The Missouri Conservation Commission recently approved the Missouri Department of Conservation’s recommendations for the upcoming 2026 migratory-game-bird and 2026-2027 waterfowl hunting seasons.
The dates, finalized during a March 27 meeting in Jefferson City, remain pending final federal approval. The schedule for migratory birds begins on September 1 with the opening of seasons for mourning, Eurasian collared, and white-winged doves, alongside sora and Virginia rails and Wilson’s snipe. Dove hunters are allowed a combined daily limit of 15 birds, while rail hunters may take up to 25. The American woodcock season is set to follow later in the autumn, running from October 18 through December 1.
Waterfowl hunters can look forward to an early teal season from September 12 - 20, with a daily limit of six birds and shooting hours restricted from sunrise to sunset. The general duck season is divided by geography: the North Zone opens October 31, the Middle Zone features a split season starting November 7, and the South Zone opens briefly in late November before its primary run from December 7 through January 31, 2027. The daily bag limit for ducks is set at six, though specific restrictions apply to species such as mallards, scaup, and northern pintails. Coots may be harvested during the specific duck season dates assigned to each respective zone.
Geese and other migratory species have also been assigned specific windows. The season for white-fronted, Canada, and brant geese generally runs from November 11 through February 6, 2027, with an additional early October window for Canada geese and brant. Snow, blue, and Ross’s geese share this timeframe but transition into the Light Goose Conservation Order from February 7 through April 30, 2027. During this conservation period, daily and possession limits are removed, and hunters are permitted to use electronic calls and unplugged shotguns to help manage populations.
Youth hunting days are scheduled to provide younger hunters with dedicated opportunities before the general seasons open in their respective zones. The North Zone youth dates are October 24 and 25, followed by the Middle Zone on October 31 and November 1, and the South Zone on November 21 and 22. Participants aged 15 or younger must be accompanied by an adult, who may not hunt ducks themselves but can participate in other open seasons. Additionally, specialized falconry seasons have been established, providing extended dates for doves through mid-December and for ducks and coots through March 10, 2027.