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Seat: Versailles · Central Region
Morgan County Hunting
Before a Morgan County trip: a firearms antlerless fill limit of 4 deer, the open antlerless portions, turkey and duck zone facts, 3,962 deer checked in 2025 and 7 public areas to hunt.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Morgan County rules at a glance
Morgan County covers 598 square miles of land and 16 of water, with the courthouse in Versailles. Population ran to 22,399 in mid-2024, a shift of +6.6% from the 2020 base. MDC caps firearms antlerless permits in Morgan County at 4 deer this season, counting every firearms portion together. From Oct. 9 to 11 and again from Dec. 5 to 13, Morgan County hunters can fill firearms antlerless permits in the antlerless portions. Placing feed, salt or minerals for deer is prohibited all year in Morgan County because the county lies within 10 miles of a CWD detection. For Share the Harvest, deer from Morgan County must be tested for CWD, which the processors arrange. For 2026 the CWD Management Zone was removed, so Morgan County no longer has zone rules or a CWD portion.
| MDC rule | Here | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless fill limit | 4 deer | All firearms portions |
| Antlerless portions | Open | Oct. 9-11, Dec. 5-13 |
| Mandatory CWD sampling | Not this year | Day of harvest |
| Feed and mineral ban | Yes | Year-round |
| Share the Harvest test | Required | Before donating |
| November dog rule | No | November portion, daylight |
| Fall firearms turkey | Open | Oct. 1-31 |
| Elk hunting county | No | Carter, Reynolds, Shannon |
| Black Bear Management Zone | 3 | Oct. 17-30, by permit |
| Waterfowl zone (map layer) | Middle | 2021-2025 layer |
| SE flood closure zone | None | Gauge-based |
| CWD portion | Removed | Gone for 2026 |
| Antler-point restriction | Removed | Gone for 2026 |
County rules from the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey booklet county table, the Wildlife Code 3 CSR 10-7 (antlerless limits and portions), CWD rules and stations, fall turkey counties, dog rule, bear digest, waterfowl digest. Checked October 29, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Morgan County
Deer Telechecked in Morgan County, 2015-2025
Morgan County produced 3,962 checked deer in 2025 (1,774 antlered, 2,188 antlerless). That is 10% above the 2024 total of 3,591. The best year in the 2015-2025 run was 2020 with 4,494; the lowest was 2024 with 3,591. By 2025 harvest, Morgan County sits 14th of 114. Archery and crossbow hunters logged 856; the November portion added 1,872.
| Year | Bucks | Button bucks | Does | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,774 | 388 | 1,800 | 3,962 |
| 2024 | 1,400 | 422 | 1,769 | 3,591 |
| 2023 | 1,730 | 470 | 2,091 | 4,291 |
| 2022 | 1,578 | 461 | 1,959 | 3,998 |
| 2021 | 1,813 | 463 | 2,073 | 4,349 |
| 2020 | 1,617 | 597 | 2,280 | 4,494 |
| 2019 | 1,598 | 505 | 1,990 | 4,093 |
| 2018 | 1,765 | 481 | 1,847 | 4,093 |
| 2017 | 1,799 | 478 | 1,655 | 3,932 |
| 2016 | 1,725 | 425 | 1,589 | 3,739 |
| 2015 | 1,734 | 456 | 1,796 | 3,986 |
Morgan County deer by portion, 2024 and 2025
| Portion | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 767 | 856 |
| Early youth | 198 | 286 |
| Early antlerless | 84 | 119 |
| Opening weekend* | 889 | 730 |
| November portion | 2,088 | 1,872 |
| CWD portion | — | 305 |
| Late youth | 46 | 25 |
| Late antlerless | 276 | 341 |
| Alternative methods | 132 | 158 |
| Managed hunts | — | 0 |
The Central Region figure was 5.5 per square mile, while Morgan County posted 6.9.
Telechecked harvest from the MDC 2025 deer harvest summary and earlier deer harvest summaries (2015-2025); density from the 2025 Missouri Deer Season Summary and Population Status Report. Checked October 29, 2026.
Draws, zones and wetlands in Morgan County
Black bear hunting in Morgan County
Morgan County lies in Black Bear Management Zone 3. The 2026 season runs Oct. 17-30 for permit holders drawn in the May 1-31 application period.
| Zone | Share of county | Permits 2026 | Quota 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | 100% | 250 | 8 |
| Year | Statewide bears |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 9 |
Morgan County and the North, Middle and South zones
Duck dates in Morgan County follow the Middle Zone, judged from the older map layer; check the digest map if you hunt near a zone edge.
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks, split 1 | Middle | Nov 7–Dec 13 |
| Ducks, split 2 | Middle | Dec 19–Jan 10 |
Morgan County has no managed deer hunt for 2026-27; look to Benton, Camden and Miller for the nearest.
Managed hunts from the 2026 managed deer hunt tables; bear from the 2026 Black Bear Hunting Digest and MDC bear reports; elk from the 2026 Elk Hunting Digest; waterfowl and wetlands from the 2026-2027 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Digest. Checked October 29, 2026.
Morgan County seasons, opener to closer
Morgan County gets 37 dated rows this permit year, from the September dove opener to the conservation order in spring.
| Game | Segment | Scope | Opening day | Closing day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery, first part | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, early antlerless | Antlerless county | Oct 9, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, early youth | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, November | Statewide | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, second part | Statewide | Nov 25, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, late youth | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, late antlerless | Antlerless county | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms, alternative methods | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 5, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Bear, zone 3 | Bear zone 3 | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall archery | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall firearms | Open county | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall archery, part 2 | Statewide | Nov 25, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Youth quail | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Quail | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth pheasant | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Pheasant | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Rabbits | Rabbit hunting | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Squirrel season | Statewide | May 23, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock season | Statewide | Oct 18, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 | |
| Doves | Dove season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Teal | September teal | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth waterfowl days | Middle Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Ducks, split 1 | Middle Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Ducks, split 2 | Middle Zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Early Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Statewide | Nov 11, 2026 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Conservation order | Statewide | Feb 7, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Coyote hunting | Statewide | Jan 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Groundhog | Groundhog | Statewide | May 11, 2026 | Dec 15, 2026 | |
| Bullfrogs and green frogs | Frogging | Statewide | Jun 30, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Raccoon, opossum, skunk | Hunt and trap, early | Statewide | Aug 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | |
| Rails | Rail season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Snipe season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Crow | Crow season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Mar 3, 2027 | |
| Badger and foxes | Hunting and trapping | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting and trapping | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon, opossum, skunk | Hunt and trap, main | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
From the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations, the 2026-2027 Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Digest and the 2026 hunting and trapping summary (Missouri Department of Conservation), checked October 29, 2026.
Morgan County turkey harvest and CWD results
Telecheck shows 431 Morgan County gobblers and bearded hens in the 2026 regular spring season. 512 turkeys in 2016 is the spring high mark here. In fall 2025, 12 turkeys came on the firearms portion and 14 with archery. No fall 2026 harvest is listed yet; the 2027 spring season dates are pending.
| Year | Spring youth | Spring regular | Firearms fall | Archery fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 46 | 431 | — | — |
| 2025 | 51 | 484 | 12 | 14 |
| 2024 | 37 | 465 | 18 | 15 |
| 2023 | 15 | 457 | 32 | 28 |
| 2022 | 18 | 349 | 5 | 17 |
| 2021 | 20 | 329 | 12 | 29 |
| 2020 | 16 | 357 | 25 | 32 |
| 2019 | 22 | 358 | 14 | 27 |
| 2018 | 7 | 383 | 10 | 14 |
| 2017 | 33 | 468 | 26 | 21 |
| 2016 | 26 | 512 | 44 | 42 |
Chronic wasting disease results, Morgan County
Morgan County CWD testing: 2,668 samples, 1 positive, by the MDC layer. The county's first CWD-positive deer came in the 2024-2025 sample year.
| Sample year | Tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 9 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | 614 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | 131 | 1 |
| 2023-24 | 124 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 86 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 123 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | 124 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | 120 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | 106 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | 111 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | 1,120 | 0 |
Turkey harvest from the MDC 2026 turkey harvest summary and earlier turkey harvest summaries; CWD from the MDC CWD sampling results layers and the MDC CWD page. Checked October 29, 2026.
Morgan County conservation areas and public ground
There are 7 listed hunting areas in Morgan County; Lamine River Conservation Area tops them at 6,071 acres. GIS layers map about 4,045 public acres in the county, roughly 1.1% of its land. Another 2 MDC or state places in the county are closed to hunting and left off the table.
| Place | Acres | Deer methods | Antlerless | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamine River CA · Conservation area | 6,071 | Archery and firearms | archery antlerless | — |
| Big Buffalo Creek CA · Conservation area | 3,612 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Manito Lake CA · Conservation area | 871 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Carpenter Memorial CA · Conservation area | 366 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Proctor Towersite · Towersite | 115 | Muzzleloader, archery | antlerless OK | — |
| Hite Prairie CA · Conservation area | 103 | Archery only | antlerless OK | — |
| Wigwam School Access · Public access | 78 | Archery only | antlerless OK | — |
Public areas just outside Morgan County
- Mount Hulda Towersite13 miles · 38 ac · Benton County
- Rocky Mount Towersite15 miles · 40 ac · Miller County
- Kahrs-Boger Park17 miles · 108 ac · Pettis County
- Brick School Road Tract (MRAP)17 miles · 80 ac · Moniteau County
- Dry Fork Creek Tract (MRAP)18 miles · 207 ac · Moniteau County
- Mora CA19 miles · 601 ac · Benton County
Areas from our Missouri land list (MDC area pages and the MDC area deer quick regs, USFS, USFWS, Corps and NPS records); acres by kind from MDC, USFS, USFWS, PAD-US and NPS GIS layers (GIS measures, not official acreages); MRAP from the MDC MRAP program. Checked October 29, 2026.
Morgan County offices and local help
Columbia hosts the Central Regional Office that covers Morgan County. About 28 miles from the county centre, Sedalia has the closest MDC office open to visitors.
Morgan County town guides
- Versaillespop. 2,693 · seat
- Stoverpop. 1,067
Services near Morgan County
Confirm hours and venison policies by phone; November is the busy month.
Around Morgan County
- Benton CountyKansas City
- Camden CountyCentral
- Cooper CountyCentral
- Miller CountyCentral
- Moniteau CountyCentral
- Pettis CountyKansas City
Offices from MDC offices open to the public; services from MDC lists and directories as tagged; towns from Census 2024. Checked October 29, 2026.
Morgan County: ranges, lanes and trap fields
3 ranges are on file for Morgan County, from MDC lines to clubs and indoor lanes.
Of the MDC and other public ranges, Scrivner Road CA range is closest, about 27 miles from the Morgan County centre. Full page
Ranges from MDC area pages and its Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ own sites and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
Shooting hours in Morgan County
Times for Morgan County come from the MDC Jefferson City table, moved by the longitude rule MDC prints with it.
| Day | Moment | First sun | Last sun | Deer hours | Bird hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:41 a.m. | 7:42 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 8:12 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:53 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:08 a.m. | 6:54 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 6:54 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:45 a.m. | 5:05 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:53 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:28 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:28 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. |
Hours rule and the Jefferson City sunrise and sunset table from the MDC Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Digest (same table in the Fall Deer and Turkey booklet), adjusted 1 minute per 13.5 miles east or west as MDC directs; checked October 29, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Fishing in Morgan County
Lakes, rivers, boat ramps and bait shops for Morgan County are on State Fishing Spots, our sister site.
Hunter questions on Morgan County rules
What is the nearest MDC office to Morgan County?
Sedalia Office in Sedalia.
Which deer processors serve Morgan County?
Hoover's Wild Game Processing LLC, Mark's Meat Processing and K & R Butchering LLC, ranked by distance.
What orange must I wear in Morgan County during the firearms portions?
A hunter orange hat plus an orange shirt, vest or coat, visible from all sides.
Can I shoot a doe with a gun in Morgan County this season?
Yes, up to 4 deer on firearms antlerless permits, plus any-deer permits.
Does the old CWD Management Zone still affect Morgan County?
No. MDC dropped the zone and the CWD portion for 2026, so no zone rules apply anywhere.
What was the 2025 Telecheck total for Morgan County?
3,962 deer in the 2025 permit year.
What time does spring turkey hunting end on public land in Morgan County?
1 p.m. on public land.
Is Morgan County inside Black Bear Management Zone 1, 2 or 3?
Zone 3, going by the GIS overlay of the 2026 bear zones.
Where is the nearest public land outside Morgan County?
Mount Hulda Towersite, about 13 miles from the centre.
Answers from the 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations, the county rules table, the hunter orange rule, Telecheck rules, MDC harvest summaries and the sources above. Checked October 29, 2026.
Morgan County reminders for the 2026-27 season
Ask before hunting private land in Morgan County; written permission avoids trouble.
Sources: 2026 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations, MDC hunting, Census and the sources in each section. Checked October 29, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).