Duck and Coot Regulations

Duck and Coot Regulations

Valid Permits

  • Daily Small Game Hunting Permit
  • Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
  • Nonresident Small Game Hunting Permit
  • Hunting and Fishing Permit
  • Small Game Hunting Permit

Season & Limits

Ducks

Area: Middle Zone
Primary Season:
Sat, 11/03/2012 - Tue, 01/01/2013
Daily Limit: 6
Possesion Limit: 12

Area: North Zone
Primary Season:
Sat, 10/27/2012 - Tue, 12/25/2012
Daily Limit: 6
Possesion Limit: 12

Area: South Zone
Primary Season:
Thu, 11/22/2012 - Sun, 01/20/2013
Daily Limit: 6
Possesion Limit: 12

Additional Information

Permit and Stamp Requirements 

To pursue, take, possess and transport ducks, coots and geese in Missouri, except during the Conservation Order, a hunter must possess and carry the following, unless exempt: 

  1. a Missouri permit to hunt small game (Missouri residents age 16 through 64; Nonresidents age 16 and older)
  2. Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit (Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older)
  3. Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp (Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older) 

To be valid, the federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp must be signed in ink across the face. The stamps are available for $15 at U.S. Post Offices and selected permit vendors.

Season limit breakdown 

The daily bag limit is 6 and may include no more than: 

  • Mallards: 4, but no more than 2 females
  • Wood ducks: 3
  • Hooded mergansers : 2
  • Pintails: 2
  • Redheads: 2
  • Scaup: 4
  • Black ducks: 1
  • Canvasbacks: 1
  • Mottled ducks : 1 

Coot daily bag limit is 15 and possession limit is 30.

Youth Waterfowl 

  • Age 15 or younger
  • Accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older who is not allowed to hunt ducks but who can participate in other open seasons 

No permits are required by youth hunters. If the youth possesses a valid hunter-education certificate card, the accompanying adult does not need a permit or hunter-ed certification. However, if the youth is not hunter-ed certified, the accompanying adult must be hunter-ed certified unless they were born before Jan. 1, 1967, and possess a Missouri permit to hunt small game or be exempt.

Detailed Regulations: 
Waterfowl Regulations