Refer to This List When Planning Your Next Pheasant or Quail Hunting Trip
Missouri offers a diverse selection of bird hunting opportunities, attracting enthusiasts from across the nation. To ensure a successful and legal hunting experience, it’s important to confirm you’re hunting in the appropriate season.
Below is a comprehensive guide to Missouri’s bird hunting seasons, along with interesting facts about each bird. Use the outbound links for the most up-to-date hunting season information by bird species.
Common Snipe: Bird Hunting Season – September Through Mid-December
Hunting common snipe in Missouri requires patience and precision. These small, fast-flying birds know how to keep bird hunting season interesting, as they are known for their erratic flight patterns and preference for marshy wetlands.
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Daily limit: 8
Possession limit: 24
Learn more common snipe hunting at the Missouri Department of Conservation website.
Crow: Bird Hunting Season – November Through Early-March
Hunting crow in Missouri offers a unique challenge, as these highly intelligent birds require strategic calling and decoy setups to lure them within range.
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Daily limit: n/a
Possession limit: n/a
Learn more crow hunting by visiting the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Pheasant Hunting Season: November Through Mid-January
Pheasant hunting season in Missouri offers hunters the chance to pursue these fast-flying game birds in open fields and grasslands, where strategic flushing techniques and well-trained dogs make all the difference. Please note that only male pheasants can be taken, and a foot or fully-feathered head must be attached when transported and stored.
Daily limit: 2 male pheasants
Possession limit: 4 male pheasants
Get more information about pheasant hunting by visiting the Missouri Department of Conservation website. Pheasants are available to hunt through early April at privately managed hunting preserves and dude ranches.
Dove: Bird Hunting Season – September Through November
Dove hunting in Missouri is a popular fall tradition, offering fast-paced shooting action as flocks of agile doves dart and weave across open fields.
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Daily limit: 15
Possession limit: 45
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website to learn more about dove hunting.
Ducks and Coots: Bird Hunting Season – November Through December
Duck and coot bird hunting season is divided into multiple zones, with dates varying by region to align with migration patterns. Hunters can pursue a variety of duck species, including mallards, wood ducks, and pintails, while coots are typically found in the same wetland habitats.
Missouri’s rich waterways and wetlands provide excellent opportunities for waterfowl hunters to experience thrilling flights at dawn and challenging shooting conditions throughout the season.
Check your bird hunting zone for dates, hours, and limits.
Early Canada Goose and Brant: Bird Hunting Season – October
Canada goose and Brant bird hunting season in Missouri typically runs for a limited time in October. These large waterfowl provide exciting hunting opportunities in wetlands, lakes, and agricultural fields, where skilled calling and decoy setups are essential for success.
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Daily limit: Three.
Possession limit: Nine.
Check the Missouri Department of Conservation website for the most current Canada Goose and Brant hunting information.
Light Goose Conservation Order: February Through April
Hunting snow geese, blue geese, and Ross’s geese in Missouri under the Light Goose Conservation Order allows hunters to use extended methods, such as unplugged shotguns and electronic calls, to help control overpopulated flocks and protect fragile wetland ecosystems.
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Daily limit: n/a
Possession limit: n/a
Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website to learn more about the Light Goose Conservation Order.
Quail Hunting Season: November Through Mid-January
Quail hunting season in Missouri provides hunters with the opportunity to pursue quail in grasslands and brushy cover, where their quick bursts of flight make for an exciting and challenging hunt.
Daily limit: 8
Possession limit: 16
See the most up-to-date quail hunting information at Missouri Department of Conservation website. Quail hunting is also available through early April at dude ranches as part of upland bird hunting packages.
Turkey: Bird Hunting Season – October
Fall turkey hunting season is a Midwestern pastime, allowing hunters to pursue wild turkeys using firearms or archery while relying on calling techniques and strategic positioning to track these elusive birds.
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Daily limit: 2 turkeys of either sex
Chukar: Bird Hunting Season in Missouri – November Through Early-April
Chukar hunting in Missouri is primarily available on privately owned hunting preserves and dude ranches, as these upland game birds are not commonly found in the wild across the state.
Visiting a dude ranch or a managed hunting preserve provides the best experience, offering well-maintained habitats, expertly trained hunting dogs, and guided hunts that increase the chances of a successful and enjoyable outing.
Learn more about chukar bird hunting season by visiting aa dude ranch that offers upland bird hunting packages.
