A Missouri bear season proposal, published by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), is open for public comment. The black bear population in Missouri has been consistently growing. The latest population estimates, provided by the Missouri Bear Research Project, are 540-840 black bears with a growth rate of about 9% increase per year. Ideal bear habitat is expanses of forest and the primary bear range is south of I-44.
Update: Read about the results of public comment.
MDC Goals
Goal 1
Use science-based methods to manage a self-sustaining population of black bear, focusing on research and monitoring, population management, and habitat management.
Goal 2
Increase statewide awareness of Missouri’s black bear population and management program through coordinated outreach and public education.
Goal 3
Minimize and address human-bear conflicts.
Missouri Bear Season
- Three Bear Management Zones (BMZs)
- BMZ 1 – SW corner of Missouri
- North boundary: I-44/Hwy 60
East boundary: Hwy 63
South boundary: state line
West boundary: state line
- North boundary: I-44/Hwy 60
- BMZ 2 – SE portion of Missouri
- North boundary: Missouri river
East boundary: Mississippi river
South boundary: state line
West boundary: Hwy 63/I-44/Hwy 47
- North boundary: Missouri river
- BMZ 3 – Mid-Midwest portion of Missouri
- North boundary: Missouri river
East boundary: Hwy 63/I-44/Hwy 47
South boundary: I-44/Hwy 60
West boundary: state line
- North boundary: Missouri river
- BMZ 1 – SW corner of Missouri
Season Dates, Limits & Methods
- 10 Day Season.
- Opens 3rd Monday in October.
- BMZ-specific quotas to be established annually.
- One bear bag limit.
- Runs 10 days OR until BMZ-specific quota is filled; whichever occurs first.
- Once BMZ-specific harvest quota is filled, the season for that zone will be closed.
- Hunters must call each morning they intend to hunt to determine if quota has been filled.
- May use archery or firearm.
- Baiting is not allowed; but, may be reevaluated later.
- Dogs are not allowed; but, may be reevaluated later.
Application & Permit
- Missouri residents only.
- $10 application fee, $25 permit fee (if drawn).
- Permit will be BMZ-specific.
- One BMZ-specific application per year.
- No sit-out period.
- Drawing is random lottery.
- No landowner permit; but, 10% of the lottery quote goes to landowners.
