The Missouri Conservation Commission approved recommendations from the Missouri Department of Conservation at its March 14 meeting for the upcoming 2023 migratory-game-bird-hunting seasons and 2023-2024 waterfowl-hunting seasons.
2023 MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING
Mourning Doves, Eurasian Collared Doves, and White-Winged Doves
Season: Sept. 1 through Nov. 29
Limits: 15 daily and 45 in possession combined total for all three species
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Sora and Virginia Rails
Season: Sept. 1 through Nov. 9
Limits: 25 daily and 75 in possession combined for both species
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Wilson’s (Common) Snipe
Season: Sept. 1 through Dec. 16
Limits: 8 daily and 24 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
American Woodcock
Season: Oct. 15 through Nov. 28
Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
2023-2024 WATERFOWL HUNTING
Teal
Season: Sept. 9-24
Limits: 6 daily and 18 in possession
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Ducks
Season:
- North Zone: Oct. 28 through Dec. 26
- Middle Zone: Nov. 4 – 12 and Nov. 18 through Jan. 7, 2024
- South Zone: Nov. 23 – 26 and Dec. 7 through Jan. 31, 2024
Bag Limit: 6 ducks daily with species restrictions of:
- 4 mallards (no more than 2 females)
- 2 scaup for first 45 days and 1 scaup for last 15 days
- 3 wood ducks
- 2 redheads
- 2 hooded mergansers
- 1 pintail
- 2 canvasbacks
- 2 black ducks
- 1 mottled duck
Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag or 18 total, varies by species
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Coots
Season: Same as duck season dates in the respective zones
Limits: 15 daily and 45 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Snow Geese (White and Blue Phases) and Ross’s Geese
Season: Nov. 11 through Feb. 6, 2024
Limits: 20 blue, snow, or Ross’s geese daily with no possession limit
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
White-Fronted Geese
Season: Nov. 11 through Feb. 6, 2024
Limits: 2 daily and 6 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Canada Geese and Brant
Season: Oct. 7-15 and Nov. 11 – Feb. 6, 2024
Limits: 3 Canada geese and Brant in aggregate daily, 9 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Light Goose Conservation Order
Season: Feb. 7 through April 30, 2024
Limits: No daily or possession limits
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Methods: For the taking of blue, snow, and Ross’s geese, hunters may use shotguns capable of holding more than three shells and recorded or electronically amplified bird calls or sounds or imitations of bird calls or sounds.
YOUTH HUNTING DAYS
North Zone: Oct. 21 and 22
Middle Zone: Oct. 21 and 22
South Zone: Nov. 18 and 19
Limits: Same as during regular waterfowl season
Hours: Same as during regular waterfowl season
Requirements: Any person 15 years of age or younger may participate in youth waterfowl hunting days without a permit provided they are in the immediate presence of an adult 18 years of age or older. If the youth hunter is not certified in hunter education, the adult must have the required permits and have in his or her possession proof of hunter education unless exempt. The adult may not hunt ducks but may participate in other seasons that are open on youth hunting days.
FALCONRY SEASONS
Falconry Season for Doves
Season: Sept. 1 through Dec. 16
Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession, singly, or in the aggregate (any ducks, coots, or mergansers taken by falconers must be included in these limits)
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Falconry Season for Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers
Season: Open during waterfowl seasons (teal, youth, duck) and Feb. 11 through March 10, 2024
Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession, singly, or in the aggregate during the regular duck-hunting seasons (including teal and youth seasons) and extended falconry seasons (any doves taken by falconers must be included in these limits)
Hours: Sunrise to sunset during the September teal season, one-half hour before sunrise to sunset during the remaining seasons
HUNTING ZONES
Waterfowl hunting in Missouri is divided into three zones: North, Middle, and South. For a map and more information, visit MDC online at this link or refer to MDC’s “2023-2024 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest,” available beginning in July where hunting permits are sold.
NONTOXIC SHOT REQUIREMENTS
Shells possessed or used while hunting waterfowl and coots statewide, and for other species, as designated by posting on public areas, must be loaded with material approved as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Get more information on nontoxic-shot requirements, allowed types, and conservation areas requiring use at this link.
