Missouri Youth Hunting Regulations

Missouri offers youth fantastic opportunities to go after a variety of wildlife. However, you must be conversant with Missouri youth hunting regulations if you’re looking to engage in one of the oldest pastimes in the Show-Me State.

With an exception to deer and turkey, hunters between 6 – 15 years old can hunt without a permit in Missouri. Still, they must be accompanied by a certified hunter until they are capable of hunting alone. Youth can bring down quarry using archery, firearms, or both – but it all depends on the season.

If you’re curious about youth hunting in this Midwestern state, read on to find out the regulations you should observe.

Where to Get a Youth Hunting License in Missouri

Hunting licenses and permits are purchased via several channels:

• Local MDC (Missouri Department of Conservation) offices.
• From thousands of permit vendors around the state who sell hunting and fishing equipment.
• By phone call or on the smartphone app. 
• Online using a credit card. However, there is a $2 surcharge if you pay with a credit card. Because you must be over 18 to own a credit card in the United States, you can only make purchases as an authorized user on a family member’s credit account. 

One significant drawback is that Missouri youth hunting regulations prohibit exchanging licenses once purchased. The state also forbids the transfer of licenses between individuals. You simply forfeit the permit if your plans change for any reason.

After applying, it typically takes about ten days to process. All e-permits are sent via email or the MO Hunting app unless purchased from a physical location. 

Do Youth Require Hunter Education Certification?

Hunters must be at least 16 years old to complete an online course. This means that those at least six (6) but not older than fifteen (15) years of age don’t need to complete hunter education in Missouri. The only stipulation is they must hunt under the supervision of an adult aged 18 or older who has a valid hunter education card or was born before January 1, 1967.

Missouri Youth Hunting Regulations: Licenses

Archer’s Hunting Permit

Youth hunters between the ages of 6 and 15, both resident and non-resident, are eligible for the permit for $9.50. You can apply more than once to hunt in multiple open counties. This permit allows youth to hunt using bows and arrows during archery season.

• Deer – Youth can take two deer of either sex but only one antlered deer during archery season.
• Turkey – Missouri’s turkey archery season runs consecutively with the deer archery period. You are limited to one male turkey.

Archery Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit

If you wish to hunt in multiple counties, you can purchase several of these permits for $3.50 each. In open counties, the limit stands at one antlerless deer during archery deer season. 

Spring Turkey Hunting Permit

The Midwest state offers the youth an open day at the beginning of the spring turkey season to put their skills to the test. For this, they need a spring turkey hunting permit. The limit is one male turkey, which is deducted from the total of two approved under this license. The youth hunter is allowed only one more turkey when the season officially begins. 

Fall Firearms Turkey Hunting Permit

All resident and non-resident youth planning to use a shotgun on turkey must possess this permit. It costs $6.50. However, it’s not recognized in Scott, Pemiscot, Newton, New Madrid, Mississippi, Dunklin, and McDonald. 

Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit 

This permit gives youth the privilege to hunt deer towards the end of fall. It costs $8.50 and has a limitation of one antlered or antlerless deer. Dogs are completely banned, and the firearm must be above .40 caliber.

Managed Deer Hunting Permit

Youth can apply to take part in a managed hunt. This is where one goes after male deer that don’t meet the species’ standards, such as having deformed antlers. Both non-resident and resident youth can purchase this permit for $8.50.

Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit

For $3.50, youth can hunt one antlerless deer in November. Non-residents must have a Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit or Managed Deer Hunting Permit before applying for this permit.

Adults who accompany youth hunters during firearms deer or turkey season do not need a deer hunting permit. The adult must be at least 18 years old and have completed hunter education.

Lifetime Permits

Lifetime permits are available to residents of Missouri only. The biggest benefit is the accompanying privileges. These permits exempt holders from applying for regular permits, but they don’t extend to deer and turkey hunting. They include:

• Lifetime Conservation Partner Permit – $550 for youth (0 – 15 years).
• Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit – $275

You cannot buy these long-term permits online or from permit vendors. Only by visiting MDC offices or sending a request using the Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Permit Order Form.

Banned Hunting Methods For Youth in Missouri

Here are a few prohibitions you must have in mind if you’re considering hunting in Missouri.

• Archers may not have a firearm while hunting during the archery season.
• Fully automatic weapons are prohibited for all hunting.
• The use of night vision or thermal imaging equipment is strictly forbidden.
• Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game is outlawed.
• You may not use electronically activated calls, or bait.
• Explosives, disorienting substances (tranquilizers), and poisons are prohibited.
• Dogs are not used for deer, turkey, beaver, otter, muskrat, and mink hunting.
• You cannot hunt deer from a boat with an attached motor. They cannot be used to flush out or capture game. An exception exists for people with paraplegia who may hunt from a stationary car.
• Non-resident youth are not allowed to take away trapped furbearers.
• Never destroy any animal habitats you come across.

In Summary

For the best experience, observe all Missouri youth hunting regulations. Failure to do so may lead to fines or cancellation of your permit(s). Ensure you have the necessary permits, whether you’re bowhunting or using a firearm. Also, remember to adhere to firearm and bullet restrictions, bag limits (they may vary on the county level), and only hunt within the set season dates for each game.