How to Get a Missouri Youth Hunting License
To get a Missouri youth hunting license for the 2026 season, the state has created a process that requires completing two basic steps: determining age-based and hunter-education requirements, and selecting the appropriate permits for the species and hunting methods.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has created a youth hunting program that provides affordable, accessible opportunities for young hunters while maintaining safety standards and fostering lifelong learning.
Let’s take a closer look at how to get a Missouri youth hunting license, the licensing requirements and obligations, and how to maximize the opportunities the license provides.
| Missouri Youth Hunting License — Quick Facts | ||
| Where to Purchase Online, In Person, by phone, or through the MO Hunting app | Who Qualifies Residents and non-residents ages 6–16 | Hunter Education Required if born on or after January 1, 1967 |
| Rules Must hunt with a licensed adult at least 18 years old (if younger than 11 years old) | ||
On this Page:
- How to Get a Missouri Youth Hunting License
- What Are the Missouri Youth License Costs (2026 Season)?
- What Is a Missouri Youth Hunting License?
- Who Needs a Youth Hunting License?
- Who Qualifies for a Missouri Youth License?
- Hunter Education Requirements
- How to Use a Youth Hunting License in Missouri
- 4 Tips for Parents and Mentors
- Take a Hunter Education Course to Hunt Safely in Missouri
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Get a Missouri Youth Hunting License
The steps on how to get a Missouri Youth hunting license follow a process based on the young hunter’s age, experience level, and hunting goals.
Step 1: Determine Age and Hunting Goals
Hunters ages 15 and younger can hunt game, excluding deer or turkey, without a hunting license as long as they have a hunter education card. Youth hunters without a hunter identification card must hunt with a licensed adult who has a hunter education card.
Youth 6 years or older are legally allowed to hunt deer or turkeys as long as the appropriate species-specific tag is purchased.
Step 2: Complete Hunter Education (if applicable)
MDC allows young hunters ages 11-15 to hunt independently, provided they have completed a state-approved hunter education program. If they have not, they must hunt with a licensed adult mentor who has completed a state-approved hunter education course.
Like many states that require a hunter education certificate before purchasing a hunting license, Missouri offers both online and self-study components, including a mandatory 4-hour in-person skills session.
Young hunters under age 11 are not allowed to enroll in a hunter education course. They must always hunt under the direct supervision of a qualified adult mentor.
Step 3: Purchase the Permit
Once the young hunter’s goals are determined and they meet the education requirements, you’re ready to purchase the appropriate youth hunting permit through one of the following options:
| Where to buy a Missouri youth hunting license: |
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The online and mobile app options are the fastest and provide immediate access to digital permits that can be stored on smartphones, eliminating the need for carrying printed permits in the field.
However, if you have questions or are unsure which permits are needed, your best options are to purchase the license in person or call MDC at the number above.
What Are the Missouri Youth License Costs (2026 Season)?
To encourage the next generation of young hunters to explore the outdoors and be active participants in conservation, Missouri has made the youth hunting license remarkably affordable and easily accessible, helping families of all economic backgrounds.
| Missouri Youth Hunting License Costs | |
| Permit Type | Cost (Resident/Non-Resident Youth Ages 6–15) |
| Firearms Any-Deer | $9.75 |
| Archery Deer | $11.00 |
| Spring Turkey | $9.75 |
| Fall Turkey | $7.50 |
| Small Game (16+) | $11.50 (Resident) $108.50 (Non-Resident) |
Special Lifetime Permit Option
For those families who want to invest in their child’s long-term commitment to hunting and fishing in the state, Missouri offers a Lifetime Conservation Partner Permit. This permit costs $640 for Missouri resident youth ages 0-15 and provides the permit holder with lifetime hunting and fishing privileges.
This lifetime permit includes hunting and fishing permits, such as the trout permit, migratory bird hunting permit, and conservation order permit.
However, deer and turkey hunting permits are not included, and a Federal Duck Stamp is still required for those over 16 hunting waterfowl.
Although the upfront cost might seem a bit steep, its lifetime value far exceeds the ongoing annual costs of purchasing hunting and fishing licenses throughout adulthood.
What Is a Missouri Youth Hunting License?
Now that you know how to get a Missouri youth hunting license, what does this special license actually do for a young hunter?
In short, a youth hunting license is a reduced-cost permit that allows youth ages 6-15 to hunt small game legally in Missouri. If a young hunter wants to pursue deer or turkey, they'll need an additional species-specific permit.
- Any young hunter between the ages of 11 and 15 who has completed a state-approved hunter education course can hunt independently.
- If the hunter has not completed the hunter education program, hunting must be conducted under the close supervision of an adult licensed hunter who has completed the program.
Hunters under the age of 11 must always hunt with a properly licensed adult hunter. Because of age- and species-specific requirements, always plan to have the appropriate permits for your hunt.
Who Needs a Youth Hunting License?
As we covered earlier, Missouri’s youth licensing requirements use a tiered system that uses the hunter’s age and the targeted species to determine which permits are required.
| Who Needs a Youth Hunting License in Missouri | |
Ages 15 and Younger | Not Required. Youth in this age range are not required to have a basic hunting permit if they are only hunting small game. Hunting turkey or deer does require a species-specific youth permit. |
| Ages 11–15 | Those between 11 and 15 years old can hunt without adult supervision as long as they have completed a hunter education course. If they have not earned their hunter education certificate, they must be accompanied by a licensed adult mentor during every hunt. |
Ages 6–15 (Deer & Turkey) | Must purchase a youth deer permit or a youth turkey permit before hunting these species. These species-specific permits are offered at a reduced price and apply to both firearm and archery methods. |
Ages 16+ | Hunters aged 16 and older are no longer eligible to purchase a youth license or youth permit for deer or turkey and must purchase a standard adult license. |
Knowing the age requirements for a hunting license can help families avoid confusion and potential legal issues, especially as young hunters begin exploring independent hunting and progress from small game to turkey and deer.
Who Qualifies for a Missouri Youth License?
Missouri offers a youth hunting license to both residents and non-residents. However, resident youth pay a significantly lower cost, reflecting their families’ contributions to the state through economic activity and taxes.
Age eligibility for the youth license spans 6–15, with those ages 11–15 able to complete a hunter education program to hunt independently. Those without a hunter education certificate or under the age of 11 must have an adult licensed mentor supervise them on all hunts.
The adult mentor must hold a current Missouri hunting license and be at least 18 years old. The mentor is required to stay in the “immediate presence” of the youth hunter to offer guidance and provide instant intervention if necessary.
Hunter Education Requirements
Missouri has created hunter education regulations to better prepare young hunters for the sport while ensuring they learn in a safe and productive environment.
Ages 11–15
If youth in this age group have completed a hunter education course, they may hunt without adult supervision.
These courses comprise a knowledge component (available online or for self-study) and a mandatory 4-hour in-person skills session.
Under Age 11
In Missouri, young hunters under 11 must always hunt with a qualified adult mentor.
Due to potential judgment, physical coordination, and safety awareness issues among young children, Missouri prohibits anyone under 11 from participating in a hunter education program.
How to Use a Youth Hunting License in Missouri
Once you purchase a Missouri youth hunting license, you’ll need to make sure to adhere to MDC’s requirements in the field.
| How to Use a Missouri Youth Hunting License: |
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Before the start of each season, review the latest MDC regulations to make certain you are in compliance. Based on game management plans, season dates, bag limits, weapon and ammunition options, and property restrictions, these may change from season to season.
4 Tips for Parents and Mentors
Parents and mentors can help young hunters start strong and set the foundation for a lifetime of hunting success. Check out the tips below to help your young hunter become a safe and experienced hunter.
- Create a successful first season for your young hunter by creating a positive learning environment that is not solely focused on harvesting an animal. Stack small wins to cultivate hunting experiences that are safe, educational, and fun.
- Make safety a top priority. Thoroughly teach, drill, and review firearm handling rules, muzzle awareness, and deliberate decision-making regarding when to shoot and shot placement.
- Treat each scouting trip, range session, and hunt as an opportunity to teach vital fundamentals. Discuss topography, wildlife biology, species identification, habitat requirements, and conservation principles that affect the ecosystem you’ll be hunting in.
- Ease into hunting by pursuing small game like rabbits and squirrels. These animals can be harvested with smaller calibers and gauges, making them more enjoyable to shoot for the younger hunter. They also provide plenty of action and opportunities to learn about tracking, shot placement, and game processing, without the pressure of deer or turkey hunting.
Take a Hunter Education Course to Hunt Safely in Missouri
Get an early start to the 2026 hunting season by encouraging your young hunter to complete their education requirements as soon as they are eligible. Early preparation avoids last-minute rushing that creates unnecessary stress and reduces learning quality.
For youth hunters ages 11 and up who are ready to begin their hunting education, ilearntohunt offers a Missouri-approved comprehensive hunter education course. This online course, paired with the mandatory in-person field training, covers all the critical topics that will prepare young hunters not only to pass the state’s certification requirements but also to become safe, ethical, and conservation-minded hunters in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Missouri Youth Hunting License (FAQs)
Q: How much is a youth hunting license in Missouri?
A: Missouri youth hunters ages 6–15 pay reduced-price permits for deer and turkey hunting (roughly half the cost of adult permits). For example, the resident youth archery permit is currently $11, compared to $22 for adults. Always check the Missouri Department of Conservation website for the most current permit prices before you buy.
Q: Do youth hunters have to be with licensed hunters in Missouri?
A: It depends on hunter education status. Youth who have completed and passed their hunter education course may hunt alone. Youth who are not yet hunter-education certified must hunt in the immediate presence of an adult who is hunter-education certified or was born before January 1, 1967.
Q: What age can youth hunt in Missouri?
A: In Missouri, youth as young as 6 years old can hunt deer and turkey with the appropriate reduced-price permit. For small game, resident youth 15 and under may hunt without a permit if they hold a valid hunter education card. Youth who are not hunter-education certified must hunt with a qualified adult supervisor at any age.
Q: What age can youth hunt alone in Missouri?
A: A youth hunter can hunt alone once they have completed a hunter education course, regardless of age. Without hunter education certification, youth hunters of any age must be in the immediate presence of a qualified adult. Hunters ages 11–15 who want to use a firearm permit must be hunter-education certified to purchase that permit.
Q: Can youth hunt during regular deer season in Missouri?
A: Yes, youth ages 6–15 can participate in both the archery and firearms deer seasons with the appropriate youth permit. Missouri also holds a dedicated youth deer season each fall. It's a weekend-long event that takes place before the main firearms season opens. During the youth portions of the firearms deer season, the accompanying adult does not need a deer permit but may not hunt deer with a firearm.
