Youth Hunting Seasons Quickly Approaching In Missouri

 

Youth waterfowl season is this coming weekend October 22-23.  Shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to sunset with daily bag limits being the same as regular waterfowl season.  Youth age 15 years and younger do not need any permits to hunt during the youth or regular waterfowl seasons.  However, youth must hunt with a properly licensed adult waterfowl hunter (18 years old or older) who is hunter education certified or exempt (youth can hunt by themselves if they have had hunter education).  Most adult hunters will be required to have a small game permit, migratory game permit and a federal waterfowl stamp.

 

The early youth firearm deer season will be October 29-30.  Shooting hours are ½ before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset and all youth hunters and accompanying adults must wear a hunter orange hat and vest/jacket/coat.  During the early youth deer season the bag limit is one deer of either sex and the antler point restriction does not apply.  Accompanying adult hunters (18 years old or older) must be hunter education certified or exempt and do not need a permit to hunt with a youth unless they are hunting outside of the youth deer seasons.  Young hunters must have a youth firearm deer permit and must be between the ages of 6-15.  Remember: only one antlered deer may be taken by a hunter during any and all firearm deer seasons combined.  New this year: all youth hunters who are 15 years of age or younger on September 15 are exempt from the antler point restriction during all deer seasons. 

 

For more information consult the waterfowl hunting digest or the fall deer and turkey hunting regulations booklet.