Missouri Rifle Deer Season 2026-27
Opens in 12 daysMissouri's firearms deer season — commonly called rifle season — runs November 14–24, 2026 for the main November portion, with additional early and late antlerless and youth windows in October, November, and December.
Zones & dates
- Opens in 12 days
Open counties
Firearms - early antlerless
- Opens
- October 9, 2026
- Closes
- October 11, 2026
- Bag limit
- See official regulations for bag limits.
- Opens in 27 days
Statewide
Firearms - early youth
- Opens
- October 24, 2026
- Closes
- October 25, 2026
- Bag limit
- See official regulations for bag limits.
- Opens in 48 days
Statewide
Firearms - November portion
- Opens
- November 14, 2026
- Closes
- November 24, 2026
- Bag limit
- See official regulations for bag limits.
- Opens in 61 days
Statewide
Firearms - late youth
- Opens
- November 27, 2026
- Closes
- November 29, 2026
- Bag limit
- See official regulations for bag limits.
- Opens in 69 days
Open counties
Firearms - late antlerless
- Opens
- December 5, 2026
- Closes
- December 13, 2026
- Bag limit
- See official regulations for bag limits.
Legal equipment
Missouri's firearms season allows centerfire firearms loaded per the state's caliber and cartridge rules — some states restrict certain zones to straight-wall or shotgun-only ammunition. Confirm the exact list of legal calibers, ammunition types, and any zone-specific firearm restrictions with Missouri's wildlife agency before you hunt.
Tags and antlerless rules during rifle season
Tag allowances and antlerless-only windows vary by zone and by segment within Missouri's deer season — some of the dates in the table above are antlerless-only, while others allow either sex. Review each zone row for its specific rules, and confirm current tag limits, antler-point restrictions, and any special antlerless permits required for the rifle season with Missouri's wildlife agency.
How rifle season overlaps archery and muzzleloader
Missouri's wildlife agency calls this whole block “firearms season” — most hunters refer to the main November portion as “rifle season.” It opens the day after archery segment one closes, runs through several youth and antlerless-only windows in open counties, and hands off to the alternative-methods (muzzleloader) portion December 26.
What changed for 2026-27
Season dates are set annually by Missouri's wildlife agency and can shift from year to year based on herd surveys, weather, and management goals. The dates above reflect the official 2026–27 season as published by the Missouri wildlife agency; check the source link above for any addenda issued after publication, and always reverify before you hunt.
Frequently asked questions
The main November firearms portion — commonly called rifle season — opens November 14, 2026.
Regulations change every year and can vary by county or unit. Hunting Season by State is a reference tool, not a substitute for the official regulation book — always verify dates, zones, and bag limits with the state wildlife agency before you hunt.