Hunting License in Missouri - Steps to Buy Your MO License & Tags

David Harrison  ·  Updated on May 21, 2025

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hunting license in Missouri

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Missouri hunting license:


MO Hunter Education Certification

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online, and your hunter education certificate is accepted by Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for use in Missouri for MO residents and non-residents alike.

After completing the Hunter Ed course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to the state. The state will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card). This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Missouri), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US 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 a person who has lived in Missouri for at least 30 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 available for short-term trips.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

  • Youth Hunting Permit • Reduced-cost permits for residents and non-residents under 16.
    • Must hunt under 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 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 required annually
  • Furbearer Hunting & Trapping Permits • Separate permit required for furbearers such as raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, black bear, etc.
    • Trapping permit 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

As soon as you receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate from completing our course, you are eligible to go and buy your hunting license in whichever states you plan on legally hunting in.

To hunt in Missouri, you can complete your license application and purchase your license either online through the Missouri Department of Conservation's permit portal or in person at various authorized locations.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Missouri: