Missouri › Species › Sandhill Crane
No open season
Sandhill crane in Missouri: no open season
Why there is no crane season, with the Code rule and related hunts.
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Why sandhill cranes have no Missouri season
Looking for a crane season in Missouri? There is none, and the MDC sources quoted here say why.
- MDC note: No Missouri season.
- No open season: No Missouri season in the 2026-27 digest.
| Listed as | Rule | Code |
|---|---|---|
| All other wildlife | No wildlife may be taken, possessed or sold except as the Code permits (3 CSR 10-4.110); migratory nongame birds protected federally. | 3 CSR 10-4.110 |
MDC source, season table, checked October 29, 2026.
Protection rules around sandhill cranes
MDC and the Code list these protections; sandhill cranes 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 sandhill cranes
Related game with dates this season, for anyone looking up sandhill cranes.
| Species | Season | Opens | Closes | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Goose | Early Canada goose | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | 3 daily combined, 9 possession |
| White-fronted Goose | Regular geese | Nov 11, 2026 | Feb 6, 2027 | 3 Canada/brant, 2 white-fronted, 20 light ge |
Dates from the Fall Deer and Turkey booklet, waterfowl digest and hunting and trapping summary, checked October 29, 2026.
What breaking the crane 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.
Sandhill Crane questions
Are sandhill cranes covered by any trapping season?
No trapping season covers sandhill cranes either; the Code allows taking only as it permits (3 CSR 10-4.110), and the 2026 trapping tables carry no crane row.
Can crane 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 crane 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 sandhill cranes?
No. No season: No Missouri season.
Is killing sandhill cranes 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 sandhill cranes?
Call Operation Game Thief at 800-392-1111; rewards are offered and callers may stay anonymous.
Which related species have seasons?
canada goose and white-fronted goose have pages with dates and limits.
Will Missouri open a crane season in 2027?
The 2026 MDC booklets and the Wildlife Code pages read on October 29, 2026 show no crane season; any change would come through the Conservation Commission and the Code.
Other photos on this page: Jena Fuller (CC BY-SA 2.0).