Missouri › Species › Black-tailed Jackrabbit
No open season
Black-tailed jackrabbit in Missouri: no open season
Closed all year in Missouri: the rule, the reasons and legal alternatives.
Photo: Good Fire Photos (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
The legal status of black-tailed jackrabbits
No hunter or trapper may take black-tailed jackrabbits in Missouri this permit year; the reasons, the Code rule and the penalties below come from MDC and the Wildlife Code.
- MDC note: State endangered.
- Code rule: 3 CSR 10-4.111
- Closed: Protected at all times (endangered: black-tailed jackrabbit).
| Listed as | Rule | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Black-tailed jackrabbit | State endangered; jackrabbits may not be hunted or trapped at any time. | 3 CSR 10-4.111 |
| Game mammals (3 CSR 10-20.805) | Open seasons for all except jackrabbit (protected; black-tailed jackrabbit is state endangered). |
MDC source, season table, checked October 29, 2026.
Wildlife protected alongside black-tailed jackrabbits
The Wildlife Code protects black-tailed jackrabbits along with these species and parts.
| Species or item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mountain lion | No season. May be killed only when attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals or threatening human safety; report immediately and surrender the intact carcass within 24 hours. |
| Black-tailed jackrabbit | State endangered; jackrabbits may not be hunted or trapped at any time. |
| Eastern spotted skunk | State endangered; no season. |
| Greater prairie-chicken | State endangered; no season. |
| Bats (gray, Ozark big-eared, Indiana, northern long-eared) | State endangered. |
| Birds: northern harrier, interior least tern, Swainson's warbler, snowy egret, king rail, Bachman's sparrow, American bittern | State endangered. |
| Reptiles/amphibians: western chicken turtle, Blanding's turtle, yellow mud turtle, Mississippi green watersnake, eastern and prairie massasauga, eastern and Ozark hellbender | State endangered. |
| Long-tailed weasel | Furbearer with no open season. |
| Elk outside Carter, Reynolds and Shannon counties | No legal harvest of free-ranging elk outside the elk hunting counties; report sightings. |
| Black bears with cubs or in dens | Only lone bears may be taken; denned bears may not be disturbed or taken. |
| Black bear gallbladders | May not be bought, sold, given away; extracted gallbladders may not be transported into or within Missouri. |
| Furbearer dens and nests | May not be molested or destroyed. |
General prohibition: No wildlife may be pursued, taken, possessed, sold, imported or released except as the Code allows (3 CSR 10-4.110); hours are prevailing local time.
Wildlife Code of Missouri chapters 4 and 7, checked October 29, 2026.
Open seasons instead of black-tailed jackrabbits
No jackrabbit season, but these neighbors on the species list are open.
| Species | Season | Opens | Closes | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Cottontail | Rabbit hunting | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | 6 daily (max 2 swamp rabbits), 12 possession |
| Eastern Cottontail | Rabbit trapping | Nov 15, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 daily (2 swamp), 12 possession |
| Swamp Rabbit | Rabbit hunting | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | 6 daily (max 2 swamp rabbits), 12 possession |
| Swamp Rabbit | Rabbit trapping | Nov 15, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 daily (2 swamp), 12 possession |
Dates from the Fall Deer and Turkey booklet, waterfowl digest and hunting and trapping summary, checked October 29, 2026.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit poaching penalties
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Wildlife Code violations | Taking, possessing or disposing of wildlife except as the Commission's rules permit is a misdemeanor (fur dealer record-keeping: infraction, $10-$100). |
| Hunting injury | The Commission may suspend, revoke or deny hunting privileges up to 5 years for injuring a person mistaken for game; hunter safety course required before restoration. |
| Point system and privilege revocation | Commission may suspend or revoke hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for multiple or major violations within 5 years regardless of court outcome (3 CSR 10-5.216 point system). |
| Hunter harassment (first degree) | Intentionally interfering with lawful taking of wildlife, including harassing game to disrupt hunting: class A misdemeanor. |
| Hunter harassment (second degree) | Entering or remaining in a hunting area intending to interfere: class B misdemeanor. |
| Failure to desist | Failing to obey an officer's order to stop such interference: class A misdemeanor; conservation agents may enforce. |
| Trespass in the first degree | Knowingly entering or remaining on fenced or posted land (or after notice): class B misdemeanor. |
| Trespass in the second degree | Entering another's land unlawfully: infraction (absolute liability). |
| Firearms accident duty | A hunter involved in a firearms-related accident must identify themselves and render assistance; failure is a class A misdemeanor (as stated by MDC). |
| Conservation lands | Motor vehicles only on designated roads (45 mph default); camping, shooting, tree stands etc. only as authorized; no dumping. |
| Operation Game Thief | Report violations to 800-392-1111; rewards available, callers may remain anonymous. |
- Owner protection of property: Most wildlife (not deer, elk, turkey, bear, mountain lion, endangered species) may be killed to stop property damage with agent permission when other measures fail.
- Definition of take: Killing, trapping, snaring, netting, capturing; pursuing, molesting, hunting, wounding; setting devices; and assisting another. Tracking wounded deer/turkey with a leashed dog or drone is excluded.
RSMo 252.040 and the other statutes linked from the hunting laws page, checked October 29, 2026. Missouri hunting laws.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit hunting FAQ
Which body writes the rules on black-tailed jackrabbits?
The Wildlife Code of Missouri (Title 3, Division 10 of the Code of State Regulations) is adopted by the Conservation Commission under Mo. Const. Art. IV secs. 40-46; booklets incorporate the Code. Chapters used: 4 (general provisions), 5 (permits, fee schedule), 7 (seasons and methods), 8 (trapping), 9 (falconry), 20 (definitions).
Is jackrabbit hunting allowed in Missouri?
No. Closed: State endangered. Rule: 3 CSR 10-4.111.
Why are black-tailed jackrabbits protected in Missouri?
State endangered; jackrabbits may not be hunted or trapped at any time. (3 CSR 10-4.111)
Which Code list names black-tailed jackrabbits?
Game mammals (3 CSR 10-20.805). Open seasons for all except jackrabbit (protected; black-tailed jackrabbit is state endangered).
What penalty applies to black-tailed jackrabbits taken without a season?
Taking, possessing or disposing of wildlife except as the Commission's rules permit is a misdemeanor (fur dealer record-keeping: infraction, $10-$100). The Conservation Commission can also suspend or revoke privileges under the point system (3 CSR 10-5.216).
Can jackrabbit poaching be reported anonymously?
Call Operation Game Thief at 800-392-1111; rewards are offered and callers may stay anonymous.
Which open seasons are closest to black-tailed jackrabbits?
eastern cottontail and swamp rabbit have pages with dates and limits.
Is a jackrabbit season planned?
The 2026 MDC booklets and the Wildlife Code pages read on October 29, 2026 show no jackrabbit season; any change would come through the Conservation Commission and the Code.
Can black-tailed jackrabbits be trapped in Missouri?
No trapping season covers black-tailed jackrabbits either; the Code allows taking only as it permits (3 CSR 10-4.110), and the 2026 trapping tables carry no jackrabbit row.
May a jackrabbit be picked up and kept?
Not unless the Code allows it: No wildlife may be pursued, taken, possessed, sold, imported or released except as the Code allows (3 CSR 10-4.110); hours are prevailing local time.
Other photos on this page: Jena Fuller (CC BY-SA 2.0).