Missouri Department of Conservation, Deer Season Regulation Changes for 2023-2024

The Missouri Department of Conservation recently announced they are adding two new hunting seasons for 2023.

The first season is ‘New Firearms Early Antlerless Portion’, October 6th through the 8th, 2023.
- “The early antlerless portion will provide additional hunting opportunities and help increase antlerless deer harvest prior to the November portion of firearms season, when many hunters focus on harvesting bucks. Timing of the early antlerless portion was designed to occur when weather conditions are generally favorable and during a time that will minimize conflict with archery hunters, who usually hunt most in late October and early November.”
- For additional information about ‘New Firearms Early Antlerless Portion’, CLICK HERE.

The second season is ‘New Firearms CWD Portion’, November 22nd through the 26th, 2023.
- “The CWD portion of firearms deer season will be open in all counties within the CWD Management Zone. During the CWD portion, hunters will be able to use any unfilled firearms deer hunting permits and must abide by the statewide limit of one antlered deer during the firearms deer season (all portions combined) and abide by county-specific firearms antlerless permit numbers. CWD testing is not required for deer harvested during the CWD portion.”
- “The CWD portion is timed to occur during the tail end of the primary rut, or breeding season, when deer activity is typically high and hunter interest remains strong. The CWD portion will provide hunters in the CWD Management Zone with additional hunting opportunities to help stabilize deer numbers and minimize the spread of CWD.”
- For additional information about ‘New Firearms CWD Portion’, CLICK HERE.

The two new hunting seasons are being added to manage the deer population level, and learn more about chronic wasting disease (CWD).