Missouri Begins Annual Black Bear Hunting Season

The state has authorized a 60-bear harvest limit for this year's 13-day hunting season.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Hunting

Screen-print poster illustration of a black bear silhouette in a dense autumn forest, evoking the regulated Missouri wildlife management season. — Missouri wildlife officials have launched the state's annual 13-day black bear hunting season, capping the harvest at 60 bears to ensure population stability. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Missouri has launched its annual black bear hunting season, which is limited to 13 days of activity. Wildlife officials have set a cull quota of 60 bears for the current season.

Why it matters

The hunting season serves as a management tool for a black bear population that has grown significantly in recent years. Officials determined the population is now robust enough to sustain a limited harvest while maintaining healthy growth.

The state issued 2,000 permits for the season, which supports an estimated population of 1,100 bears that is growing at a rate of 9% annually. Hunters are strictly prohibited from using aircraft or motor-driven land vehicles to track or pursue bears.

The players

Missouri Department of Conservation

This state agency is responsible for managing Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources and oversees the state's bear population management strategy.

The details

The Missouri Department of Conservation reintroduced this hunting season in 2021 after historical declines. To prevent overharvesting, hunters must call a daily hotline to confirm if the 60-bear statewide quota has been reached before continuing their activities.

The annual black bear hunting season began on October 17, 2026.
The hunting season lasts for a duration of 13 days.

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Culture Shift

This hunting season follows the framework established by Missouri's 2021 black bear hunting reintroduction. It reflects a broader shift toward active wildlife management as populations expand across the state's wilderness areas.

Participants must verify the status of the harvest quota daily via a hotline to ensure they stay within state-mandated limits. Hunters should also prepare for strict enforcement of rules prohibiting the use of motorized land vehicles or aircraft.

The takeaway

Wildlife management programs like this one rely on precise population data to balance ecological growth with public access. Hunters are encouraged to stay updated with state agency notices to ensure compliance throughout the season.