Just ahead of free fishing weekend, the state Department of Conservation is proposing increases in the cost of permits for the third year in a row. Based on input from hunters and residents in a survey this spring, the biggest price hike will land on the backs of nonresident deer and turkey hunters.
The state Conservation Commission approved the proposed price increases at its May 16 meeting in Jefferson City. The changes require a public comment period, followed by the commission’s final approval in September before taking effect for 2026.
Deer hunters from outside of Missouri will see their permits increase by $72, and nonresident spring turkey hunters will pay $61 more. According to conservation department data, about 43,000 nonresidents hunt deer annually in Missouri and 10,000 purchase turkey hunting permits in the spring. About 400,000 residents hunt deer or turkeys each year.
While the numbers of nonresident hunters and anglers are low compared to residents, a department press release stated that the opinion survey and public feedback showed Missourians generally supported raising nonresident hunting permit prices to bring them more in line with what surrounding states charge.
“Across deer, turkey, and waterfowl, one potential change supported by residents is adjusting permit prices to be more in alignment with surrounding states,” said conservation department director Jason Sumners.
If the proposal gets final approval, the price of nonresident firearms and archery deer hunting permits will increase from $288 to $360. The average price of nonresident permits in the states surrounding Missouri is $443.13 for firearms hunting and $456.88 for archery. Nonresident spring turkey hunting permits will rise from $243.50 to $304.50, compared to a surrounding-state average of $255.22.
Resident permit prices are also going up with the proposed changes. Firearms and archery hunters will pay $1.50 more in 2026. Firearms deer and spring turkey hunting permits are rising from $18 to $19.50, and archery permits will be $22, up from $20.50.
Fishing permits are also increasing under the proposal. Residents will pay $14 instead of $13, and nonresidents will see a hike from $53.50 to $57 for annual fishing licenses.
The price adjustments are based on the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) related to cost-of-living increases from 2008 to 2024, the department press release stated. After nearly 20 years without an increase in permit costs, the state plans to recommend gradual price increases over 10 years at 50 percent of CPI growth for resident permits and an accelerated price increase for nonresident deer and turkey hunting permits to keep those prices more in line with other states.
The public comment period on the proposed permit price adjustments will be open from July 2 to July 31. For more information and to submit comments, visit mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/public-commenting-opportunities.
According to conservation department data, permit sales account for about 17 percent of the department’s budget. The Conservation Sales Tax provides about 62 percent and federal taxes and reimbursements make up another 15 percent. Sales and rentals, interest, and other sources supply the remaining six percent. On average, Missouri residents pay $24 annually for conservation through the one-eighth of one cent sales tax.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas for the Leader outdoor news page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and you can find more outdoor news and updates at johnjwink.com.