Missouri wildlife populations are increasing. State officials could soon allow more hunting

Missouri state officials are considering a proposal that would extend the hunting seasons for species historically harvested for their fur, such as bobcats, possums and raccoons.

Interest in fur trapping has taken a nosedive in recent decades, allowing some populations to flourish — and opening the door to additional hunting, state wildlife biologists say. The Missouri Conservation Commission this month gave initial approval to a plan that would modify current state regulations and expand the harvest period by more than three months for some species.

The new proposal from the Department of Conservation would extend the harvest seasons for eight furbearer species: raccoons, possums, coyotes, mink, muskrats, river otters, bobcats and striped skunk.

The fur harvest peaked in Missouri around 1940, when hunters collected nearly 835,000 animal pelts. About 70% of the animals killed that season were possums and raccoons, according to state data.