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Northeast Region county guide
Pike County Hunting
Pike County sits in the MDC Northeast Region. This page lists its 2026 deer rules, every dated season, harvest and CWD results by year, its public areas with acres and the offices that serve it.
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
What MDC set for Pike County this season
Bowling Green anchors Pike County, a county of 670 square miles in the MDC Northeast Region. Census Vintage 2024 counts 17,961 residents, 2.1% more than the April 2020 base. The firearms antlerless fill limit for Pike County is 4 deer for 2026-27; archery antlerless permits are not capped by county. The county is open during the early antlerless portion (Oct. 9-11) and the late antlerless portion (Dec. 5-13). MDC requires sampling of Pike County deer harvested Nov. 14-15; stations are open 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
| Rule | Pike County | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms antlerless fill limit | 4 deer | All firearms portions |
| Antlerless portions | Open | Oct. 9-11, Dec. 5-13 |
| Mandatory CWD sampling | Nov. 14-15 | Day of harvest |
| Feed and mineral ban | No | Year-round |
| Share the Harvest test | Not 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 | None | Oct. 17-30, by permit |
| Waterfowl zone (map layer) | North | 2021-2025 layer |
| SE flood closure zone | None | Gauge-based |
| CWD portion | Removed | Gone for 2026 |
| Antler-point restriction | Removed | Gone for 2026 |
CWD sampling stations in Pike County
| Station | Near | Address | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pike County Fairgrounds | Bowling Green | 15894 Hwy. 54 | Find |
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 Pike County
Pike County deer totals by permit year
Pike County closed out 2025 with 4,848 deer on the Telecheck books, 1,818 of them antlered bucks and 2,542 does. A year earlier the county logged 4,425, a 10% smaller number. Totals ranged from 3,712 (2015) to 4,855 (2023). Its 2025 total put Pike County 6th statewide out of 114 counties. By portion, 2,402 came in the November firearms days and 949 in archery season.
| Season | Antlered | Buttons | Does | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,818 | 488 | 2,542 | 4,848 |
| 2024 | 1,570 | 477 | 2,378 | 4,425 |
| 2023 | 1,876 | 480 | 2,499 | 4,855 |
| 2022 | 1,912 | 420 | 2,235 | 4,567 |
| 2021 | 1,548 | 467 | 2,011 | 4,026 |
| 2020 | 1,815 | 429 | 2,069 | 4,313 |
| 2019 | 1,901 | 358 | 1,989 | 4,248 |
| 2018 | 1,821 | 448 | 2,101 | 4,370 |
| 2017 | 1,760 | 439 | 1,683 | 3,882 |
| 2016 | 1,624 | 448 | 1,677 | 3,749 |
| 2015 | 1,466 | 477 | 1,769 | 3,712 |
Pike County portion table
| Portion | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 837 | 949 |
| Early youth | 242 | 366 |
| Early antlerless | 110 | 152 |
| Opening weekend* | 1,156 | 1,063 |
| November portion | 2,475 | 2,402 |
| Late youth | 58 | 34 |
| Late antlerless | 478 | 646 |
| Alternative methods | 209 | 285 |
| Managed hunts | 16 | 14 |
At 7.8 deer taken per square mile, Pike County ran above its region (5.7) in 2025.
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.
Pike County draw hunts, bear, elk and ducks
Drawn deer hunts in Pike County
Clarence Cannon NWR and Clarence Cannon NWR (573-847-2333) carry the Pike County share of the 141-hunt managed list (2 on the schedule).
| Hunt | Location | Type | Dates | Drawn | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 114 | Clarence Cannon NWR | Youth – Firearms | Dec. 5–6 | 5 | 1 either sex |
| None | Clarence Cannon NWR (573-847-2333) | Disabled hunters – Firearms | Oct. 16–18 | 9 | 2, 1 antlered |
Which duck zone Pike County is in
Pike County is North Zone country by the GIS layer, but the new 2026-2030 boundary text governs near the line.
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Regular ducks | North | Oct 31–Dec 29 |
Pike County morning-draw wetlands
Half the spots go by reservation (pre-season Sept. 1-18 and weekly in season) and half by the morning drawing; parties are capped at four.
| Wetland | Acres | Area phone | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Shanks | 6,705 | 573-248-2530 | — |
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.
Pike County open and close dates
Each row below is a dated MDC season that applies in Pike County; the status column compares it with today.
| Animal | Season | Area rule | Start | Finish | Right 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 | |
| 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 | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Regular ducks | North Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | |
| 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.
What Pike County turkey and CWD data show
In spring 2026 the county recorded 419 turkeys in the regular season. Looking back to 2016, 2026 had the most spring birds (419). Fall 2025 added 12 firearms and 5 archery turkeys. Spring rows for 2026 are a season already past; spring 2027 dates are still to come from MDC.
| Year | Youth | Spring | Fall firearms | Fall archery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 57 | 419 | — | — |
| 2025 | 48 | 356 | 12 | 5 |
| 2024 | 37 | 336 | 18 | 11 |
| 2023 | 18 | 339 | 8 | 20 |
| 2022 | 23 | 255 | 13 | 18 |
| 2021 | 13 | 297 | 6 | 24 |
| 2020 | 29 | 321 | 12 | 15 |
| 2019 | 23 | 265 | 12 | 16 |
| 2018 | 10 | 261 | 19 | 19 |
| 2017 | 42 | 348 | 18 | 11 |
| 2016 | 39 | 384 | 24 | 16 |
Pike County CWD samples by year
Across the sample years shown, Pike County hunters and staff submitted 679 samples; positives number 0. No positive deer from Pike County appears in MDC's results.
| Season | Tests | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 12 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | 57 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | 62 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | 70 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 63 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 54 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | 60 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | 73 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | 75 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | 40 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | 113 | 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.
Where to hunt in Pike County
The table below covers all 8 public hunting areas we list in Pike County. Roughly 17,187 acres, 4.0% of Pike County, are public by GIS measure. 6 additional sites bar hunting and are not listed.
| Area | Acres | Deer | Antlerless | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Mississippi CA · Conservation area | 14,912 | Archery only | antlerless OK | — |
| Ted Shanks CA · Conservation area | 4,026 | Archery only | antlerless OK | morning draw, 1 dove field |
| Clarence Cannon NWR · National wildlife refuge | 3,761 | — | — | 2 managed hunts |
| Great River NWR (Missouri portion) · National wildlife refuge | 2,786 | — | — | — |
| Ranacker CA · Conservation area | 1,831 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Dupont Reservation CA · Conservation area | 1,320 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Edward Anderson CA · Conservation area | 1,046 | Archery and firearms | antlerless OK | — |
| Prairie Slough CA · Conservation area | 584 | Archery only | antlerless OK | — |
Next-door areas for Pike County hunters
- William G. and Erma Parke White MWA14 miles · 810 ac · Lincoln County
- Vonaventure Memorial Forest and Wildlife Area15 miles · 203 ac · Lincoln County
- William R. Logan CA15 miles · 1,798 ac · Lincoln County
- Vandalia Community Lake21 miles · 146 ac · Audrain County
- Kessler MWA24 miles · 157 ac · Lincoln County
- Cuivre River SP25 miles · 6,364 ac · Lincoln 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.
MDC offices, towns and services for Pike County
The MDC Northeast Region office is in Kirksville, phone (660) 785-2420. MDC offices sell permits; the nearest one to Pike County is in Hannibal, about 29 miles off.
Towns near Pike County land
- Bowling Greenpop. 4,380 · seat
- Louisianapop. 3,244
- Clarksvillepop. 376
- Frankfordpop. 346
Pike County processors, mounts and gear shops
Share the Harvest and CWD partner tags come from MDC lists; other shops come from business directories.
Pike County adjoining counties
- Audrain CountyCentral
- Lincoln CountySt. Louis
- Montgomery CountyCentral
- Ralls CountyNortheast
Offices from MDC offices open to the public; services from MDC lists and directories as tagged; towns from Census 2024. Checked October 29, 2026.
Pike County dinners, hunts and classes
Kinds on file here: youth managed deer hunt. Count: 1 upcoming event.
Still to come
| Held on | Event | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 5–6, 2026 | Clarence Cannon NWR Youth Managed Deer Hunt 2026 · youth managed deer hunt | Event details | Source |
Pike County: ranges, lanes and trap fields
Pike County has 1 listed range, including the MDC range at Ranacker Conservation Area.
Ranges from MDC area pages and its Shooting Ranges layer, the operators’ own sites and directory listings, checked October 29, 2026.
First and last shooting light in Pike County
Use these Pike County times for the key opening and closing days; rabbits are sunrise to sunset.
| Date | Opener or close | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:34 a.m. | 7:35 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. to 8:05 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:46 a.m. | 7:13 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall firearms turkey | 7:01 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 7:17 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Middle Zone ducks | 6:38 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | November firearms opener | 6:46 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| Dec 26, 2026 | Alternative methods | 7:21 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Archery close | 7:21 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 5:08 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.
Pike County questions and short answers
What is the firearms antlerless fill limit in Pike County?
4 deer for 2026-27.
Can I use a crossbow in Pike County during archery season?
Yes. Crossbows are legal archery methods.
How many does came out of Pike County in the 2025 season?
2,542 does, by the MDC county table.
Is there a confirmed CWD case on record for Pike County?
MDC's first-positive list, current to June 2026, does not include this county.
Does the 2026 Missouri bear season reach Pike County?
No. The county lies outside Black Bear Management Zones 1-3.
How many fall turkeys were taken in Pike County in 2025?
12 with firearms and 5 with archery.
Which of the eight MDC regions takes in Pike County?
The Northeast Region, with its office in Kirksville.
Are there MRAP walk-in tracts in Pike County?
None in this county.
Which processors on this page sit closest to Pike County?
Woods Smoked Meats, Prairie Winds Processing LLC and Brown's Processing, nearest first; phone before dropping off a deer.
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.
Before you hunt Pike County this fall
Where this page and MDC differ, MDC is right.
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).