Black Bear Hunting Season: Application and Draw Process

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the application and draw process for black bear hunting in Missouri. (1) Missouri residents, as defined in 3 CSR 10-5.220, may apply for black bear hunting permits. (A) Bear Management Zone-specific permit quotas for black bear hunting permits are established annually by the Conser vation Commission. At least ten (10) percent of the Resident Black Bear Hunting Permit Black Bear Management Zone-spe cific permit quota will be awarded annually to approved resi dent landowners, as defined in 3 CSR 10-20.805, whose quali fying property is in the specific Black Bear Management Zone for which they are applying. If the number of qualifying land owner applicants is less than the percentage of the permits al located for landowners, that portion of the quota not issued to a qualifying landowner will be reallocated to other applicants. Permit quotas for the 2026 black bear season will be set as fol lows: 1. Bear Management Zone 1: one thousand (1,000) Resident Black Bear Hunting Permits. 2. Bear Management Zone 2: seven hundred fifty (750) Resident Black Bear Hunting Permits. 3. Bear Management Zone 3: two hundred fifty (250) Resident Black Bear Hunting Permits. (B) To be eligible for the Resident Black Bear Hunting Permit(s) awarded to approved resident landowners, an application must have been submitted to and have been approved by the department as described in 3 CSR 10-7.412 prior to applying for a Resident Black Bear Hunting Permit. (C) Permit Draw. 1. The application period will be from May 1-31 annually and results will be available by July 1 annually. 2. Application fee for Resident Black Bear Hunting Permit: ten dollars ($10). 3. Only one (1) application is allowed per year. 4. Only one (1) person is allowed per application. 5. Permits are nontransferable. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const. Original rule filed Sept. 4, 2020, effective Feb. 28, 2021. Amended: Filed March 26, 2021, effective April 15, 2021. Amended: Filed March 25, 2022, effective April 15, 2022. Amended: Filed March 14, 2023, effective March 31, 2023. Amended: Filed April 5, 2024, effective April 15, 2024. Amended: Filed April 4, 2025, effective April 15, 2025. Amended: Filed March 27, 2026, effective April 15, 2026.