Missouri › Species › Long-tailed Weasel
No open season
Long-tailed weasel in Missouri: no open season
No open season in 2026-27: what the Wildlife Code says and what is open instead.
Photo: Jena Fuller (CC BY-SA 2.0)
How Missouri protects long-tailed weasels
Long-tailed weasels stay off the Missouri season calendar for 2026-27; protection status, the penalty side and nearby legal hunts follow.
- MDC note: Furbearer with no open season.
- No open season: Furbearers with no open season; mountain lions may be killed only when attacking livestock/pets or threatening people (report within 24 hrs).
| Listed as | Rule | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Long-tailed weasel | Furbearer with no open season. | |
| Furbearers | No open season for mountain lion, spotted skunk (endangered) and long-tailed weasel. |
MDC source, season table, checked October 29, 2026.
Long-tailed Weasel and the protected species rules
The same chapter of the Code that covers long-tailed weasels lists these protections.
| 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.
Legal alternatives to long-tailed weasels
Closest open seasons to long-tailed weasels, from the same MDC booklets.
| Species | Season | Opens | Closes | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mink | Trapping | Nov 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | Any number |
| River Otter | Trapping | Nov 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | Any number |
| Badger | Hunting and trapping | Nov 15, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | Any number |
Dates from the Fall Deer and Turkey booklet, waterfowl digest and hunting and trapping summary, checked October 29, 2026.
Penalties for taking long-tailed weasels
| 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.
Answers about long-tailed weasels
What happens if someone takes long-tailed weasels illegally?
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).
Who do I call about long-tailed weasels taken illegally?
Call Operation Game Thief at 800-392-1111; rewards are offered and callers may stay anonymous.
If long-tailed weasels are closed, what is open?
mink, river otter and badger have pages with dates and limits.
Are the weasel rules current?
The 2026 MDC booklets and the Wildlife Code pages read on October 29, 2026 show no weasel season; any change would come through the Conservation Commission and the Code.
Do trapping seasons include long-tailed weasels?
No trapping season covers long-tailed weasels either; the Code allows taking only as it permits (3 CSR 10-4.110), and the 2026 trapping tables carry no weasel row.
May I keep a weasel hit by a car?
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.
Where does the weasel rule come from?
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 there a weasel season in Missouri?
No. No season: Furbearer with no open season.
What is the legal status of long-tailed weasels?
Furbearer with no open season.
How does MDC classify long-tailed weasels?
Furbearers. No open season for mountain lion, spotted skunk (endangered) and long-tailed weasel.
Other photos on this page: J L (CC BY-SA 2.0).