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July 16, 2025
Missouri Hunters Seek to Expand Allowable Use of Thermal Imagery and Night Vision
The voices of Missouri hunters are needed to be heard loud and clear if they want to expand more hunting opportunities in the Show Me State.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is currently accepting public comments regarding proposed regulatory changes designed to help control coyote populations, namely through an expanded window when it would be allowable to use thermal imaging and night vision optics to assist in harvesting the predators.
The only catch is Missourians need to get their approval registered and submitted quickly. The commission is only accepting public comments for another two weeks and supporters of more hunting opportunities need to register their approval for the regulation change soon.
The Situation
Under current regulations, it is illegal to possess thermal imaging or night vision equipment while also in possession of a firearm, bow or other object that is used to harvest wildlife outside of the current window from Feb. 1 to March 31. There are exceptions for landowners who use this equipment to control feral hogs on their own property.
But that could change if the Missouri Department of Conservation approves of a regulatory modification to expand that two-month window. Noting the continued growth of “furbearing populations,” the commission is considering a new window for hunters to use these tools that stretches from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, a total of 252 days. Local news reports these higher population numbers, especially of coyotes, are leading to higher levels of “human-wildlife conflicts.”
This regulatory change will dramatically expand opportunities to control coyote populations in the state through night hunting and help maintain population numbers at healthy – and, mostly importantly, safe – levels.
Advocates Urge Support
A 2025 study commissioned by the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS) revealed a promising undercurrent that suggests changing the regulation would be welcomed. According to the data, large majorities of Americans approve of legal hunting and legal recreational shooting: 73 percent approve of hunting and 74 percent approve of shooting. In a state that respects the Second Amendment and outdoor shooting sports as much as Missouri, those figures might even be higher.
That’s great news for those wanting expanded opportunities to harvest coyotes once the sun goes down. As mentioned, the public comment period ends July 31, 2025, and supporters need to make sure the commission is flooded with supportive comments in order to ensure they enact the change. Specifically, on the public comment page it is referred to as, “Proposed amendments to expand the use of artificial light, thermal imagery, and night vision for hunting coyotes; modify the use of Conibear® traps; and allow snares in dry-land sets.”
Every additional public comment in support will make the difference.
For Those Unaware
Coyotes are predators and often kill poultry, young pigs, goats, sheep, small calves and pets and can cause a variety of conflicts related to agriculture, natural resources, property, and human health and safety. They are also occasionally known to munch on agriculture produce such as sweet corn and watermelon. These opportunistic feeding habits can lead to human-coyote conflicts with farmers, ranchers and suburbanites. Expanding the use of thermal and night vision will help reduce these instances of dangerous and damaging interactions in a safe and regulated way.
The new CAHSS study revealed that Americans are already most likely to approve of hunting and shooting when motivated by food, conservation or safety. Wildlife management is a large part of conservation and if there aren’t regulated hunting seasons, or expanded hunting season in the case of Missouri, or other options for Americans to participate in these traditions and favored pastimes that allow for the removal of nuisance wildlife, states will not be able to manage their wildlife populations. The firearm and ammunition industry wholeheartedly supports these efforts to expand hunting opportunities and encourages Missourians to submit comments to approve the regulation update. That’s more than just because it will help perpetuate the passing on of hunting traditions to newer generations, but also because it will directly fund efforts to make Missouri safer from unwanted wildlife conflicts.
The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act provides funding for states and territories to support wildlife restoration, conservation and hunter education and safety programs. Funding for Pittman-Robertson programs comes from federal excise taxes paid directly by industry members and firearm and ammunition manufacturers have paid over $29 billion into the fund since its inception in 1937, when adjusted for inflation.
Missouri has an opportunity to add even more to that already impressive figure, all while giving Missourians even more opportunities to enjoy a hunt.
You may also be interested in:
The Bear Minimum: How Hunting Helps Manage Healthy Wildlife Populations
Gov. Newsom Respects the Second Amendment? Not for a Hot Second.
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