Hunting & Shooting

There are many locations on the Mark Twain National Forest to hunt.

We ask that all visitors adhere to Missouri Department of Conservation seasons, hours, license requirements and limits when hunting on National Forest System land.

Where You Can Ride/Drive

For information on where you can drive or ride while hunting on the Mark Twain, view the Forest Order, the Maps and Guides page, and/or the OHV page.

Camping

Dispersed Camping

No camping for more than 14 days in a 30- day period.
No leaving camping equipment for longer than 14 days in a 30-day period.

View the Forest Order for Occupancy and Use for more information. Specific information for each campground is available under Passes / Permits / Restrictions on campground website pages.

Hunting

A million and a half acres of land await hunters within Mark Twain National Forest. No fees are charged by the Forest Service for this activity. Hunting is very popular on the Forest and hunted species include deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, woodcock, mourning doves, ducks, raccoon, bobcat, fox, and coyote.

All hunting seasons, hours, license requirements and bag limits are published and enforced by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The Missouri Wildlife Code can be requested from the Missouri Department of Conservation on the MDC website.

All wilderness areas are available for remote hunting experiences, either on foot or horseback.

There are several Walk-in Turkey Hunting Areas, these areas are open to foot traffic during spring turkey season. Maps are available on the Maps and Guides page.

Other information to keep in mind when hunting on the Forest

Hunting is prohibited in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area and on National Forest System roads or bodies of water, whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge.
Hunting is prohibited on all administrative sites.
Only portable deer stands are permitted and the deer stand must be labeled with the hunter’s name and address.

The following lakes are closed to waterfowl hunting unless posted otherwise:

Eleven Point Ranger District

Fourche Lake
McCormack Lake
Ripley Lake

Houston Ranger District

Roby Lake

Poplar Bluff Ranger District

Beaver Lake
Pinewoods Lake

Salem Ranger District

Loggers Lake

Willow Springs Ranger District

Noblett Lake

The following lakes are open to waterfowl hunting, unless posted otherwise (no shooting of frogs is allowed):

Potosi Ranger District

Council Bluff
Crane Lake
Palmer Lake
Parole Lake

Salem Ranger District

Howes Mill Lake
Howes Mill Pond

Information about specific locations (including maps) may be obtained on this website or by contacting a Forest office.

Do not trespass! It is important to remember there is private land intermingled with National Forest system lands within the National Forest Boundaries. You must obtain permission from a landowner before hunting on private land.

Feral Hog Information

Archery

Target practice with a rifle, handgun or bow and arrow is permitted provided you abide by all state and federal regulations. A hunting license is not required when shooting at identifiable, artificially constructed targets and/or when no attempt is made to take game.

Recreational and Target Shooting

Use approved targets along with a safe, “bullet-proof” backstop.

Do not to attach your targets to vegetation or structures, such as: trees, log decks, slash piles, fences, or water tanks.
Exploding targets are not recommended due to safety and wildfire concerns.
All trash must be packed out, including shell casings and targets.

We ask that you do not target shoot within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite/ground, developed recreation area, or other occupied areas or in a manner or place where an person or property is exposed to injury or damage because of discharge.