MO Nonresident Buck Limit Cut

JEFFERSON CITY — Nonresident deer hunters in Missouri will be limited to one antlered buck during the upcoming 2026 deer season under a regulation change approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission.

The Commission approved the change during its May 29 open meeting in Washington, Missouri, following recommendations from the Missouri Department of Conservation. The new limit reduces the nonresident antlered buck bag limit from two to one for the 2026 season.

Qualified nonresident landowners will not be subject to the same reduction. Those hunters will continue to be allowed an antlered buck bag limit of two under Missouri regulations.

The Commission also gave initial approval to an additional change that could affect nonresident hunters beginning with the 2027 deer season. Under that proposal, nonresident deer hunters would be required to purchase a $165 Nonresident Public Land Deer Hunting Permit before pursuing, taking, possessing or transporting deer on Missouri public lands, including conservation areas and other state and federal public hunting lands.

MDC will accept public comments on the proposed public-land permit from July 16 through August 14. The Conservation Commission is scheduled to review the comments and give final consideration to the proposed permit change at its September 11 open meeting.

The department says nonresident participation in Missouri deer hunting has increased significantly over the last two decades. MDC data shows approximately 20,000 nonresident deer hunters participated in Missouri 20 years ago, making up about four percent of the state’s nearly 475,000 deer hunters. By 2025, the number of nonresident hunters had grown to approximately 42,000, accounting for about nine percent of Missouri’s total deer hunters.

MDC says the changes are intended to address concerns from resident hunters about increased hunting pressure, particularly on public land. The agency also acknowledged that nonresident hunters provide economic benefits to local communities, businesses and landowners during deer season.

The new one-buck nonresident limit will apply statewide during the 2026 deer season, including hunting activity in Pike County, Missouri and surrounding areas.