances and spread chronic wasting disease. The department also eliminated the CWD Management Zone designation and removed the separate CWD Portion of firearms deer season.
Mandatory CWD sampling during the opening weekend of the November firearms portion will move to a four-year county rotation. Sampling will be required in 28 counties from November 14-15 this season. Boone County is not among those counties where sampling will be done.
Meanwhile, the archery seasons for deer, and the fall season for turkey began September 15 and will run through November 13, then reopen November 25 and continue through January 15, 2027.
Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Turkey season
Hunters can take two turkeys – either hens or toms – during the combined archery and firearms fall seasons, and both birds can be taken on the same day. This past spring, nonresidents were restricted from killing two bearded birds, with their limit being reduced to just one. The intent was to ease pressure on public hunting land, so perhaps this fall resident hunters may have more luck.
You can buy permits over the counter at any permit vendor, or online from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
The cost for a fall resident permit to take two turkeys for those 16 and older costs $15. Ages 6-15 costs $7.50. Non-residents will pay $176.50 age 16 and up.
Deer season
Missouri residents can take up to two antlered deer during the combined archery and firearms seasons, although only one antlered deer may be taken during the archery portion before November 14.
For a resident, an archer’s hunting permit for those 16 and up costs $22, and ages 6-15 is $11. Non-residents 16 and up costs $360.
One of the biggest changes this year affects nonresident hunters.
Hunters using a regular Nonresident Archer’s Hunting Permit or Nonresident Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit are now limited to one antlered deer during the combined archery and firearms seasons, down from two
Qualifying nonresident landowners can still take two antlered deer with their landowner permits, subject to the season’s restrictions. MDC said the change is intended to address concerns about increasing hunting pressure and land access as the number of nonresident deer hunters has grown.
