Summer days are upon us. With that comes the start of the frogging season. While anyone can hunt frogs, certain ages do not even need a permit. Being quite flexible with the harvesting rules, frogging allows either a fishing license or a small game hunting permit. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) spells out the rules.
Who Can Hunt Frogs?
The frogging season is open to all ages. One needs a fishing license or a small game hunting permit to hunt them. However, those over 65 or younger than 15 do not need either.
What Are The Limits?
One may hunt bullfrogs and/or green frogs. The daily limit is eight frogs os each species. The limit for possession is 16 frogs or any combination of the two species. However, only the daily limit can be in possession when on water or along the water banks.
Daily limits end at midnight. Froggers who catch their daily limits before midnight and want to return for more frogging after midnight must remove the daily limit of previously caught frogs from the waters or banks before returning.
Fishing Permit
Those using a fishing permit for frogging may catch the frog by hand, hand net, atlatl, gig, bow, trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or pole-and-line.
Small-Game Hunting Permit
Those using small-game hunting permits may harvest using a .22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or pistol, pellet gun, atlatl, bow, crossbow, or by hand or hand net.
How Long Is The Season?
The season begins at sunset on June 30 and continues through October 31.
Whichever permit one is using, artificial light is permitted when frogging. For recipe ideas after harvesting your frogs, MDC offers ideas here. So take the whole family along on your next outdoor adventure while frogging.
