Hunt squirrel and bass catch and hold starting Saturday May 22nd.
CITY OF JEFFERSON, Missouri – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages the public to discover nature this summer by hunting squirrels and fishing for largemouth bass. Both seasons open on Saturday, May 22.
SQUIRRELS
The eastern gray squirrel and fox hunting season runs from May 22 to February 15, 2022. Permitted methods include shotguns, rifles, and other legal firearm methods, as well as archery equipment, slingshots, or atlatls . The daily hunt and capture limit is ten and the possession limit is 20. Hunters may hunt squirrels with the following permits: Archery, Daily Small Game, Small Game Hunting and Fishing, and Small Game Hunting.
“Chasing small game is a great way to introduce people to hunting,” said Justin McGuire, MDC education program coordinator. “Because of the long season, liberal daily limits, and abundance of game, squirrel hunting provides many outdoor opportunities during the different seasons in Missouri.”
Squirrels can also be hunted with cage-style traps during hunting season, as long as the hunters have valid permits. Traps must be labeled with the hunter’s full name and address, or Conservation Number, serviced daily, and have an opening of 144 square inches or less.
Learn more about squirrel hunting and trapping in the MDC’s Summary of 2021 Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZKt.
Have a successful hunt and need recipe suggestions? Find recipes for squirrels at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZcQ.
BLACK BASS
Anglers can catch and keep black bass, such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, speckled/Kentucky bass, from May 22 to February 22, 2022. These fish can be found in most streams south of the Missouri River. Largemouth bass can be legally caught and released year-round anywhere in Missouri, and legal-size bass can be kept year-round away from reservoirs and streams with no closed season. In most state waters, the daily limit for largemouth bass is six. Fish caught in most rivers and streams should be 12 inches long. Additional regulations may apply to specific waters or areas. Anglers must have a valid fishing permit or be exempt.
Find more information on bass fishing in the MDC’s 2021 Missouri Fishing Regulations Summary, available where permits are sold, or online at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZKv.
Find tips from the MDC on how to cook fish at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zrk.
KEEP PERMISSIONS ON HAND WITH MDC MOBILE APPS
Take your permits with you wherever you go in the wild using MDC’s Mo Hunting or Mo Fishing mobile apps. Users can maintain their hunting and fishing permits in the apps, find nearby places to hunt or fish, check area regulations, and more. MO Hunting and MO Fishing apps are available to download for Apple and Android users. Find more information at https://mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/mobile-apps/mo-hunting.
