Missouri offers over 100 managed deer hunts for archery, crossbow, muzzleloading, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January, including hunts for youth only and for people with disabilities. Hunters are selected by a weighted random drawing.
The Managed Deer Hunt application period is July 1 through July 31. Review the list of managed hunts.
Draw results for managed hunts will be available August 15 through January 15.
Applying for Managed Deer Hunts
Points to remember
- You may apply for only one managed deer hunt each year. If you apply for more than one, you will be disqualified from this year’s drawing and will not receive a preference point.
- Youth who apply for a youth-only hunt may not also apply for a regular managed deer hunt.
- If you cannot attend, another hunter cannot take your place.
- Individuals not drawn for a managed deer hunt may not accompany a hunter who was successfully drawn. This restriction does not apply to mentors accompanying youth hunters or hunters using an Apprentice Hunter Authorization.
- Mentors who accompany youth hunters or hunters using an Apprentice Hunter Authorization must be adults who are hunter education certified (or born before Jan. 1, 1967) and have a filled or unfilled firearms deer hunting permit. Mentors may not hunt unless they were drawn to participate in the managed hunt.
- Some managed hunts require hunters to attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation. If you cannot attend the orientation, do not apply for these hunts.
- Whether you apply as one in a party or as an individual,your chances of being drawn for a managed hunt depend on the preference points of the party applying.
- If you are not drawn for a managed hunt this year, you will earn one preference point that will increase your odds the next time you apply.
- If you have a medical condition that limits your mobility, please contact the manager of the area on which you want to hunt before applying for a managed hunt. Some areas may not have the access you require, and you may want to apply for a hunt on a different area.
- Most conservation areas remain open to the public during managed hunts.
- For a summary of how many people applied for last year’s managed hunts and how many deer were taken, see the Managed Deer Hunt Statistics page .
- Hunter-education certification is required to purchase firearms managed hunt permits unless you were born before Jan. 1, 1967.
- You do not need hunter eduction certification if you are 11–15 years old and are hunting in the immediate presence of a properly-licensed adult mentor who is hunter-education certified or was born before Jan. 1, 1967.
- You do not need hunter eduction certification if you are 16 or older, purchased an Apprentice Hunter Authorization, and are hunting in the immediate presence of a properly-licensed adult mentor who is hunter-education certified or was born before Jan. 1, 1967.