Furbearers: Hunting Seasons, Methods

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the seasons and methods for hunting furbearers. (1) Badger, bobcat, gray fox, opossum, raccoon, red fox, and striped skunk may be taken in any numbers by hunting as follows: Badger, gray fox, and red fox from November 15 through January 31; bobcat from November 15 through the last day of February; and opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk from August 1 through October 15 and from November 15 through the last day of February. (2) Pelts of furbearers may be possessed, transported, consigned for processing, and sold only by the taker with a valid permit throughout the year, except that bobcats or their pelts shall be delivered by the taker to an agent of the department for registration or tagging before selling, transferring, tanning, or mounting, but not later than April 10. Furbearers may be purchased and sold only under provisions of this rule, Chapter 10, and 3 CSR 10-4.135. No person shall accept payment for furbearers taken by another. (3) Tagged bobcats or their pelts may be possessed by the taker throughout the year and may be sold only to a licensed taxidermist, tanner, or fur dealer as provided in Chapter 10. It shall be illegal to purchase or sell untagged bobcats or their pelts. After tanning, pelts may be possessed, bought, or sold without permit. Skinned carcasses of legally taken furbearers may be sold by the taker throughout the year. (4) Coyotes, except as otherwise provided in this section, may be taken by hunting, and pelts and carcasses may be possessed, transported, and sold in any numbers throughout the year. (A) Coyotes may not be chased, pursued, or taken during daylight hours from April 1 through the day prior to the beginning of the prescribed spring turkey hunting season. (B) During the prescribed spring turkey hunting season, coyotes may not be chased, pursued, or taken except during legal shooting hours for turkey hunting using any legal spring turkey hunting season method by persons holding an unfilled Spring Turkey Hunting Permit, and— 1. A Resident Small Game Hunting Permit; or 2. A Nonresident Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Permit. (5) No furbearers may be chased, pursued, or taken during daylight hours with the aid of dogs from November 1 through the prescribed November portion of the firearms deer hunting season, during the antlerless portions of the firearms deer hunting season in counties open to deer hunting, or with firearms from a boat at night. (6) The dens or nests of furbearers shall not be molested or destroyed. (7) Restrictions on possession shall not apply to tanned pelts, mounted specimens, or manufactured products. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Aug. 16, 1972, effective Dec. 31, 1972. Amended: Filed July 13, 1976, effective Dec. 31, 1976. Amended: Filed June 13, 1977, effective Oct. 1, 1977. Amended: Filed Aug. 29, 1977, effective Nov. 1, 1977. Amended: Filed Aug. 4, 1978, effective Nov. 1, 1978. Amended: Filed Aug. 1, 1980, effective Nov. 1, 1980. Amended: Filed June 29, 1981, effective Aug. 14, 1981. Amended: Filed June 30, 1982, effective Aug. 12, 1982. Amended: Filed July 5, 1984, effective Jan. 1, 1985. Amended: Filed Aug. 6, 1985, effective Jan. 1, 1986. Amended: Filed Sept. 2, 1987, effective Jan. 1, 1988. Amended: Filed Aug. 9, 1988, effective Jan. 1, 1989. Amended: Filed May 10, 1990, effective Jan. 6, 1991. Amended: Filed May 10, 1991, effective Jan. 1, 1992. Amended: Filed April 28, 1992, effective Jan. 15, 1993. Amended: Filed April 21, 1993, effective Jan. 1, 1994. Amended: Filed May 30, 1995, effective Jan. 1, 1996. Amended: Filed June 11, 1997, effective March 1, 1998. Amended: Filed May 6, 1998, effective March 1, 1999. Amended: Filed May 10, 1999, effective March 1, 2000. Amended: Filed April 24, 2000, effective March 1, 2001. Amended: Filed Oct. 9, 2003, effective March 30, 2004. Amended: Filed June 4, 2004, effective Nov. 30, 2004. Amended: Filed Oct. 13, 2005, effective March 30, 2006. Amended: Filed Oct. 2, 2006, effective Feb. 28, 2007. Amended: Filed Sept. 27, 2007, effective Feb. 29, 2008. Amended: Filed Jan. 4, 2011, effective July 1, 2011. Amended: Filed Dec. 8, 2014, effective March 1, 2015. Amended: Filed June 28, 2019, effective Dec. 30, 2019. Amended: Filed Dec. 10, 2021, effective June 30, 2022. Amended: Filed Dec. 7, 2022, effective May 30, 2023. Amended: Filed Sept. 12, 2024, effective Feb. 28, 2025. Amended: Filed Dec. 12, 2025, effective June 30, 2026. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.