Missouri Deer Hunting Season 2026-2027: Complete Dates, Regulation Changes, and What Every Hunter Needs to Know

By Hunting Magazine Staff

Missouri’s 2026-2027 deer season isn’t just another year on the calendar — it’s the biggest regulatory shake-up the state’s whitetail program has seen in over a decade. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has eliminated the CWD Management Zone entirely, dropped antler point restrictions statewide, scrapped the dedicated CWD firearms portion, and paused its controversial post-season targeted deer removal program indefinitely. If you hunted Missouri last year and think you already know the rules, read this first — several of them just changed.

Here’s the full breakdown: every confirmed season date, what’s different this year, and the practical details you need before you hit the woods.

2026-2027 Missouri Deer Season Dates

The Missouri Conservation Commission approved these dates at its Dec. 12, 2025 meeting, confirmed directly through MDC’s official newsroom announcement:

Archery Season

• Early Archery: September 15 – November 13, 2026
• Late Archery: November 25, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Firearms Season

• Firearms Early Antlerless Portion: October 9–11, 2026 (open counties only)
• Firearms Early Youth Portion: October 24–25, 2026
• Firearms November Portion: November 14–24, 2026
• Firearms Late Youth Portion: November 27–29, 2026
• Firearms Late