Missouri Code of State Regulations
Title 3 - DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
Division 10 - Conservation Commission
Chapter 7 - Wildlife Code: Hunting: Seasons, Methods, Limits
Section 3 CSR 10-7.431 - Deer Hunting Seasons: General Provisions

Universal Citation: 3 MO Code of State Regs 10-7.431

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 18, September 16, 2024

PURPOSE: This rule establishes general provisions for hunting deer.

(1) The current Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet is hereby incorporated in this Code by reference. This booklet is published annually in August by, and a printed copy can be obtained from, the Missouri Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 and is also available online at www.missouriconservation.org. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions.

(2) Deer shall mean white-tailed deer and mule deer. Antlered deer shall mean deer with at least one (1) antler at least three inches (3") long, except as provided in 3 CSR 10-7.435. Deer may be pursued, taken, killed, possessed, or transported only as permitted in this Code.

(3) Persons hunting or pursuing deer must possess a prescribed deer hunting permit. Resident landowners can qualify for no-cost permits.

(4) Deer may be pursued or taken only from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise until one-half (1/2) hour after sunset.

(5) Deer Hunting Methods.

(A) Archery: longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, crossbows, and atlatl.

(B) Muzzleloader: muzzleloading firearms as defined in 3 CSR 10-20.805 (including cap-and-ball firearms) .40 caliber or larger.

(C) Any legal method: archery and muzzleloader methods; atlatl; shotguns; handguns or rifles firing expanding-type center fire ammunition; and air-powered guns, .40 caliber or larger, charged only from an external high compression power source (external hand pump, air tank, or air compressor).

(D) Prohibited, in use or possession:
1. Methods restricted by local ordinance;

2. Self-loading firearms with capacity of more than eleven (11) cartridges in magazine and chamber combined with the exception of concealable firearms, as defined in Chapter 571, RSMo. Firearms possessed under this exception may not be used to take wildlife while deer hunting.;

3. Ammunition propelling more than one (1) projectile at a single discharge, such as buckshot;

4. Full hard metal case projectiles;

5. Fully automatic firearms; and

6. Electronic calls or electronically activated calls.

(6) A person may take only two (2) antlered deer during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined, with no more than one (1) antlered deer taken during the firearms deer season. Only one (1) antlered deer may be taken during the archery deer season prior to the November portion of the firearms deer hunting season. Deer taken at managed deer hunts are not included in this limit.

(7) Deer may not be hunted, pursued, taken, or killed -

(A) While in a stream or other body of water;

(B) From a boat with a motor attached;

(C) With the aid of a motor-driven land conveyance or aircraft, except unmanned motor-driven air conveyances may be used to recover wounded deer as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410;

(D) With the aid of dogs, in use or possession, except for the recovery of wounded deer as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410;

(E) With the aid of artificial light or night vision equipment;

(F) Within any area enclosed by a fence greater than seven feet (7') in height that could contain or restrict the free range of deer. Exceptions are provided in other rules or by written authorization of the director; and

(G) With the aid of bait (grain or other feed placed or scattered so as to constitute an attraction or enticement to deer). Scents and minerals, including salt, are not regarded as bait; however, mineral blocks with food additives are prohibited. An area is considered baited for ten (10) days following complete removal of bait. A person shall be in violation of this provision if they take or attempt to take deer by the aid of bait, where the person knows or reasonably should know the area is or has been baited. It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule.

(8) During the firearms deer hunting season and during managed firearms deer hunts on those areas where such hunts are held, all persons hunting any game, and also adult mentors accompanying them, must wear a cap or hat and a shirt, vest, or coat of the color commonly known as hunter orange, which must be plainly visible from all sides. Camouflage orange garments do not meet this requirement. The following are exempt from this requirement:

(A) Migratory game bird hunters;

(B) Archery permittees during the alternative methods portion;

(C) All hunters in counties closed during the antlerless and CWD portions;

(D) Hunters using archery methods while hunting within municipal boundaries where discharge of firearms is prohibited;

(E) Hunters on federal or state public hunting areas and during managed hunts where deer hunting is restricted to archery methods; and

(F) Hunters of small game and/or furbearers during the alternative methods portion.

(9) Hunters who kill or injure a deer must make a reasonable effort to retrieve and tag it, but this does not authorize trespass.

(10) Hunters who take a deer shall void their permit immediately by notching the month and date of harvest and shall keep the deer separate or distinctly identifiable from deer taken or possessed by another. When the deer is not personally attended and prior to reporting through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System, the voided permit or proper label shall be attached to the deer. Deer may be possessed and transported only by the taker until reported through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System. All deer taken shall be accurately reported by the taker or in the taker's immediate presence through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System by 10:00 p.m. on the day taken. The Telecheck confirmation number shall be recorded immediately on the deer hunting permit. The deer shall remain intact or as a field-dressed carcass until the deer is reported through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System. All deer shall be reported through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System prior to processing or being removed from the state. After reporting through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System, deer may be possessed, transported, and stored by anyone when labeled with the permit or any label that includes the full name and address of the taker, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number.

(11) Deer (or parts thereof) reported in accordance with established procedures, when labeled with the full name and address of the taker, the date taken, and the Telecheck confirmation number of the deer, may be possessed, transported, and stored by anyone. Commercially processed deer meat may be donated to not-for-profit charitable organizations under guidelines established by the director.

*Original authority: 252.240, RSMo 1972, amended 1984.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Missouri may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.