Missouri › Species › Feral Swine
Frogs, falconry and unprotected species
Feral hog rules in Missouri
No season: eradication rules, who may take hogs, and how to report them to MDC.
Photo: Jena Fuller (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Feral hogs are not game in Missouri. MDC and its partners are trying to eliminate them, so taking is allowed only in the narrow cases the Code lists.
Feral Swine in the MDC summary
- Take: Any number where allowed.
- How and when: Only incidental take by deer/turkey/small game permittees in season with their methods; landowners any time on own land; MDC asks hunters to report hogs.
- Keep in mind: Invasive; elimination partnership.
MDC source (as of Feb 6, 2026), checked October 29, 2026.
Every feral hog season row
1 row for feral hogs, as the 2026-27 MDC booklets list them; the last column checks each against today.
| Season | Zone or counties | Bag | From | To | Days | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No hunting season (eradication rules) | Statewide | Any number where allowed | No season |
Feral Swine row details
- Not a game species. Hunters with an unfilled deer permit may take hogs during deer seasons using deer methods; small game permittees with small-game methods; spring turkey permittees with turkey methods/hours. Resident landowners may kill hogs on their own land any time, any method, no permit. Taking hogs on MDC lands is prohibited outside deer and turkey seasons. MDC asks people to report hogs (573-522-4115 ext. 3296) instead of shooting them.
From Wildlife Code of Missouri, checked October 29, 2026.
What breaking the feral hog rule costs
| 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.
Who may kill feral hogs
- Not a game species.
- Hunters with an unfilled deer permit may take hogs during deer seasons using deer methods; small game permittees with small-game methods; spring turkey permittees with turkey methods/hours.
- Resident landowners may kill hogs on their own land any time, any method, no permit.
- Taking hogs on MDC lands is prohibited outside deer and turkey seasons.
- MDC asks people to report hogs (573-522-4115 ext.
- 3296) instead of shooting them.
Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership: report hogs rather than shoot them; releasing hogs is illegal.
| Rule | Text |
|---|---|
| Night vision | May not be possessed with a weapon except for coyotes in the same windows, landowners killing feral swine, or with MDC written authorization. |
| Lights | Not to spot or take game while holding a weapon, except treed furbearers (dogs) and coyotes Jan 1-Sept 30 excluding spring turkey season (2026: Jan 1-Apr 19 and May 11-Sept 30); landowners may use lights on their land without weapons. |
Wildlife Code, hog partnership, checked October 29, 2026.
Limits and permits for feral hog hunters
Permit prices for feral hogs match the Wildlife Code fee schedule; phone sales add $1 and there is no online surcharge.
| Limit row | Limit |
|---|---|
| Feral swine | Any number where taking is allowed. |
From Wildlife Code of Missouri, checked October 29, 2026.
Field rules for feral hogs
- Legal light: Incidental take of feral hogs follows the hours of the permit in use: deer hours with a deer permit, turkey hours with a spring turkey permit.
- Orange: Orange is required for feral hogs during the November portion statewide and the antlerless portions in open counties.
shooting hours, hunter orange, methods, checked October 29, 2026.
Feral Swine questions
Does MDC trap feral hogs?
Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership: report hogs rather than shoot them; releasing hogs is illegal.
How many feral hogs can I take?
Any number where taking is allowed.
What is the legal hunting time for feral hogs?
Incidental take of feral hogs follows the hours of the permit in use: deer hours with a deer permit, turkey hours with a spring turkey permit.
Must I wear hunter orange for feral hogs?
Orange is required for feral hogs during the November portion statewide and the antlerless portions in open counties.
Can feral hogs be hunted every day of the week?
Yes. No Missouri rule closes Sundays, so plan feral hog hunts on any day of the week.
Is it legal to release hogs in Missouri?
Taking hogs on MDC lands is prohibited outside deer and turkey seasons; resident landowners may kill hogs on their own land at any time, by any method, without a permit. MDC asks people to report hogs (573-522-4115 ext. 3296) instead of shooting them, and releasing hogs is illegal.
Can deer hunters shoot hogs?
Hunters with an unfilled deer permit during deer seasons using deer methods; small game permittees with small game methods; spring turkey permittees with turkey methods and hours.
Is thermal legal for hogs?
May not be possessed with a weapon except for coyotes in the same windows, landowners killing feral swine, or with MDC written authorization.