Furbearers: Trapping Seasons

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the open seasons for trapping and for selling pelts and carcasses of furbearers. (1) Badger, beaver, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, raccoon, red fox, river otter, and striped skunk may be taken in any numbers by trapping only in accordance with the following: (A) Statewide Seasons— 1. Badger, gray fox, and red fox from November 15 through January 31; 2. Bobcat, coyote, mink, muskrat, and river otter from November 15 through the last day of February; 3. Opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk from August 1 through October 15 and November 15 through the last day of February; and 4. Beaver and nutria from November 15 through March 31; and (B) Special Harvest Season on Private Lands. Coyote, opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk may also be taken on private lands from March 1 through April 14. (2) Traps may not be placed or set before midnight of the first day of the applicable trapping season and must be removed by midnight of the last day of the applicable trapping season. (3) Pelts of furbearers may be possessed, transported, consigned for processing, and sold only by the taker with a valid permit throughout the year. Bobcats and otters or their pelts shall be delivered by the taker to an agent of the department for registration or tagging. Bobcats and otters shall be registered or tagged before selling, transferring, tanning, or mounting but not later than April 10. Tagged bobcats and otters or their pelts may be possessed by the taker throughout the year. It shall be illegal to purchase or sell untagged bobcats and otters 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. (Certain Department of Health and Senior Services’ rules also govern how furbearer carcasses might be utilized.) (4) Rabbits may be taken by trap from November 15 through January 31 within prescribed hunting limits, but carcasses may not be sold. (5) 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 July 23, 1974, effective Dec. 31, 1974. Amended: Filed July 13, 1976, effective Dec. 31, 1976. Amended: Filed June 13, 1977, effective Dec. 1, 1977. Amended: Filed Aug. 4, 1978, effective Nov. 1, 1978. Amended: Filed June 25, 1979, effective Oct. 1, 1979. Amended: Filed Aug. 1, 1980, effective Oct. 1, 1980. Amended: Filed June 29, 1981, effective Aug. 14, 1981. Amended: Filed June 30, 1982, effective Aug. 12, 1982. Amended: Filed June 24, 1983, effective Aug. 11, 1983. Amended: Filed July 5, 1984, effective Aug. 11, 1984. Amended: Filed Aug. 6, 1985, effective Jan. 1, 1986. Amended: Filed Sept. 2, 1987, effective Jan. 1, 1988. Amended: Filed July 6, 1988, effective Jan. 1, 1989. Amended: Filed Aug. 8, 1989, effective Sept. 11, 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 Sept. 29, 1994, effective July 1, 1995. Amended: Filed May 30, 1995, effective Jan. 21, 1996. Amended: Filed May 6, 1998, effective March 1, 1999. Amended: Filed May 10, 1999, effective March 1, 2000. Amended: Filed April 24, 2000, effective Nov. 1, 2000. Amended: Filed May 9, 2002, effective March 1, 2003. Amended: Filed Aug. 1, 2003, effective Aug. 15, 2003. Amended: Filed Oct. 9, 2003, effective March 30, 2004. Amended: Filed Sept. 29, 2004, effective Feb. 28, 2005. Amended: Filed Aug. 24, 2005, effective Nov. 1, 2005. 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 Oct. 10, 2008, effective April 30, 2009. Amended: Filed March 23, 2009, effective March 1, 2010. Amended: Filed Sept. 25, 2009, effective March 1, 2010. Amended: Filed March 12, 2010, effective Aug. 30, 2010. Amended: Filed Jan. 4, 2011, effective July 1, 2011. Amended: Filed March 2, 2020, effective Aug. 30, 2020. Amended: Filed Dec. 10, 2021, effective June 30, 2022. Amended: Filed May 16, 2025, effective April 1, 2026. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.