Missouri waterfowl laws

Official sources used on this page (all checked Oct 22, 2026)

• [MO-1] MDC 2026–2027 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest (PDF): https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/2026-06/2026%20MBWHD_508.pdf checked Oct 22, 2026
• [MO-2] MDC Waterfowl hunting page: https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl checked Oct 22, 2026
• [MO-3] MDC Duck Zones: https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl/duck-zones checked Oct 22, 2026
• [MO-4] MDC In-Season Application Dates (managed areas): https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl/managed-hunts-waterfowl/season-application-dates checked Oct 22, 2026
• [MO-5] MDC Waterfowl Reservations and Draw Procedures: https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl/managed-hunts-waterfowl/waterfowl-reservations-draw-procedures checked Oct 22, 2026
• [MO-6] MDC Waterfowl Area Draw Times: https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl/managed-hunts-waterfowl/waterfowl-area-draw-times checked Oct 22, 2026
• [MO-7] MDC Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas: https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl/managed-hunts-waterfowl/managed-waterfowl-hunt-areas checked Oct 22, 2026
• [MO-8] Wildlife Code of Missouri, 3 CSR 10-4 (PDF, includes 3 CSR 10-4.120 Boundary Waters): https://s1.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/current/3csr/3c10-4.pdf checked Oct 22, 2026
• [MO-9] MDC conservation area pages (area rules under 3 CSR 10-11), for example Otter Slough: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/otter-slough-conservation-area checked Oct 22, 2026
• [FED-1] 50 CFR Part 20 (eCFR, current through Oct 20, 2026): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-20 checked Oct 22, 2026
• [FED-2] USFWS Federal Duck Stamp: https://www.fws.gov/program/federal-duck-stamp checked Oct 22, 2026

Page numbers below are the digest's printed page numbers.

1. What you need to carry (licenses, stamps, permits)

Ducks, geese and coots: three permits at age 16 and up, in paper, plastic or electronic form. [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026

• A small game hunting permit: Resident Small Game Hunting Permit ($11.50), Resident Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit ($22.50), Nonresident Small Game Hunting Permit ($108.50) or Daily Small Game Hunting Permit ($16, one day). [MO-1 p.6] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Migratory Bird Hunting Permit: new for 2026, it is now split into a Resident ($8) and a Nonresident ($60) permit. Required of every migratory bird hunter 16 and up, landowners included. [MO-1 p.3, 6] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Federal Duck Stamp: age 16 and up. MDC sells the e-Stamp for $32, which includes a $7 handling fee. Paper stamps are $25 at some post offices and must be signed in ink across the face. [MO-1 p.5–6] [FED-2] checked Oct 22, 2026
  • The e-Stamp is good for the whole season; you no longer need to carry the paper stamp once you have it. Duck stamps are not sold at waterfowl hunting areas. [MO-1 p.5] checked Oct 22, 2026
• No state duck stamp. Missouri's state requirement is the Migratory Bird Hunting Permit. [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026

Who doesn't need a small game permit [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026

• Missouri residents 65 and older. They still need the Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and the Federal Duck Stamp. [MO-1 p.4, 6] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Resident landowners hunting their own land (as defined in 3 CSR 10-20.805). [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Veterans with a service-related disability of 60% or more, former prisoners of war, and service members assigned as patients to a Warrior Transition unit or military medical center. Carry the eligibility papers. [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026

Young hunters (15 and under) [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026

• No permits needed. [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Must hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult 18 or older who has hunter education or was born before Jan 1, 1967, or carry their own hunter-education card. [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026

Nonresidents

• Nonresident Small Game Hunting Permit ($108.50) or the Daily Small Game Hunting Permit ($16), plus the Nonresident Migratory Bird Hunting Permit ($60) and the Federal Duck Stamp. [MO-1 p.6] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Nonresidents can't apply for managed-area reservations. They can join the morning draw ("poor line") or hunt with a resident who holds a reservation. [MO-1 p.27] checked Oct 22, 2026

Light Goose Conservation Order (Feb 7–Apr 30, 2027): the Conservation Order Permit is the only permit needed. Resident $5.50, nonresident $54. [MO-1 p.4, 6, 17] checked Oct 22, 2026

HIP: MDC's digest doesn't use the term "HIP" or describe a separate HIP sign-up. Whether the Migratory Bird Hunting Permit is how Missouri meets the federal HIP rule (50 CFR 20.20) is Not confirmed (check the official source) [MO-1 p.4] [FED-1 §20.20] checked Oct 22, 2026

2. Hunter education

• Who needs it: you must have passed an approved hunter-education course (any state) to buy firearms hunting permits, unless you were born before Jan 1, 1967. [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Exceptions: youth 15 and under hunting in the immediate presence of a qualified adult (section 1); hunters using an Apprentice Hunter Authorization; people with a developmental disability (3 CSR 10-5.205). [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Apprentice Hunter Authorization: for hunters 16 and up without a card. Buy the authorization, then the permits, and hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult with a card (or born before Jan 1, 1967). [MO-1 p.5] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Minimum age to take Missouri's course: 11. [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026

3. 2026-27 season dates

Missouri has three duck zones (North, Middle and South). The boundaries changed slightly for 2026–2030; see the zone map and written description. [MO-1 p.3, 15, 30] [MO-3] checked Oct 22, 2026

Youth days [MO-1 p.13] checked Oct 22, 2026

• Ages 15 and under, with an adult 18 or older. Adults may not hunt ducks, but may hunt other open seasons. [MO-1 p.13] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Youth need no permit. If the youth has a hunter-education card, the adult needs neither a card nor a permit. If not, the adult needs hunter education (or born before Jan 1, 1967) and a Missouri small game permit or an exemption. [MO-1 p.13] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Limits on youth days are the regular duck limits, with 2 scaup a day, plus the goose limits. [MO-1 p.13] checked Oct 22, 2026

Managed-area reservation windows (in-season, weekly) [MO-4] checked Oct 22, 2026

• Registration opens Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. and closes Monday at 3 p.m. The drawing runs Monday at 4 p.m., notices go out at 8 p.m., and results post online Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. [MO-4] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Pre-season reservation applications were taken Sept 1–18 (closed). [MO-1 p.27] checked Oct 22, 2026

4. Daily bag and possession limits

Ducks: 6 a day. That can include no more than: [MO-1 p.14] [MO-2] checked Oct 22, 2026

• 4 mallards (no more than 2 hens) [MO-1 p.14] [MO-2] checked Oct 22, 2026
• 3 pintails [MO-1 p.14] [MO-2] checked Oct 22, 2026
• 3 wood ducks [MO-1 p.14] [MO-2] checked Oct 22, 2026
• 2 black ducks [MO-1 p.14] [MO-2] checked Oct 22, 2026
• 2 canvasbacks [MO-1 p.14] [MO-2] checked Oct 22, 2026
• 2 hooded mergansers (these count inside the 6-duck limit) [MO-1 p.14] [MO-2] checked Oct 22, 2026
• 2 redheads [MO-1 p.14] [MO-2] checked Oct 22, 2026
• 1 mottled duck [MO-1 p.14] [MO-2] checked Oct 22, 2026

Scaup (greater and lesser combined): 2 a day for the first 45 days of the zone's season, then 1 a day for the last 15. [MO-1 p.14] checked Oct 22, 2026

• North Zone: 2 a day Oct 31–Dec 14; 1 a day Dec 15–29. [MO-1 p.14] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Middle Zone: 2 a day Nov 7–Dec 13 and Dec 19–26; 1 a day Dec 27–Jan 10. [MO-1 p.14] checked Oct 22, 2026
• South Zone: 2 a day Nov 26–29 and Dec 7–Jan 16; 1 a day Jan 17–31. [MO-1 p.14] checked Oct 22, 2026

Other daily limits [MO-1 p.12, 14, 16–17] checked Oct 22, 2026

• Coots: 15 (45 in possession) [MO-1 p.12, 14, 16–17] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Teal season (closed): 6 teal, 18 in possession [MO-1 p.12, 14, 16–17] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Canada geese and brant: 3 combined [MO-1 p.12, 14, 16–17] checked Oct 22, 2026
• White-fronted geese: 2 [MO-1 p.12, 14, 16–17] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Light geese (snow, blue, Ross's): 20, no possession limit. No daily or possession limit during the Conservation Order. [MO-1 p.12, 14, 16–17] checked Oct 22, 2026

Possession limit: 3 times the daily limit for ducks, coots, Canada geese, brant and white-fronted geese. [MO-1 p.13–14, 16] checked Oct 22, 2026

• ⚠ Sources disagree on pintails: the digest's limits page says possession is 3 times the daily limit (9 pintails), but the Wildlife Code text printed in the same digest (3 CSR 10-7.440) lists "three (3) pintails" in possession. Not confirmed (check the official source). Until MDC clears it up, the cautious reading is 3 pintails in possession. [MO-1 p.14, 30] checked Oct 22, 2026

5. Shooting hours

• Ducks, coots and geese (including youth days): a half hour before sunrise to sunset. [MO-1 p.13–14, 16] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Teal season: sunrise to sunset. [MO-1 p.12] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Light Goose Conservation Order: a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. [MO-1 p.17] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Managed areas: many close at 1 p.m., some at sunset (section 9). Waterfowl hunting is not allowed after 1 p.m. on designated portions of the areas listed in 3 CSR 10-11.186. [MO-1 p.28] [MO-9] checked Oct 22, 2026

6. Guns and shot

• Gun: shotgun 10 gauge or smaller, plugged to hold no more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. During the Conservation Order you may use a gun that holds more than 3. [MO-1 p.14, 17] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Shot: nontoxic shot is required for all duck, goose and coot hunting statewide, wherever you hunt. Lead shot is also banned for all hunting on a list of conservation areas. [MO-1 p.14, 38] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Also banned: rifles and pistols, single-projectile loads, punt and swivel guns. [MO-1 p.14] checked Oct 22, 2026

7. Banned methods

• Recorded or electronically amplified calls: banned. Mechanical calls switched on and off electronically are allowed, as long as they can't make recorded or amplified sounds. E-calls are allowed during the Conservation Order. [MO-1 p.14, 17, 31] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Bait: you may not hunt over a baited area. An area stays baited for 10 days after the bait is completely removed. [MO-1 p.36] [FED-1 §20.21(i)] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Also banned: live decoys; sinkboxes and other low-floating devices that hide you below the water; hunting from motor vehicles and aircraft (paraplegics and people missing one or both legs may hunt from a stationary vehicle); lights that cast a beam on game; night vision and thermal equipment. [MO-1 p.14] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Drones: using manned or unmanned aircraft to harass, hunt or flush wildlife is banned. [MO-1 p.38] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Motorized or spinning-wing decoys: no ban found in the digest. Not confirmed (check the official source) checked Oct 22, 2026

8. Boats and motors

• Shooting from a boat: only after the motor is shut off and/or the sails furled and the boat has stopped moving. [MO-1 p.14] checked Oct 22, 2026
• On conservation areas: motors over 10 hp must run at slow, no-wake speed. [MO-1 p.38] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Area boat rules (3 CSR 10-11.160, as printed on MDC area pages): boats may not be left unattended overnight; houseboats, airboats and personal watercraft are banned; only electric motors on lakes and ponds under 70 acres. [MO-9] checked Oct 22, 2026

9. Managed-area and conservation-area rules

How spots are handed out on MDC's 13 managed waterfowl hunting areas [MO-1 p.27] [MO-5] checked Oct 22, 2026

• Half of each area's spots go to reservation holders: half of those by the pre-season drawing, half by the weekly in-season drawing. The other half go to the morning draw, the "poor line." [MO-1 p.27] [MO-5] checked Oct 22, 2026
• You must be a properly licensed Missouri resident to apply for a reservation. Anyone properly licensed can join the poor line. [MO-1 p.27] [MO-5] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Reservation holders check in before the posted draw time; adults show photo ID other than the hunting license. Every party must register before draw time. [MO-1 p.27] [MO-5] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Reservation holders get a random pill number after the weekly drawing. Poor-line pills are drawn at the area; lowest number picks first, mixing reservation holders and poor-line parties. [MO-1 p.27] [MO-5] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Party size: 4 at most, observers and youth included (except during youth season). One decoy spread per party; you can't split or merge parties after the draw. [MO-1 p.27] [MO-5] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Only one morning drawing per person per day, and only one Daily Waterfowl Hunting Tag at a time. [MO-1 p.27] [MO-5] checked Oct 22, 2026

The 13 managed areas (closing time) [MO-1 p.28] [MO-7] checked Oct 22, 2026

• B.K. Leach (1 p.m.), Bob Brown (1 p.m.), Duck Creek (1 p.m. in designated areas), Eagle Bluffs (1 p.m.; construction may affect hunting this season), Fountain Grove (1 p.m. in designated areas), Four Rivers (sunset), Grand Pass (1 p.m.), Marais Temps Clair (1 p.m.; waterfowl hunting Friday–Monday only), Nodaway Valley (1 p.m. west side, sunset east side), Otter Slough (1 p.m.), Schell-Osage (see below), Ted Shanks (1 p.m.) and Ten Mile Pond (sunset). [MO-1 p.28] [MO-7] checked Oct 22, 2026
• ⚠ Schell-Osage: the digest says waterfowl hunting is closed for 2026–27 pending completion of the wetland renovation [MO-1 p.28]. MDC's area page says the renovation is complete and the area reopened Oct 3, 2026, and lists a morning draw. Not confirmed (check the official source). Call the area office (417-853-4595) before you go. checked Oct 22, 2026
• Bob Brown, Nodaway Valley and Ted Shanks are often frozen by mid-December. When they are, MDC stops the morning draw and switches to self check-in. [MO-6] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Draw times change through the season and are posted for each area, with a phone information line for each. [MO-6] checked Oct 22, 2026

Area rules printed on MDC area pages (3 CSR 10-11) [MO-9] checked Oct 22, 2026

• Waterfowl may be taken only by holders of a valid area Daily Waterfowl Hunting Tag, from a blind or designated spot. Check out right after your hunt by completing and returning the tag. [MO-9] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Decoys and blinds must be taken down and removed daily; blinds built on site may only use willows. [MO-9] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Parts of most areas are closed to protect waterfowl from Oct 15 to Mar 1 (some to Mar 31, or to the end of the zone's duck season). Signs and area maps show where. [MO-9] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Areas are open 4 a.m.–10 p.m.; hunting and launching boats are allowed 24 hours where permitted. [MO-9] checked Oct 22, 2026

ADA blinds: reserve through the same pre-season (up to five areas) and weekly in-season systems; show a Hunting Method Exemption or a Department of Revenue hangtag at the area. [MO-1 p.27] checked Oct 22, 2026

10. Wanton waste, tagging and transport

• Transport: keep the head or one fully feathered wing on every bird until it reaches your home or a processor. [MO-1 p.30, 37] [FED-1 §20.43] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Tagging: birds left with anyone or anywhere other than your home need a tag signed by the hunter with address, number and species and the date killed. [MO-1 p.37] [FED-1 §20.36] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Wanton waste: make a reasonable effort to retrieve every bird and keep it in the field. [MO-1 p.36] [FED-1 §20.25] checked Oct 22, 2026
• When state and federal rules differ, follow the stricter one. [MO-1 p.36] checked Oct 22, 2026

11. Reciprocity on the Mississippi, Missouri and other boundary rivers

• Missouri's boundary-waters rule says privileges on waters shared with a neighboring state are "as mutually agreed upon" by the Conservation Commission and that state. [MO-8] checked Oct 22, 2026
• No waterfowl hunting reciprocity agreement with Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas or Oklahoma appears in the 2026–27 digest. MDC's published reciprocal privileges cover fishing. Not confirmed (check the official source). Until an agency confirms otherwise, carry the license of the state where you are standing or anchored. checked Oct 22, 2026

12. Penalties

• Not confirmed (check the official source) No waterfowl-specific penalty amounts appear in the MDC pages checked. checked Oct 22, 2026

FAQ

• When does Missouri duck season open in 2026? It depends on the zone: North Zone Oct 31, Middle Zone Nov 7 and South Zone Nov 26, 2026. [MO-1 p.14] checked Oct 22, 2026
• What permits do I need to duck hunt in Missouri? At 16 and up: a small game hunting permit, the Resident or Nonresident Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and the Federal Duck Stamp. [MO-1 p.4] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Can nonresidents hunt Missouri's managed waterfowl areas? Yes, through the morning draw ("poor line") or with a Missouri resident who holds a reservation. Only residents can apply for reservations. [MO-1 p.27] checked Oct 22, 2026
• How many hooded mergansers can I shoot in Missouri? 2 a day, and they count inside the 6-duck limit. [MO-1 p.14] checked Oct 22, 2026
• Can I use an electronic call for ducks in Missouri? No recorded or amplified calls. Electronically switched mechanical calls are allowed, and e-calls are legal during the Light Goose Conservation Order. [MO-1 p.14, 17] checked Oct 22, 2026

This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official regulations are the final word.

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