Field Trials

PURPOSE: This rule establishes provisions for allowing field trials on department areas. (1) Field trials are only permitted on the department areas listed below. A field trial special use permit issued by the area manager is required. Unless otherwise provided on the field trial special use permit, field trials are permitted from September 1 through the Monday closest to March 31. Field trial types and locations may be further restricted on each designated area: (A) Amarugia Highlands Conservation Area; (B) Busch (August A.) Memorial Conservation Area; (C) Bois D’ Arc Conservation Area; (D) Bushwhacker Lake Conservation Area; (E) Canaan Conservation Area; (F) Duck Creek Conservation Area; (G) Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area; (H) Fort Crowder Conservation Area; (I) Helton (The Wayne) Memorial Wildlife Area; (J) Maintz Wildlife Preserve; (K) Pony Express Lake Conservation Area; (L) Reed (James A.) Memorial Wildlife Area; (M) Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area; (N) Shawnee Trail Conservation Area; (O) Talbot (Robert E.) Conservation Area; (P) Truman Reservoir Management Lands (Upper Tebo Creek); (Q) Whetstone Creek Conservation Area; (R) White River Trace Conservation Area; and (S) Wilhelmina Conservation Area. (2) Field trial participants must comply with 3 CSR 10-7.410 except as otherwise provided by the special use permit. (3) During field trials, wildlife not prohibited in 3 CSR 10-7.410 may be chased by dogs under control but may be pursued and taken only during the open seasons and only by persons possessing a valid hunting permit, except as provided in section (4) of this rule. (4) For game bird field trials— (A) Designated shooters, under the field trial special use per mit, may shoot only legally obtained and captive-reared quail, pheasants, exotic partridges, and mallard ducks. The permit holder may purchase quail, pheasants, and mallard ducks no more than ten (10) days prior to a trial and hold them no longer than ten (10) days after a trial; (B) All birds to be released must be accompanied by a certif icate of veterinary inspection signed by an accredited veteri narian; (C) Quail, pheasants, and exotic partridges shall be marked with a permanent avian leg band prior to release. Mallard ducks shall be marked by removal of the hind toe from the right foot, or by tattooing a readily discernible number or letter or combination on the web of one (1) foot; and (D) Legally obtained quail, pheasants, exotic partridges, and mallard ducks may be taken in any number during a field trial and may be possessed and transported from the field trial area by persons other than the field trial permit holder only when accompanied by a receipt listing the date, number, and spe cies, and the name, address, and permit number of the field trial permit holder. In addition, the marked foot must remain attached to mallard ducks. (5) Field trials using running dogs pursuing raccoon may be conducted on department areas not listed in 3 CSR 10-11.180(3) or 3 CSR 10-11.180(4) and greater than one thousand (1,000) acres where appropriate from September 1 through March 31 only by Field Trial Special Use Permit. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed May 9, 2002, effective Oct. 30, 2002. Amended: Filed Sept. 29, 2004, effective Feb. 28, 2005. Amended: Filed Sept. 14, 2005, effective Feb. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Oct. 2, 2006, effective March 30, 2007. Amended: Filed March 19, 2007, effective April 1, 2007. Amended: Filed Sept. 12, 2011, effective March 1, 2012. Amended: Filed Aug. 28, 2018, effective March 1, 2019. Amended: Filed Oct. 3, 2025, effective April 30, 2026. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.