Teen is first successful hunter of Missouri Bear Season
By Shannon Becker
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, Missouri (KOAM) — Missouri black bear season opened October 18 and we learn a teen was the first successful hunter on opening day 2025.
The Missouri Department of Conservation share a special family photo of Corbin Wallace, 16, who was hunting with his grandfather Robert Wallace on private land in Douglas County when he harvested a 300 lb. (boar) bear.
Black bear season runs through Oct. 31. You must have a bear tag obtained in the annual random draw earlier in the year to be eligible to hunt.
Read more how to apply in 2026 and read about the bear management zones including the harvest limits as the population continues to recover annually in the show me state.
Black Bear Management Zones Black bear hunting is allowed south of the Missouri River in three Black Bear Management Zones (BMZs). You may hunt only in the BMZ specified on your permit.
BMZ 1: The portion of Missouri west of a line running north from the Arkansas border on U.S. Highway 63 to U.S. Highway 60; west on U.S. Highway 60 to MO-360; west on MO-360 to Interstate 44; west on Interstate 44 to the Oklahoma border.
BMZ 2: The portion of Missouri east of a line running north from the Arkansas border on U.S. Highway 63 to Interstate 44; east on Interstate 44 to State Highway 47; north on State Highway 47 to the Missouri River; east along the Missouri River to the Illinois border
BMZ 3: The portion of Missouri south of a line running east from the Kansas border along the Missouri River to State Highway 47; south on State Highway 47 to Interstate 44; west on Interstate 44 to U.S. Highway 63; south on U.S. Highway 63 to U.S. Highway 60; west on U.S. Highway 60 to MO-360; west on MO-360 to Interstate 44; west on Interstate 44 to the Oklahoma border
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