A duck hunter at first light on a national wildlife refuge
State guide · 2026-27

Missouri public duck hunting

Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)

A duck hunter at first light on a national wildlife refuge. Photo: USFWS
Duck opener9daysNorth Zone duck season opens Sat Oct 31Next deadline4daysManaged-area reservations for hunts Nov 3 – 9Public areas15Public areas with their own pageOfficial links6Agency pages for seasons, licenses and WMAs

Missouri's public duck hunting centers on MDC's managed wetland areas, from the Bootheel to the Missouri River bottoms. Spots go by online reservation (residents) and a morning draw anyone can join, and the state has three duck zones with different season dates.

Seasons and rules

Key Missouri rules for 2026-27

  • 2026-27 duck seasons by zone. North: Oct 31–Dec 29, 2026. Middle: Nov 7–Dec 13 and Dec 19, 2026–Jan 10, 2027. South: Nov 26–29 and Dec 7, 2026–Jan 31, 2027.Source: MDC 2026–27 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Youth days: North Oct 24–25, Middle Oct 31–Nov 1, South Nov 21–22, 2026. Ages 15 and under, with an adult 18 or older who may not hunt ducks.Source: MDC 2026–27 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Ducks need three permits at 16 and up: a small game hunting permit, the new Resident ($8) or Nonresident ($60) Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, and the Federal Duck Stamp. There is no state duck stamp.Source: MDC 2026–27 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Managed areas: pre-season reservation applications closed Sept 18. Weekly in-season reservations open Tuesday 12:01 a.m. and close Monday 3 p.m. for hunts the following week. Only Missouri residents can apply; nonresidents can join the morning draw (poor line) or hunt with a reservation holder.Source: MDC in-season application dates · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Regular goose season: Nov 11, 2026–Feb 6, 2027 (3 Canada geese and brant, 2 white-fronted, 20 light geese a day). Light Goose Conservation Order: Feb 7–Apr 30, 2027, Conservation Order Permit only.Source: MDC 2026–27 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest (PDF) · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
Draws and permits

Deadlines

  • Oct26MissouriManaged-area reservations for hunts Nov 3 – 9Missouri residents apply online for one managed area per day; the drawing runs Monday at 4 p.m. and results post Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. Nonresidents can use the morning draw instead.Tue Oct 20, 12:01 a.m. – Mon Oct 26, 3 p.m. Open · closes Oct 26MDC in-season application dates · checked Oct 22, 2026
  • Sep18MissouriManaged waterfowl areas: pre-season reservationsMissouri residents applied online for pre-season reservations at up to three managed areas (up to five for ADA blinds).Sep 1 – 18, 2026 ClosedMDC reservations and draw procedures · checked Oct 22, 2026

MDC in-season application dates: these windows repeat weekly through Jan 18, 2027. The calendar lists every one.

All six states on one calendar

River levels

Key gauges

Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau, MO
15.8 ft
↓ 0.7 ft / 24 hFlood stage 32 ft · Below flood stage
Observed Oct 22, 10:30 a.m. CT
NWS forecast, issued Oct 22, 9:54 a.m. CT
  1. Today15.7
  2. Fri15.7
  3. Sat16.0
  4. Sun16.1
  5. Mon15.7
Highest in NWS forecast: 16.1 ft, Oct 24Full forecast on water.noaa.gov
Source: NWS / NOAA National Water Prediction Service
Mississippi River at New Madrid, MO
6.5 ft
↓ 0.5 ft / 24 hFlood stage 34 ft · Below flood stage
Observed Oct 22, 10:00 a.m. CT
NWS forecast, issued Oct 22, 9:54 a.m. CT
  1. Today6.5
  2. Fri5.8
  3. Sat4.8
  4. Sun4.2
  5. Mon4.1
Full forecast on water.noaa.gov
Source: NWS / NOAA National Water Prediction Service
Missouri River near Waverly, MO
13.4 ft
↓ 0.3 ft / 24 hFlood stage 20 ft · Below flood stage
Observed Oct 22, 10:00 a.m. CT
NWS forecast, issued Oct 22, 9:16 a.m. CT
  1. Today13.3
  2. Fri13.2
  3. Sat13.0
  4. Sun12.7
  5. Mon12.2
Full forecast on water.noaa.gov
Source: NWS / NOAA National Water Prediction Service
Missouri River at Jefferson City, MO
8.8 ft
↓ 0.1 ft / 24 hFlood stage 23 ft · Below flood stage
Observed Oct 22, 10:45 a.m. CT
NWS forecast, issued Oct 22, 9:09 a.m. CT
  1. Today8.8
  2. Fri8.5
  3. Sat8.2
  4. Sun7.9
  5. Mon7.6
Full forecast on water.noaa.gov
Source: NWS / NOAA National Water Prediction Service
Missouri River at St. Joseph, MO
7.3 ft
↓ 0.1 ft / 24 hFlood stage 17 ft · Below flood stage
Observed Oct 22, 9:35 a.m. CT
NWS forecast, issued Oct 22, 9:16 a.m. CT
  1. Today7.2
  2. Fri7.2
  3. Sat7.2
  4. Sun7.1
  5. Mon7.1
Full forecast on water.noaa.gov
Source: NWS / NOAA National Water Prediction Service
Osage River near Schell City, MO
6.5 ft
↓ 0.3 ft / 24 hFlood stage 30 ft · Below flood stage
Observed Oct 22, 10:45 a.m. CT

No official forecast for this gauge

Source: NWS / NOAA National Water Prediction Service

Readings and forecasts from the National Weather Service and USGS, refreshed hourly.

Where to hunt

Spot guides

We don't have a spot guide for Missouri yet. The public land below and the map show where the public ground is.

WMAs and refuges

Public land

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