The Missouri Department of Conservation has set up some pretty hunter-friendly seasons this year. We’re talking nearly nine months of opportunities running from late May clear through early March. Whether you’ve been chasing squirrels in Missouri for decades or you’re checking out what the Show-Me State has to offer, here’s everything you need to know.
What you’ll get from this Missouri small game guide:
- All the 2026-2027 season dates and bag limits for squirrel, rabbit, quail, bullfrog, and crow
- What licenses actually cost (including the new 2026 fees they’re talking about)
- Where to hunt on public land and how to get on private ground
Let’s jump into the dates and limits first.
Quick Overview: 2026-2027 Missouri Small Game Seasons
Missouri gives you some of the best small game hunting in the Midwest, with seasons that actually make sense for working hunters. The Missouri Department of Conservation basically gives you nine months of small game action.
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrel (Fox/Gray) | May 23, 2026 – Feb 14, 2027 | $10.00 | 20 | Longest season; starts in late spring |
| Rabbit (Cottontail/Swamp) | Oct 1, 2026 – Feb 14, 2027 | $10.00 | 20 | Both types count together |
| Quail | Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027 | $8 | 16 | Best hunting up north and west |
| Bullfrog/Green Frog | June 30 – Oct 31, 2026 | $8.00 | 16 | Summer hunting when nothing else is open |
| Crow | Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 2, 2027 | No limit | No limit | Most people skip this completely |
Here’s what you need for licenses and education:
- Born after January 1, 1967: You’ve got to have hunter education
- Resident small game permit: About $11.50 for 2026
- Non-resident options: Daily permit for around $16 or annual for roughly $108.50
- Kids 15 and under: Can hunt without a permit if they’ve got hunter-ed; otherwise need to stick with a licensed adult
- Apprentice Hunter deal: Lets you hunt without hunter-ed if you stay right with a qualified adult
Squirrel Hunting Seasons
Missouri’s squirrel hunting is honestly some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Nine months of season? That’s more than most states give you for deer hunting. You can chase both fox and gray squirrels from when the leaves are still coming in through dead winter when you can actually see them moving around.
Regular Squirrel Season
May 23, 2026 through February 14, 2027 gives you the main squirrel season for both fox and gray squirrels. That’s a crazy long season that lets you hunt in completely different conditions. Late May when everything’s green and thick, or January when the woods are bare and you can spot movement from way off.
You get 10 squirrels per day, 20 in possession. Mark Twain National Forest covers over 1.5 million acres down south with killer squirrel habitat, especially those oak-hickory ridges where the nuts drop.
Most Missouri hunters run either shotguns or .22s. The .22 crowd likes the cleaner kills and less meat damage. Since this season overlaps with rabbit and quail later on, you can mix things up on the same trip.
Rabbit Hunting Seasons
Missouri’s got both cottontails and swamp rabbits under the same rules, which keeps things simple. The season timing works perfectly with quail season if you want to work some upland birds on the same hunt.
Regular Rabbit Season
October 1, 2026 through February 14, 2027 covers both cottontail and swamp rabbit with the same 10-per-day, 20 possession limits. Missouri’s rabbit numbers are solid, so these limits make sense.
Cottontails love the brushy stuff between fields and timber. Up north where there’s more farming mixed with cover, you’ll find plenty of rabbits. Swamp rabbits stick to the bottoms near water, especially along the big river systems.
Most people use shotguns with #6 shot. Running beagles makes a huge difference – those dogs can track and push rabbits through cover you’d never be able to work effectively on your own.
Quail Hunting Seasons
Let’s be real about quail in Missouri. The numbers aren’t what they used to be, but you can still find birds if you know where to look. Northern Missouri’s prairie counties and the southwest corner still hold decent populations.
Regular Quail Season
November 14, 2026 through January 30, 2027 gives you a shorter window that reflects how quail populations are doing. Eight birds per day, 16 possession limit.
You’ll find bobwhites across Missouri, but your best shot is in the northern and western counties where there’s still native grass or good restoration work. MDC’s Quail Restoration Landscapes are specifically managed for quail and give you the best public land chances.
A good pointing dog or flushing dog changes everything for quail hunting. Check out hunting gear at the Hunting Locator store for upland equipment that actually works in Missouri conditions.
Bullfrog and Green Frog Season
Frog hunting fills that summer gap when everything else is closed, and most hunters completely ignore it. That’s too bad because frogs are excellent eating and it’s actually pretty fun hunting.
Regular Frog Season
June 30 through October 31, 2026 gives you summer hunting when you’re probably getting tired of fishing anyway. Eight frogs per day, 16 possession, with bullfrogs and green frogs counting together.
You can take frogs by hand, net, gig, .22 rimfire, or bow. Most people gig at night with a headlamp, working pond edges and creek banks where frogs hang out. Best hunting happens on warm, humid nights when frogs are calling and moving around.
Crow Hunting Season
Crow hunting might be the most overlooked opportunity in Missouri. No bag limits, long season, and it’s actually challenging enough to keep you interested. Plus it’s great practice for calling and shooting.
Regular Crow Season
November 1, 2026 through March 2, 2027 with no daily or possession limits. That’s the most liberal hunting Missouri offers for anything.
Crows are smart and tough to hunt. You need decoys and calling to bring them in range, and electronic calls are legal for crows. Good hunters set up decoy spreads and use realistic calling to work birds close enough for shots.
Missouri Small Game Licenses and Permits
Missouri’s permit system isn’t too complicated once you figure it out. The Missouri Department of Conservation runs everything, and they’re adjusting some fees for 2026 to match what surrounding states charge.
Missouri Hunting Licenses
You need the right permits for what you’re hunting, starting with the base hunting license. The 2026 fee changes are supposed to bring Missouri in line with neighboring states while keeping things reasonable for residents.
| Permit Type | Resident Cost | Non-Resident Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Game Hunting Permit | ~$11.50 | ~$108.50 | Required for all small game |
| Daily Small Game Permit | N/A | ~$16 | Per-day option for non-residents |
| Migratory Bird Hunting Permit | ~$8 | ~$60 (new) | For dove, snipe, woodcock, rails |
| Furbearer Hunt/Trap Permit | Standard rate | ~$221.50 | Raccoon, coyote, bobcat, etc. |
Surveys show most Missourians support raising non-resident fees to match surrounding states. The daily permit at $16 works for quick trips, but the annual permit pays off if you’re staying longer.
You can buy permits online, by phone, at MDC offices, or from over a thousand vendors around the state. The MO Hunting app lets you buy permits from your phone and shows your valid permit immediately.
Missouri Hunting Permits and Requirements
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1967 has to complete hunter education to buy hunting permits, whether you’re resident or non-resident 16 or older. Online courses work for 16 and up, which beats sitting in a classroom all weekend.
The Apprentice Hunter Authorization lets you buy any firearms hunting permit without hunter education, but you have to hunt right with a properly licensed adult who’s 18 or older and has hunter education or was born before January 1, 1967.
For kids, Missouri residents 15 or under can hunt wildlife (except deer or turkey) without a permit if they have hunter education. Kids without hunter education have to stay right with a licensed adult mentor.
Missouri Small Game: Where to Hunt
Finding places to hunt is the biggest challenge Missouri hunters face. About 93% of Missouri is privately owned, which makes public land valuable but crowded, especially during peak times.
Best Public Lands
Missouri’s got some solid public hunting, but expect company during prime time. Success on public land usually comes down to timing, picking the right spots, and walking further than most people want to.
- Mark Twain National Forest: Over 1.5 million acres of federal land down south with excellent squirrel habitat in oak-hickory forests, less crowded during small game season than deer season
- MDC Conservation Areas: Nearly 1,000 areas statewide including Conservation Areas managed by MDC and several waterfowl management areas providing diverse small game opportunities
- Walk-In Hunting Areas: Private lands open to public access during hunting season, giving you more options beyond traditional public ground
- Quail Restoration Landscapes: MDC areas specifically managed for quail habitat, your best bet for public land bobwhite hunting
Guided Hunts
Guided small game hunts make sense for non-residents who don’t know the area or hunters wanting guaranteed access to good ground. Professional outfitters bring local knowledge, trained dogs for bird hunting, and access to private land you can’t get on your own.
Many outfitters offer combination hunts during overlapping seasons, so you can chase squirrel, rabbit, and quail on the same trip.
Private Land Hunting with Hunting Locator
Private land hunting in Missouri beats public land in every way – exclusive access, better management, higher success rates. Private ground typically has less pressure and more natural animal behavior.
For consistent access to quality small game hunting, Hunting Locator connects hunters directly with Missouri landowners. Our database includes verified properties statewide, from small weekend parcels to large season-long leases. Direct landowner contact cuts out middleman fees, and our platform ensures you’re dealing with legitimate opportunities that match your goals and budget.
Small Game Hunting Tips
Success in Missouri small game hunting comes down to understanding how each animal behaves, where they live, and how to hunt them effectively. These strategies actually work and will improve your results.
- Early Season Squirrel Success: Focus on oak and hickory stands when nuts are dropping. Early morning and late afternoon feeding times give you the best action, especially on cool, calm days.
- Rabbit Hunting with Dogs: Beagles make a huge difference in rabbit hunting success by tracking scent and pushing rabbits through cover. Position hunters at natural funnels and escape routes while dogs work the thick stuff.
- Quail Habitat Recognition: Look for native grassland, CRP fields, and brushy edges between ag fields and timber. Native grassland or grassland restoration areas offer your best chances for finding coveys.
- Weather Timing: Hunt during stable weather rather than when fronts are moving through. Light winds and overcast skies usually produce better activity than bright, windy conditions.
- Public Land Strategy: Access public areas from less obvious entry points and walk further from parking areas. Walk-In Hunting Areas provide private lands open to public access during hunting season for additional opportunities.
- Safety During Deer Season: Bird hunters must wear blaze orange during gun deer season, in areas with managed firearms deer hunts, or when mentoring another hunter during gun deer season.
More Resources from Hunting Locator
Hunting Locator covers way more than just small game for Missouri hunters. These guides and tools help you plan successful hunts across all species and seasons throughout Missouri.
- Missouri Hunting Guide: Complete overview of Missouri hunting opportunities, regulations, and access strategies for all game species
- Missouri Coyote Hunting Season: Year-round predator hunting opportunities and techniques for Missouri’s growing coyote populations
- Missouri Turkey Hunting Season: Spring and fall turkey seasons, calling strategies, and best areas for Missouri’s excellent turkey populations
- Missouri Duck Hunting: Waterfowl hunting along the Mississippi Flyway with season dates, blind locations, and migration timing
- Missouri Deer Hunting: Complete whitetail hunting guide covering archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons
- Missouri Game Bird Hunting Season: Detailed coverage of dove, woodcock, snipe, and other migratory bird opportunities
- Missouri Hunting Land Leases: Direct access to verified hunting leases across Missouri with landowner contact information
FAQ
When do Missouri small game seasons open in 2026?
Squirrel season opens first on May 23, 2026, then bullfrog/green frog season starts June 30. Fall seasons kick off October 1 with rabbit season, November 1 for crow season, and November 14 for quail season. Most seasons run into 2027, with most closing February 14.
How much does a non-resident small game hunting permit cost in Missouri?
Non-resident small game permits cost about $108.50 annually for 2026, or you can buy daily permits for $16 each. Daily permits work for short trips, but the annual permit pays off for longer stays or multiple visits.
Do I need hunter education to hunt small game in Missouri?
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1967 has to complete hunter education to buy hunting permits, including residents and non-residents 16 or older. But the Apprentice Hunter Authorization lets you hunt without hunter education under direct supervision of a licensed adult.
What are the bag limits for Missouri small game species?
Daily limits are: squirrel and rabbit (10 each), quail (8), bullfrog/green frog (8), and crow (no limit). Possession limits are double the daily limits except for crows, which have no possession limit. These limits apply everywhere and for all hunting methods.
Where can I find the best public land small game hunting in Missouri?
Mark Twain National Forest has over 1.5 million acres of public land in southern Missouri with great squirrel habitat. MDC Conservation Areas provide nearly 1,000 hunting locations statewide, while Walk-In Hunting Areas offer private lands open to public access during hunting season.
Can youth hunt small game without permits in Missouri?
Missouri residents 15 or under can hunt wildlife (except deer or turkey) without a permit if they have hunter education. Youth without hunter education must hunt in the immediate presence of a licensed adult mentor who meets supervision requirements.
The Final Shot
Missouri’s 2026-2027 small game seasons give you almost nine months of hunting across five species, from the late-May squirrel opener through the March crow season close. With generous bag limits, reasonable permit costs, and hunting options from public conservation areas to private leases, Missouri keeps earning its reputation as one of the Midwest’s top small game destinations.
Success comes down to understanding where each species lives, timing your hunts with the weather, and getting access to quality hunting areas. Whether you’re chasing squirrels in Mark Twain National Forest’s oak ridges or working pointing dogs through northern Missouri’s grasslands for quail, preparation and local knowledge separate good trips from great ones.
Ready to lock down access to Missouri’s best small game hunting? Check out verified hunting leases across Missouri and connect directly with landowners offering exclusive access to prime hunting ground. Your best Missouri small game season starts with finding the right place to hunt.
