CITY OF JEFFERSON, Missouri – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters and anglers that the squirrel and black bass seasons open on Saturday, May 28.
SQUIRRELS
The eastern gray squirrel and fox hunting season runs from May 28 to February 15, 2023. Permitted methods include shotguns, rifles, and other legal firearm methods, as well as archery equipment, slingshots, or atlatls. . Squirrels can also be hunted in cage-style traps during hunting season, as long as the hunters have a valid small game permit. 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.
The daily limit for hunting, including the use of cage traps, is ten and the possession limit is 20. Hunters must have a valid small game permit or be exempt.
Learn more about squirrel hunting and trapping in the MDC’s Summary of 2022 Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4EU.
Need recipe suggestions after a successful hunt? Find squirrel recipes at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZcQ.
BLACK BASS
Anglers can catch and keep Black Bass, such as Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted/Kentucky Bass, from May 28 to February 28, 2023. Black Bass can be found statewide , but has a closed season part of the year 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 about bass fishing in the MDC’s Summary of 2022 Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Ua.
Find tips from the MDC on how to cook fish at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zrk.
