Furbearers
Muskrat hunting in Missouri
Seasons, bag limits, permit prices and where to hunt muskrats in 2026-27.
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Here are the 2026-27 muskrat rules as MDC prints them, opening Nov 15, 2026, with harvest figures and conservation areas wherever the data has them.
Muskrat in the MDC summary
- Take: Any number.
- How and when: Trapping Nov 15-Feb 28.
MDC source (as of Feb 6, 2026), checked October 29, 2026.
GearHeading out for a hunt? Hunting gear checklists by season →
Every muskrat season row
1 row for muskrats, as the 2026-27 MDC booklets list them; the last column checks each against today.
| Season | Zone or counties | Bag | From | To | Days | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trapping | Statewide | Any number | Nov 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 106 |
Muskrat row details
- Otter pelts must be registered/tagged by April 10.
From Hunting and Trapping Summary p. 20, checked October 29, 2026.
How muskrats may be trapped
| Trapping | Rule |
|---|---|
| Legal | Smooth or rubber-jawed foot-hold, Conibear-type, foot-enclosing, cage and colony traps; snares only in water (loop <=15 in.); cable restraints (12 in. loop, breakaway 350 lb, Nov 15-Jan 31 rules per Code); electronic calls allowed. |
| Not legal | Dry-land snares, pitfalls, deadfalls, nets; killing traps near public roads except underwater. |
No furbearer dogs may run in daylight from Nov 1 through the end of the November portion, which affects muskrat hunters.
Record muskrat weights
| Weight | County | Date | Sex |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 lb 5.3 oz | Cass County | Jan 29, 2020 | Male |
trapping summary, MDC record weights, checked October 29, 2026.
Limits and permits for muskrat hunters
Permit prices for muskrats match the Wildlife Code fee schedule; phone sales add $1 and there is no online surcharge.
| Limit row | Limit |
|---|---|
| Crows, groundhogs, furbearers | Any number. |
What muskrat permits cost
| Permit | Residency | Who | Price | Valid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trapping | resident | Age 16+ | $12 | To June 30, 2027 |
| Furbearer and Trapping | nonresident | All | $221.50 | To June 30, 2027 |
| Lifetime Trapping | resident | Age 15 or younger / 16-29 / 30-39 / 40-59 / 60+ | $320 / $465.50 / $407 / $349 / $40.50 | Lifetime |
From Hunting and Trapping Summary p. 11, Hunting and Trapping Summary p. 18, Hunting and Trapping Summary p. 8 and Hunting and Trapping Summary p. 9, checked October 29, 2026.
Field rules for muskrats
- Legal light: MDC lists no hours for muskrats; what limits night hunting is the light rule (treed furbearers and coyotes only, Jan 1-Apr 19 and May 11-Sept 30, 2026).
- Orange: Orange is required for muskrats during the November portion statewide and the antlerless portions in open counties.
What may be used on muskrats
| Methods | Rule |
|---|---|
| Legal | Smooth or rubber-jawed foot-hold, Conibear-type, foot-enclosing, cage and colony traps; snares only in water (loop <=15 in.); cable restraints (12 in. loop, breakaway 350 lb, Nov 15-Jan 31 rules per Code); electronic calls allowed. |
| Not legal | Dry-land snares, pitfalls, deadfalls, nets; killing traps near public roads except underwater. |
shooting hours, hunter orange, methods, checked October 29, 2026.
When legal light starts for muskrats
Use this as a guide for muskrats; the MDC table and the longitude rule give the exact minute for any spot. The Code sets no shooting hours for muskrats, so the table shows sunrise and sunset only.
| Date | County | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2026 | Jackson County | 7:00 a.m. | 5:05 p.m. |
| Nov 15, 2026 | St. Louis County | 6:44 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Greene County | 6:56 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Boone County | 6:52 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Cape Girardeau County | 6:41 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Nodaway County | 7:02 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. |
| Feb 28, 2027 | Jackson County | 6:51 a.m. | 6:10 p.m. |
| Feb 28, 2027 | St. Louis County | 6:35 a.m. | 5:54 p.m. |
| Feb 28, 2027 | Greene County | 6:47 a.m. | 6:06 p.m. |
| Feb 28, 2027 | Boone County | 6:43 a.m. | 6:02 p.m. |
| Feb 28, 2027 | Cape Girardeau County | 6:32 a.m. | 5:51 p.m. |
| Feb 28, 2027 | Nodaway County | 6:53 a.m. | 6:12 p.m. |
MDC sunrise and sunset table with the MDC longitude rule; checked October 29, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Muskrat questions
How much is a permit for muskrats?
For muskrats, the resident Trapping permit costs $12 (Age 16+). A nonresident hunting muskrats pays $221.50 for the Furbearer and Trapping permit. There is no online surcharge on muskrat permits; phone orders add $1.
Can I use a rifle for muskrats?
Smooth or rubber-jawed foot-hold, Conibear-type, foot-enclosing, cage and colony traps; snares only in water (loop <=15 in.); cable restraints (12 in. loop, breakaway 350 lb, Nov 15-Jan 31 rules per Code); electronic calls allowed. Not legal: Dry-land snares, pitfalls, deadfalls, nets; killing traps near public roads except underwater.
What is the legal hunting time for muskrats?
MDC lists no hours for muskrats; what limits night hunting is the light rule (treed furbearers and coyotes only, Jan 1-Apr 19 and May 11-Sept 30, 2026).
Must I wear hunter orange for muskrats?
Orange is required for muskrats during the November portion statewide and the antlerless portions in open counties.
Can muskrats be hunted every day of the week?
Yes. No Missouri rule closes Sundays, so plan muskrat hunts on any day of the week.
What does the record muskrat weigh?
4 lb 5.3 oz, Cass County, Jan 29, 2020 (male). MDC record-weight furbearers, weighed on a certified scale since 2011.
When are dogs banned for muskrats?
Not for bear, deer, elk, turkey, beaver, mink, muskrat, otter (leashed tracking dogs excepted); no furbearer dogs in daylight Nov 1-end of November portion and antlerless portions; dogs must wear a collar with ID (except waterfowl and game-bird dogs); training only with blanks in closed season.
When does muskrat season open in Missouri?
Trapping Nov 15, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027.
What is the daily bag for muskrats?
Any number.