MDC changes regulations for upcoming deer season

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters, landowners, and others of changes to regulations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri for the upcoming deer-hunting season. The changes focus on simplifying regulations and responding to public input. 

Reduced Buck Limit for Nonresidents 

MDC has reduced the antlered buck limit for those hunting on nonresident deer hunting permits from two to one. Nonresidents who qualify for nonresident landowner permits will maintain an antlered buck harvest limit of two.  

MDC notes that the number of nonresident deer hunters in Missouri has increased by nearly 50% in the last 10 years and there has been an increasing number of resident hunters who have expressed concern about the impacts to land access and their hunting experiences. This regulation change aims to address resident hunters’ concerns and helps alleviate increasing pressure from nonresident deer hunting.  

Early Youth Portion Moved Earlier 

MDC has moved the Early Youth Portion one week earlier this year to Oct. 24 and 25 to help avoid conflicts with Halloween activities at the end of October. The Early Youth Portion typically occurs two weekends prior to the November portion. This year it will occur three weekends prior. 

MDC has removed the antler-point restriction (APR) for the final 18 counties where it was most recently in place. Yearling bucks, which the APR protects, travel many miles and can spread chronic wasting disease (CWD) long distances. Removing the APR will help to minimize the spread of CWD while also simplifying regulations. 

CWD Management Zones Removed 

MDC has removed the designations of the CWD Management Zone. A majority of Missouri counties either have had a case of CWD or are within 10 miles of a confirmed case of the disease, so a designated CWD Management Zone is no longer needed. Removing the CWD Management Zone also helps simplify regulations for hunters. 

Prohibiting Feed and Minerals for Deer Continues 

Placing feed and mineral for deer has been prohibited in counties close to where CWD has been detected since CWD was first found in Missouri. Placing feed and mineral for deer artificially congregates them, resulting in an increased risk of disease transmission.  

MDC has removed the CWD Portion of firearms deer season to simplify the structure of the season while not significantly affecting deer harvest. 

Mandatory CWD Sampling Moved to County Rotations 

MDC has moved mandatory CWD sampling during the opening weekend of the November Portion of the firearms deer season to a four-year county rotation. Mandatory CWD sampling will now be conducted in every county of the state once every four years.  

According to MDC, conducting mandatory CWD sampling on a county rotation will allow staff to continue to monitor CWD where it exists and allow for early detections in new areas. A mandatory sampling rotation also simplifies the mandatory sampling requirement for hunters. 

Mandatory sampling for this season will be conducted in 28 counties on Nov. 14 and 15. 

Changes to CWD Management Permits 

MDC has increased the minimum acreage requirement for CWD Management Permits and simplified the application process. Landowners are now required to have at least 20 contiguous acres in a CWD Core Area to receive CWD Management Permits. The change will make the acreage requirement consistent with other no-cost landowner deer hunting permits, reducing potential confusion for landowners.  

MDC has also simplified the application process. Qualifying landowners in CWD Core Areas can receive five, no-cost, CWD Management Permits for use on their property during deer season and will receive a notice in the mail from MDC about the permit application process. 

As a result of public engagement and continued evaluation, MDC will not conduct targeted deer removals after the season and currently has no plans to resume the activity. 

Instead, MDC staff will work with hunters, landowners, and other partners to develop a localized approach in which hunter harvest is the primary tool to manage deer numbers and CWD during the regular deer season. 

Learn more about these regulation changes and get other information on deer hunting in Missouri from the MDC 2026 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet available online at mdc.mo.gov, at MDC offices and nature centers, and other places where permits are sold.