Fall Hunting Seasons

by Tyler Green

As this summer nears its end, hunters are looking forward to shorter days and cooler weather and the start of the numerous opportunities to hunt our plentiful game animals.

Dove season seems to be the unofficial start to the fall hunting seasons. Keeping with the past, the dove opener is on Sept. 1st. Consult MDC regional offices for managed dove fields on conservation areas this season.

Teal season opens Sept. 12 and is open until Sept. 27. As always, weather will play a major role in local teal numbers and success.

Archery Deer and Turkey, Firearms Turkey, Firearms Deer Youth Portions, Firearms Deer, Firearms Antlerless, and Firearms Deer Alternative Method Seasons will all be open on their respective dates. The 2020 Fall Deer and Turkey regulations book or the MDC website can be consulted for those specific seasons and limits.

A couple changes to regulations this year should be noted. The minimum amount of acreage for no-cost resident landowner permits has changed from 5 to 20 contiguous acres. Also, if a landowner is obtaining landowner permits, they must fill out a Landowner Permit Application. This can be done online or through an MDC office. It’s very important to get the Landowner Permit Application completed well in advance of the fall deer and turkey hunting seasons so there won’t be a delay in getting landowner permits.

CWD mandatory sampling will continue this year for deer harvested in CWD Management Zones on Nov. 14 and 15. MDC is monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and will re-evaluate by Nov. 1 mandatory CWD sampling requirements.

Some of the often overlooked, but most enjoyable hunting seasons are the upland small game seasons for rabbit or quail. Walking brushy fields with beagles or bird dogs can be a great way to spend a crisp fall or winter day. MDC manages several areas specifically for these small game animals.

Waterfowl seasons and limits can be found in the Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest that is available at permit vendors, MDC offices and online.

One thing to note is that waterfowl drawing methods may change some this year due to COVID-19. Further information will become available as those seasons approach.

Wise management of our game animals makes Missouri a great place to hunt in the fall. Take advantage of these open seasons and take a child with you to teach them how hunters play an integral role in wildlife management and the future of hunting in Missouri.

Questions? Call Cedar County Conservation Agent Tyler Green 417/327-5378.