Missouri law is clear: due to state regulations, hunters age 11–15 hunting alone with a firearm, and anyone 16 or older born after January 1, 1967, must complete hunter education to buy a firearms‐season permit.
Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Missouri hunting license:
- Step 1: Complete a Hunter Education Certification course
- Step 2: Select your license type
- Step 3: Purchase your Missouri Department of Conservation license online or in person through a licensed agent.
MO Hunter Education Certification
How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)
You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Missouri. The first 2 are presented by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The last is through us at HunterSafetyUSA & will successfully get you certified across all 50 US States.
- Option 1: Two-Step Format for Ages 11 and Older. This consists of either a classroom, online, or self-study portion AND a 4-hour in-person field day.
- Option 2: An online course through a Missouri Department of Conservation exclusive partner, if you're over 16. These courses will require you to read through the content, as well as watch some videos.
- Option 3: Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course & we are the fastest.
The Missouri Department of Conservation website states that "If you can prove you completed an approved hunter education course in another state, you are not required to take Missouri’s Hunter Education Course." Therefore, the certificate/card you're granted from HunterSafetyUSA will satisfy this requirement.
What makes our course the best?
First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they love it that much.
Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.
After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.
We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including Missouri), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.
Select Your Hunting License in Missouri
Missouri offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences. Below is an overview of the primary license types available:
Resident Licenses
A resident is an individual who has resided in Missouri for at least 30 consecutive days.
Active-duty military members and non-resident students who live in Missouri and attend a school in Missouri are considered residents.
All Missouri residents ages 16 to 64 must have the appropriate resident permit for the species hunted.
- Resident Hunting Permit • Required for residents aged 16 and older to hunt wildlife (except deer and turkey).
• Valid for small game, frogs, birds, and some furbearers.
• Does not include deer, turkey, or migratory birds. - Resident Firearms Any-Deer Permit • Required to hunt deer during firearms season.
• Must be accompanied by a Resident Hunting Permit unless otherwise exempt. - Resident Spring Turkey Hunting Permit / Fall Turkey Permit • Separate permits required for turkey seasons.
• Includes bag limits for the respective season. - Resident Landowner Permits • Residents owning qualifying land may receive free permits for deer and turkey hunting on their land.
- Resident Archer’s Hunting Permit • Required for deer and turkey hunting during archery season.
• Does not allow firearm use for deer or turkey. - Resident Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit • Combination permit for residents that includes small game hunting and fishing privileges.
Non-Resident Hunting Licenses
- Non-Resident Hunting Permit • Required for all non-residents aged 16+ to hunt small game.
• Does not include deer or turkey. - Non-Resident Firearms Any-Deer Permit • Required for deer hunting during firearms season.
• Must be paired with a valid non-resident hunting permit. - Non-Resident Spring or Fall Turkey Permits • Required for turkey hunting by non-residents.
- Non-Resident Archery Hunting Permit • Required for archery deer or turkey season.
- Non-Resident Small Game Daily Permits • 1-day and 3-day small game permits are available for short-term trips.
Youth Licenses & Requirements
- Youth Hunting Permit • Reduced-cost permits for residents and non-residents under 16.
• Must hunt under the direct supervision of a licensed adult.
• Includes options for deer, turkey, and small game depending on season. - Apprentice Hunter Authorization • For individuals age 16+ who have not yet completed hunter education.
• Allows hunting under the supervision of a licensed hunter age 18+.
• Can be purchased for up to two years before completing hunter education.
Senior Licenses & Discounts
- Senior Resident Hunting & Fishing Permit Exemption • Residents aged 65+ do not need a hunting or fishing permit for small game or fishing.
• Still require turkey, deer, and waterfowl permits where applicable.
• Must carry proof of age and residency while hunting.
Lifetime Permits (Residents Only)
- Lifetime Conservation Partner Permits • Available for residents only.
• Cover hunting and fishing for life, including small game, elk, and some big game.
• Turkey and deer permits may still be required annually, depending on the tier purchased.
• Age-based pricing tiers available (Youth, Adult, Senior).
Disability & Military Licenses
- Disabled Resident Permits • Reduced-cost hunting permits available for residents with certified permanent disabilities.
• May include deer, turkey, and small game. - Military Exemptions • Active-duty military stationed in Missouri may qualify for resident permits.
• Missouri residents on active military duty outside the state may qualify for reduced-cost or exempt permits.
Required Endorsements & Tags
- Deer Hunting Permits • Firearms Deer Permit
• Antlerless Deer Permit
• Archery Deer Permit
• Bonus Antlerless Deer Permits (county-based availability) - Turkey Hunting Permits • Spring Turkey Hunting Permit
• Fall Firearms Turkey Permit
• Archery Turkey Permit - Migratory Bird Hunting Requirements • Missouri Migratory Bird Permit (required for doves, ducks, geese, etc.)
• Federal Duck Stamp (required for hunters 16+ hunting waterfowl)
• HIP (Harvest Information Program) registration is required annually - Furbearer Hunting & Trapping Permits • A Separate permit is required for furbearers such as raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, black bears, etc.
• A trapping permit is required for using traps or snares.
Missouri Hunting licenses are good from the date of purchase through the last day of February, following state hunting regulations. Missouri residents are able to purchase a lifetime hunting permit.
Where to buy your Missouri Hunting License
To hunt in Missouri, you can purchase your license either online through the Missouri Department of Conservation's permit portal, over the phone, at the MDO office or in person at various authorized locations.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Missouri:
- Bass Pro Shops – Springfield, MO Address: 1935 S Campbell Ave, Springfield, MO 65807 Phone: (417) 887-7334
- Walmart Supercenter – Columbia, MO Address: 415 Conley Rd, Columbia, MO 65201 Phone: (573) 499-4935
- Academy Sports + Outdoors – St. Louis, MO 5214 I-70 North Outer Rd, St Peters, MO 63376 Phone: (636)278-7600
- Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center – Eureka, MO Address: 1100 Antire Rd, Eureka, MO 63025 Phone: (636) 938-9548
- Runge Conservation Nature Center – Jefferson City, MO Address: 330 Commerce Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65109 Phone: (573) 526-5544
For more information, you can contact:
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
Contact Information: Phone: (573) 751-4115 Website: mdc.mo.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get your Hunter Education Certificate?
$29. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, all major credit cards, and signature debit cards. We also offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Missouri?
Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Alabama and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Missouri Department of Conservation website states that "If you can prove you completed an approved hunter education course in another state, you are not required to take Missouri’s Hunter Education Course." Therefore, the certificate/card you're granted from HunterSafetyUSA will satisfy this requirement.
How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?
Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.
Do you have to have a hunter safety course to hunt in Missouri?
Missouri law is clear: due to state regulations, hunters aged 11–15 who hunt alone with a firearm, and anyone 16 or older born after January 1, 1967, must complete hunter education (a hunter safety course, such as ours at HunterSafetyUSA) to purchase a firearms-season permit.