Missouri › Species › Mountain Lion
No open season
Mountain lion in Missouri: no open season
Protected or closed in Missouri; status, rules and penalties from MDC sources.
Photo: Jena Fuller (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Mountain Lion: closed all year
The 2026-27 MDC tables carry a no-season line for mountain lions, and the Wildlife Code backs it up, as the sections below show.
- MDC note: May be killed only in defense of livestock, pets or people; report immediately.
- Code rule: 3 CSR 10-4.130
| Listed as | Rule | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 3 CSR 10-4.130 |
| Furbearers | No open season for mountain lion, spotted skunk (endangered) and long-tailed weasel. |
MDC source, checked October 29, 2026.
What else the Code protects besides mountain lions
Protected wildlife in Missouri, mountain lions among them:
| 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.
Nearby seasons for mountain lion seekers
If you came for mountain lions, these are the nearest legal hunts.
| Species | Season | Opens | Closes | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bear | Bear, zone 1 | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | 1 black bear of either sex |
| Black Bear | Bear, zone 2 | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | 1 black bear of either sex |
| Bobcat | Hunting and trapping | Nov 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | Any number |
| Coyote | Coyote hunting | Jan 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | Any number |
| Coyote | Trapping | Nov 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | Any number |
| Elk | Archery portion | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 1 elk with at least one antler 6 in.+ |
| Elk | Firearms portion | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | 1 antlered elk |
Dates from the Fall Deer and Turkey booklet, waterfowl digest and hunting and trapping summary, checked October 29, 2026.
Mountain Lion: violations and 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.
Mountain Lion, answered
Which rule covers mountain lions?
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. (3 CSR 10-4.130)
Are mountain lions legal to hunt in Missouri?
No. No season: May be killed only in defense of livestock, pets or people; report immediately. Rule: 3 CSR 10-4.130.
How are mountain lion violations punished?
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).
Where do mountain lions sit in the Code species lists?
Furbearers. No open season for mountain lion, spotted skunk (endangered) and long-tailed weasel.
What are the legal alternatives to mountain lions?
black bear, bobcat, coyote and elk have pages with dates and limits.
Where can poaching of mountain lions be reported?
Call Operation Game Thief at 800-392-1111; rewards are offered and callers may stay anonymous.
How current is this mountain lion information?
The 2026 MDC booklets and the Wildlife Code pages read on October 29, 2026 show no mountain lion season; any change would come through the Conservation Commission and the Code.
What must be done after a mountain lion is killed?
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.
Is it legal to possess mountain lion parts?
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.
May a trapper keep mountain lions caught by accident?
No trapping season covers mountain lions either; the Code allows taking only as it permits (3 CSR 10-4.110), and the 2026 trapping tables carry no mountain lion row.
Which agency decides on mountain lions?
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).
Other photos on this page: J L (CC BY-SA 2.0).