Missouri

Sub-species: Eastern

Tags: Over the counter plus limited Spring Managed Hunts

Application Period: Feb 1-28

Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment: YES

Hunter Education Required: Yes for anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1967

Bag Limit: 2 bearded turkeys per season (only one per day).  Only one during the first week. Nonresident hunters are limited to one.

2026 Spring Season Dates: April 20- May 10

2025 Fall Season Dates:

Archery – Nov 26 – Jan 15

Firearms – Oct 1-31

Special Youth Hunt: April 11-12

Special Disabled Hunt: No

Decoys Allowed: Yes

Tagging Instructions: 

Hunters who harvest a turkey must void their permit immediately by notching the month and day of harvest.  As long as you stay with your harvested turkey, you don’t need to attach your notched permit to the bird, but you must keep your permit on hand. If you leave your turkey, you must attach your permit to the turkey’s leg.  Turkeys must then be Telechecked by 10pm on the day of harvest either through the MO Hunting App, over the internet, or by calling 800-314-6828.

Noteworthy Restrictions: Hunting hours are from half hour before sunrise till 1 p.m. on public land.  Hunting hours on private land are one half hour before sunrise till sunset.  You may only harvest one turkey in the first week of season.  Youth hunters who are successful during the youth season can now harvest their second bird during the first week of season. Mentors must possess a valid hunting permit for the appropriate season or be exempt. In the case of turkey permits, the mentor’s permit can be filled or unfilled.  Use of bait is prohibited however it is legal to hunt over a harvested grain field and also legal to manipulate crops such as mowing or knocking them down.  Shot larger than #4 is prohibited. 

Missouri Department of Conservation

573-751-4115

Purchase License Online

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys