ROLLA, Mo. — Many people from Missouri and beyond are getting ready for their favorite way to enjoy fall—hunting on their national forest lands. The Mark Twain National Forest (Forest) provides a million and a half acres for these activities. Hunting regulations for Missouri are set by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in the Wildlife Code, and those rules govern hunting activities on the Forest as well. To learn more about the regulations for this season, please visit MDC’s website.
There are several things that hunters can do to be respectful to one another and to non-hunters during the season. It is the hunter’s responsibility to stay off private land unless they have permission from the landowner. Hunters who kill or injure a deer must make a reasonable effort to retrieve and tag it, but this does not authorize trespass. Get permission before going onto private land. Watch for “No Trespassing” signs and trees with purple paint as markers of private land boundaries. Also, be aware of any active timber sales. If you see signage that indicates you may be entering a timber sale area, stop, look, and listen, and ensure there is no logging activity happening before entering the area.
Also, before bringing a side-by-side or other off-highway vehicle (OHV) to the Forest, familiarize yourself with the regulations associated with OHV use on the Forest. Ensure that the OHV is properly outfitted with the necessary safety equipment and that it has appropriate operating tags for the county you intend to visit. The Forest allows OHVs to operate on Forest Service roads indicated on the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) if the OHV meets county regulations for the county where the road is within. Learn more about OHV regulations on the Forest website.
The Forest Service can provide hunters with maps in several ways. There are online maps of our units which can be found in the Avenza app. Our Forest offices also have maps for sale and can assist you with finding the topographic maps you need for the area you plan to visit. These can be also be found on the Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf and going to “Visit Us” then choosing “Maps and Publications.” The MVUMs can also be accessed on this website and are a great tool to have for utilizing the appropriate Forest Roads.
Please wear appropriate clothing. Wearing blaze orange hats and jackets is an important way to prevent hunting accidents. Also, be prepared for quickly changing weather conditions. Winter storms can move in and catch people by surprise, so have a plan (and a backup plan) for staying warm if this happens. Let someone know where you plan to go and when you plan to be back so someone can start looking for you in case you get into a situation where you are needing help and are unable to check in.
Please be generous and respectful toward your fellow hunters and others out enjoying the Forest. Remember to Leave No Trace. Keeping a clean camp makes it easier to pack your trash out at the end when you are ready to head home.
Please reach out to a Forest Service office with any questions (M – F, 8:00 – 4:30).
·Forest Supervisor’s Office (Rolla) – (573) 364-4621
·Ava-Cassville-Willow Springs Ranger District (Ava) – (417) 683-4428
·Eleven Point Ranger District (Doniphan) – (573) 996-2153
·Houston-Rolla-Cedar Creek Ranger District (Houston) – (417) 967-4194
·Poplar Bluff Ranger District (Poplar Bluff) – (573) 785-1475
·Potosi-Fredericktown Ranger District (Potosi) – (573) 438-5427
·Salem Ranger District (Salem) – (573) 729-6656