Groundhog: Permits

Permits

Buy Permits Now
Small Game Hunting Permit
Limits

Limits are set for each species' hunting or trapping season. Check the species and season listings for information about limits.

Notes

This permit allows you to hunt frogs, birds (except turkey), and mammals (except deer). Missouri residents may sell furbearers taken by hunting.

Furbearers:Nonresidents may not take furbearers with this permit, but may chase furbearers for training dogs during the closed season. They must purchase a Furbearer Hunting and Trapping permit.

Doves, Snipe, Woodcock, Rails: In addition to this permit, you need a Migratory Bird Hunting Permit for hunting doves, snipe, woodcock, and rails.

Waterfowl: In addition to this permit, you need a federal duck stamp and a Migratory Bird Hunting Permit to hunt teal, coots, ducks, and geese.

Conservation Order: The Small Game Hunting permit does not apply to the Conservation Order. A Conservation Order Permit is required for hunting blue, snow, and Ross’s geese during the Conservation Order.

Costs
  • Resident
    $10.00
  • Nonresident
    $94.00

Small Game: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Pistols, revolvers, and rifles propelling a single projectile at one discharge

Guns powered by spring, air, or compressed gas

Shotguns not larger than 10 gauge

Crossbows, which are classified as a firearm method

Shotguns with the magazine cut off or plugged to reduce the capacity to not more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. This restriction does not apply during the Conservation Order for light geese.

Shotguns are the only firearm allowed for hunting game birds (except crow). Pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns may be used to hunt crow.

Bows, which include longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows, illuminated sights, scopes, quickpoint sights and hand-held string releasing mechanisms may be used

Atlatls

Slingshots

Additional Info

In addition to the hunting methods listed above, with a small game hunting permit you may take groundhogs, squirrels, and rabbits with a cage-type trap during that species' open hunting season.

Traps must:

  • be labeled with your full name and address, or Conservation Number;
  • be attended daily; and
  • have an opening of 144 square inches or smaller.

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion statewide and antlerless portion in open counties, only pistols, revolvers, rifles, or shotguns may be used to take rabbits and squirrels. These firearms must fire .22 caliber or smaller rimfire cartridges or shot no larger than No. 4. This restriction does not apply to landowners hunting on land they own.

Small Game: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

Arrows containing any drug, poison, chemical, or explosive.

Motor driven conveyances may not be used to take, drive or molest wildlife. Deer may not be hunted from a boat with a motor attached; however, a motorboat may be used to hunt other wildlife if the motor is shut off and the boat’s forward progress has stopped.

Artificial lights may be used only to hunt bullfrogs and green frogs, or to hunt raccoons and other furbearing animals when treed with the aid of dogs. Using lights to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife is a violation of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Landowners and lessees may use artificial lights on their property, but while doing so may not be in possession of — or be in the company of someone who possesses — a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

Additional Info

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion, dogs may not be used during daylight hours in Butler, Carter, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, and Wayne counties.

Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Limits

Limits are set for each species and hunting or trapping season. Check the species and season listings for information about limits.

Notes

This permit allows you to fish or hunt frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish, live bait, birds (except turkey), and mammals (except deer). Missouri residents may sell furbearers taken by hunting.

Trout: In addition to this permit, a daily trout fishing tag required in trout parks, and a trout permit is required for waters outside of trout parks.

Furbearers: Nonresidents may not take furbearers with this permit, but they may chase furbearers for training dogs during the closed season. They must purchase a Furbearer Hunting and Trapping permit.

Doves, Snipe, Woodcock, Rails: In addition to this permit, you need a Migratory Bird Hunting Permit for hunting doves, snipe, woodcock, and rails.

Waterfowl: In addition to this permit, you need a federal duck stamp and a Migratory Bird Hunting Permit to hunt teal, coots, ducks, and geese.

Conservation Order: The Hunting and Fishing permit does not apply to the Conservation Order. A Conservation Order Permit is required for hunting blue, snow, and Ross’s geese during the Conservation Order.

Costs
  • Resident
    $19.00

Small Game: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Pistols, revolvers, and rifles propelling a single projectile at one discharge

Guns powered by spring, air, or compressed gas

Shotguns not larger than 10 gauge

Crossbows, which are classified as a firearm method

Shotguns with the magazine cut off or plugged to reduce the capacity to not more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. This restriction does not apply during the Conservation Order for light geese.

Shotguns are the only firearm allowed for hunting game birds (except crow). Pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns may be used to hunt crow.

Bows, which include longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows, illuminated sights, scopes, quickpoint sights and hand-held string releasing mechanisms may be used

Atlatls

Slingshots

Additional Info

In addition to the hunting methods listed above, with a small game hunting permit you may take groundhogs, squirrels, and rabbits with a cage-type trap during that species' open hunting season.

Traps must:

  • be labeled with your full name and address, or Conservation Number;
  • be attended daily; and
  • have an opening of 144 square inches or smaller.

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion statewide and antlerless portion in open counties, only pistols, revolvers, rifles, or shotguns may be used to take rabbits and squirrels. These firearms must fire .22 caliber or smaller rimfire cartridges or shot no larger than No. 4. This restriction does not apply to landowners hunting on land they own.

Small Game: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

Arrows containing any drug, poison, chemical, or explosive.

Motor driven conveyances may not be used to take, drive or molest wildlife. Deer may not be hunted from a boat with a motor attached; however, a motorboat may be used to hunt other wildlife if the motor is shut off and the boat’s forward progress has stopped.

Artificial lights may be used only to hunt bullfrogs and green frogs, or to hunt raccoons and other furbearing animals when treed with the aid of dogs. Using lights to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife is a violation of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Landowners and lessees may use artificial lights on their property, but while doing so may not be in possession of — or be in the company of someone who possesses — a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

Additional Info

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion, dogs may not be used during daylight hours in Butler, Carter, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, and Wayne counties.

Nonresident Daily Small Game Permit
Limits

Limits vary by species and season.

Notes

This permit is for nonresident hunters only, and it may be purchased for multiple days.

This permit allows you to hunt frogs, birds (except turkey), and mammals (except deer, elk, and furbearers).

Furbearers: Nonresidents may not take furbearers with this permit, but may chase furbearers for training dogs during the closed season. They must purchase a Furbearer Hunting and Trapping permit.

Doves, Snipe, Woodcock, Rails: In addition to this permit, you need a Migratory Bird Hunting Permit for hunting doves, snipe, woodcock, and rails.

Waterfowl: In addition to this permit, you need a Federal Duck Stamp and a Migratory Bird Hunting Permit to hunt teal, coots, ducks, and geese.

Conservation Order: This permit does not apply to the Conservation Order. A Conservation Order Permit is required for hunting blue, snow, and Ross’s geese during the Light Goose Conservation Order.

Costs
  • Nonresident
    $14.00

Small Game: Hunting: Allowed Methods

Pistols, revolvers, and rifles propelling a single projectile at one discharge

Guns powered by spring, air, or compressed gas

Shotguns not larger than 10 gauge

Crossbows, which are classified as a firearm method

Shotguns with the magazine cut off or plugged to reduce the capacity to not more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. This restriction does not apply during the Conservation Order for light geese.

Shotguns are the only firearm allowed for hunting game birds (except crow). Pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns may be used to hunt crow.

Bows, which include longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows, illuminated sights, scopes, quickpoint sights and hand-held string releasing mechanisms may be used

Atlatls

Slingshots

Additional Info

In addition to the hunting methods listed above, with a small game hunting permit you may take groundhogs, squirrels, and rabbits with a cage-type trap during that species' open hunting season.

Traps must:

  • be labeled with your full name and address, or Conservation Number;
  • be attended daily; and
  • have an opening of 144 square inches or smaller.

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion statewide and antlerless portion in open counties, only pistols, revolvers, rifles, or shotguns may be used to take rabbits and squirrels. These firearms must fire .22 caliber or smaller rimfire cartridges or shot no larger than No. 4. This restriction does not apply to landowners hunting on land they own.

Small Game: Hunting: Prohibited Methods

Arrows containing any drug, poison, chemical, or explosive.

Motor driven conveyances may not be used to take, drive or molest wildlife. Deer may not be hunted from a boat with a motor attached; however, a motorboat may be used to hunt other wildlife if the motor is shut off and the boat’s forward progress has stopped.

Artificial lights may be used only to hunt bullfrogs and green frogs, or to hunt raccoons and other furbearing animals when treed with the aid of dogs. Using lights to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife is a violation of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Landowners and lessees may use artificial lights on their property, but while doing so may not be in possession of — or be in the company of someone who possesses — a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

Additional Info

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion, dogs may not be used during daylight hours in Butler, Carter, Dent, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, and Wayne counties.

Archer's Hunting Permit
Limits
  • Deer: Two deer of either sex, but only one antlered deer may be taken before the main November firearm portion. NOTE: You may take only two antlered deer during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined.
  • Turkeys: Two turkeys of either sex.
  • Furbearers: See Seasons for prescribed limits. Hunters may sell furbearers harvested under this permit. Nonresidents may not harvest furbearers with this permit.
  • Small game: See Seasons for prescribed limits.
Notes

Youth permit is available for resident and nonresident youth hunters.

See if you qualify for a landowner permit.

Costs
  • Resident
    $19.00
  • Resident Landowner
    $0.00
  • Nonresident
    $265.00
  • Nonresident Landowner
    $195.00
  • Youth (6-15)
    $9.50

Deer: Archery Allowed

Longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows of any draw weight

 

Crossbows

Hand-held string-releasing devices

Illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights

Atlatls

Deer: Archery Prohibited

Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

Use of electronic calls, electronically activated calls, bait, dogs, or night vision equipment

Live decoys may not be used to take turkeys.

Motor driven conveyances may not be used to take, drive or molest wildlife. Deer may not be hunted from a boat with a motor attached; however, a motorboat may be used to hunt other wildlife if the motor is shut off and the boat’s forward progress has stopped.

Archers hunting deer or turkeys during the archery season may not be in possession of a firearm. Some exceptions apply. See 3 CSR 10-7.432 and 3 CSR 10-7.455 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

Turkey: Archery: Allowed Methods

Longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows of any draw weight

Crossbows

Hand-held string-releasing devices

Illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights

Atlatls

Crossbows

Turkey: Archery: Prohibited Methods

Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game

Use of electronic calls, electronically activated calls, bait, dogs, or night vision equipment

Live decoys may not be used to take turkeys.

Archers hunting deer or turkeys during the archery season may not be in possession of a firearm. Some exceptions apply. See 3 CSR 10-7.432 and 3 CSR 10-7.455 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

Small Game: Archery: Allowed Methods

Longbow, compound bow, or recurve bow of any draw weight

Atlatls, which are defined as a rod or narrow board-like device used to launch, through a throwing motion of the arm, a dart 5 to 8 feet long

Hand-held string releasing devices

Illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights

Crossbow 

Small Game: Archery: Prohibited Methods

Arrows containing any drug, poison, chemical or explosive.

Motor driven conveyances may not be used to take, drive or molest wildlife. 

Artificial lights may be used only to hunt bullfrogs and green frogs, or to hunt raccoons and other furbearing animals when treed with the aid of dogs. Using lights to search for, spot, illuminate, harass, or disturb other wildlife is a violation of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Landowners and lessees may use artificial lights on their property, but while doing so may not be in possession of — or be in the company of someone who possesses — a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

Additional Info

Special Provision During the Firearms Deer Season: During the November portion statewide and antlerless portion in open counties, other wildlife may be hunted only with a shotgun and shot not larger than No. 4 or a .22 or smaller caliber rimfire rifle. This does not apply to waterfowl hunters, trappers, or to landowners on their land.

Groundhog: Archery: Allowed Methods

Longbow, compound bow, or recurve bow of any draw weight

Atlatls, which are defined as a rod or narrow board-like device used to launch, through a throwing motion of the arm, a dart 5 to 8 feet long

Hand-held string releasing devices

Illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights

Crossbow

Additional Info

You may take groundhogs with a cage-type trap at any hour during the open hunting season if you possess a hunting permit. The cage-type trap must be labeled with your full name and address, or Conservation ID number; must be attended daily; and have an opening of 144 square inches or smaller.

Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Notes

This permit carries the same privileges as the Resident Hunting and Fishing Permit, Trout Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and Conservation Order Permit. Deer and turkey hunting privileges are not included. A Federal Duck Stamp is required for hunting waterfowl.

You must be a Missouri resident to purchase this permit.

This permit is not available online or from permit vendors. Use the Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Permit Order Form to request this permit.

Costs
  • Youth (0-15)
    $550.00
  • Age 16-29
    $800.00
  • Age 30-39
    $700.00
  • Age 40-59
    $600.00
  • Age 60-64
    $70.00
Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only)
Notes

This permit carries the same privileges as the Resident Small Game Hunting Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and Conservation Order Permit. Deer and turkey hunting privileges are not included. A Federal Duck Stamp is required for hunting waterfowl.

You must be a Missouri resident to purchase this permit.

This permit is not available online or from permit vendors. Use the Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Permit Order Form to request this permit.

Costs
  • Youth (0-15)
    $275.00
  • Age 16-29
    $400.00
  • Age 30-39
    $350.00
  • Age 40-59
    $300.00
  • Age 60-64
    $35.00
Military Reduced Cost Permit
Notes

Reduced cost Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permits are for Missouri residents who are currently (or have in the last 12 months) mobilized and serving on full-time active military duty in the National Guard (federal status) or reserve forces of the United States.

This permit allows them to take fish, frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish, live bait, birds (except turkey), mammals (except deer), and to sell furbearers taken by hunting.

Application Requirements:

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1967, is required to be hunter education certified. A copy of your hunter education certificate must be included with the application. (Military training and certification do not apply.) A copy of orders reflecting mobilization dates must be submitted with the application.

In addition to this permit:

  • A Trout Permit is required to possess trout, except in trout parks where you must purchase a daily trout fishing tag.
  • A Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit also is required for hunting waterfowl, doves, snipe, woodcock, and rails.
  • A Federal Duck Stamp is required for hunting waterfowl.
  • A Conservation Order Permit is required for hunting snow, blue, and Ross’s geese during the Light Goose Conservation Order.

​Complete and send the application form to:

Missouri Department of Conservation
Attn: Permit Services – Military Honors Permit
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180

Please allow 10 days after submitting your application for your permit to arrive.

This permit is not available for purchase at vendors, by telephone, or online.

Some military may hunt and fish without a permit. Check permit exemptions to learn more.

Costs
  • Resident
    $5.00