The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently set the 2025-2026 turkey and deer hunting dates for the seasons. The hunting dates were approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission and include:
2025 Spring and Fall Turkey Hunting Dates
- Spring Youth Portion: April 12-13
- Regular Spring Turkey Season: April 21 through May 11
- Fall Archery Turkey Portion: Sept. 15 through Nov. 14 and Nov. 26 through Jan. 15, 2026
- Fall Firearms Turkey Portion: Oct. 1-31 (in open counties)
2025-2026 Firearms Deer Hunting Dates
- Firearms Early Antlerless Portion: Oct. 10-12 (in open counties)
- Firearms Early Youth Portion: Nov. 1-2
- Firearms November Portion: Nov. 15-25
- Firearms CWD Portion: Nov. 26-30 (in open counties)
- Firearms Late Youth Portion: Nov. 28-30
- Firearms Late Antlerless Portion: Dec. 6-14 (in open counties)
- Firearms Alternative Methods Portion: Dec. 27-Jan. 6, 2026
The Commission also gave initial approval to recommendations related to chronic wasting disease (CWD) that would rescind the intrastate carcass transportation regulations for deer and other cervids (including elk) and that would establish carcass-disposal requirements for deer and other cervids harvested in Missouri.
Recommendations for changes to firearms antlerless permit numbers, CWD mandatory sampling, conservation area regulations, managed hunts, and other proposals will be submitted to the Commission for consideration this spring.
