The Ozarks, the Bootheel, and the Missouri River bottoms — these are landscapes deer hunters know by heart. But as Missouri deer season 2025 approaches, many of those woods and food plots are under siege not by weather or over-hunting, but by feral hogs.
In southern Missouri alone, feral hogs are now reported in over 30 counties, having expanded from a few isolated pockets to a statewide menace. Rooting, wallowing, and sheer numbers mean hogs threaten your deer season before you ever draw a bow. In fact, the Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership reports that since 2016, watershed occupancy by hogs has dropped 84% — proof that removal efforts work, but the war isn’t over. National Hog Farmer.
Missouri Deer Season 2025: FAQs for Hunters
Do I need a license to shoot hogs in Missouri during deer season?
Yes. You must have a valid hunting license. Hogs are not considered game animals in conservation lands.
Are hogs allowed to be hunted year-round in Missouri?
Mostly, yes on private lands; but on MDC public properties the take of feral hogs is prohibited except during deer/turkey seasons. Missouri Department of Conservation.
Why doesn’t Missouri just let everyone shoot hogs everywhere?
Because indiscriminate shooting disrupts trapping efforts: hogs scatter, become trap-shy, and the remaining groups repopulate quickly. Missouri Department of Conservation FAQ.
Do hogs really compete with deer for food?
Absolutely. They eat acorns, soft mast, root up understory — direct competition in the fall. University of Missouri Extension.
Which hog control method is ideal in Missouri terrain?
- Boar Blanket: Silent, mobile, and ideal for one-person setups in wooded or rugged terrain.
- HogEye camera + gate systems: Good for large properties with cell access.
- Cage or corral traps: Better for flat farmland but cumbersome in Ozark hills.
Missouri Deer Season & Rules 2025
(Confirm with the Missouri Department of Conservation )
| Season Type | Dates / Notes | Remarks |
| Firearms | Varies by zone | Some counties restrict antlerless harvest |
| Archery | Zone-dependent dates | Often longest season statewide |
| Youth | Early weekend hunts | Special antlerless/buck rules apply |
| Muzzleloader | Limited late season | By permit in designated zones |
The Hog Problem in Missouri
Expansion & Distribution
Once limited to Southeast counties, hogs are now established in 30+ Missouri counties. MDC Feral Hog FAQ — External link, set no-follow.
Biological Pressure
- Sows breed as early as six months, multiple litters yearly. University of Missouri Extension — External link, set no-follow.
- Home ranges expand when food is scarce, pushing hogs into new areas.
Ecological & Hunting Impacts
- Competition for mast and food plots
- Soil disruption from rooting and wallowing
- Behavioral disruption — deer vacate areas overrun with hogs
See context in Why Feral Hogs Are Taking Over the South.
Hunting Prep for Missouri Deer Season 2025 & Hog Mitigation
Timing & Strategy
- Start trapping well before deer season to reduce hog pressure.
- Use bait lines and attractants to concentrate sounders.
- Keep traps away from deer stands to avoid spooking herds.
Gear & Techniques That Make Sense in Missouri
- Boar Blanket Hog Trap — ideal for woodlots, creek bottoms, and hills
- HogEye Systems — effective in open farmland with cell service
- Cage/Corral Traps — useful in the Bootheel’s flat ag land, less so in rugged Ozarks
Compare setups in Cage vs Net Hog Traps.
Economic & Deer-Hunting Impacts
For Landowners
Crop damage, replanting costs, and habitat loss drive annual losses into millions. MDC reports hog presence reduced by 84% since 2016 due to coordinated trapping — proof whole-sounder removal works. National Hog Farmer — External link, set no-follow.
For Deer Hunters
- Deer abandon hog-heavy plots and feeders.
- Hunters report empty stands in hog-dense counties.
- Sounders disrupt deer feeding during critical rut weeks.
See the Boar Blanket Case Study for real-world trapping results.
Conclusion: Winning Missouri Deer Season 2025 Means Controlling Hogs
Missouri deer season 2025 will test hunters. It’s not just about zone maps — it’s about fighting hogs before they destroy the hunt.
- Cages suit farmland with crews.
- HogEye suits big ranches with tech access.
- But for most hunters in Missouri’s woods and hills, the Boar Blanket is the most portable and effective way to protect deer season.
Don’t wait for hogs to ruin your hunt — take control now.