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No open season
King rail in Missouri: no open season
Why there is no king rail season, with the Code rule and related hunts.
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Why king rails have no Missouri season
Looking for a king rail season in Missouri? There is none, and the MDC sources quoted here say why.
- MDC note: State endangered.
- Code rule: 3 CSR 10-4.111
| Listed as | Rule | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Birds: northern harrier, interior least tern, Swainson's warbler, snowy egret, king rail, Bachman's sparrow, American bittern | State endangered. | 3 CSR 10-4.111 |
MDC source, checked October 29, 2026.
Protection rules around king rails
MDC and the Code list these protections; king rails are one line of it.
| 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.
Related open seasons to king rails
Related game with dates this season, for anyone looking up king rails.
| Species | Season | Opens | Closes | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sora | Rail season | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | 25 daily combined, 75 possession |
| Virginia Rail | Rail season | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | 25 daily combined, 75 possession |
| Wilson's Snipe | Snipe season | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | 8 daily, 24 possession |
Dates from the Fall Deer and Turkey booklet, waterfowl digest and hunting and trapping summary, checked October 29, 2026.
What breaking the king rail 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.
King Rail questions
Will Missouri open a king rail season in 2027?
The 2026 MDC booklets and the Wildlife Code pages read on October 29, 2026 show no king rail season; any change would come through the Conservation Commission and the Code.
Are king rails covered by any trapping season?
No trapping season covers king rails either; the Code allows taking only as it permits (3 CSR 10-4.110), and the 2026 trapping tables carry no king rail row.
Can king rail parts be sold in Missouri?
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.
Who could change the king rail status?
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).
Does Missouri open a season on king rails?
No. No season: State endangered. Rule: 3 CSR 10-4.111.
How does the Wildlife Code treat king rails?
State endangered. (3 CSR 10-4.111)
Is killing king rails a crime in Missouri?
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).
How can I tip off MDC about king rails?
Call Operation Game Thief at 800-392-1111; rewards are offered and callers may stay anonymous.
Which related species have seasons?
sora, virginia rail and wilson's snipe have pages with dates and limits.
Other photos on this page: Jena Fuller (CC BY-SA 2.0).