The main Missouri Department of Conservation phone number is 800-392-4115. That statewide line handles permit purchases, account questions, and general inquiries during standard weekday business hours. To report poaching or a wildlife violation, call the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-392-1111, which is staffed around the clock. For questions tied to a specific county or conservation area, the eight regional offices below will usually get you a faster answer.
Main Statewide Number
Call 800-392-4115 to buy hunting, fishing, or trapping permits by phone with a credit card. MDC adds a $1 surcharge for telephone orders, and mailed permits can take up to ten days to arrive.1Missouri Department of Conservation. Permits If you need a permit the same day, buying online and printing at home is quicker than calling.
MDC headquarters sits in Jefferson City and handles statewide policy and administrative matters. State agency offices in Missouri generally run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., so plan non-emergency calls inside that window.
Regional Office Phone Numbers
MDC splits the state into eight regions. Each office is the right call for questions about local conservation areas, habitat, community events, and wildlife issues in your part of the state.2Missouri Department of Conservation. Regional MDC Offices
- Central (Columbia): 573-815-7900
- Kansas City (Lee’s Summit): 816-622-0900
- Northeast (Kirksville): 660-785-2420
- Northwest (St. Joseph): 816-271-3100
- Ozark (West Plains): 417-256-7161
- Southeast (Cape Girardeau): 573-290-5730
- Southwest (Springfield): 417-895-6880
- St. Louis (St. Charles): 636-441-4554
If you’re not sure which region covers your county, the MDC website lets you search by county name.
Reaching Your Local Conservation Agent
Conservation agents patrol specific counties and enforce wildlife regulations. Instead of calling a regional office and asking to be routed, use the Find Local Contacts tool on the MDC website, pick your county, and you’ll see the agent’s name and direct contact information.3Missouri Department of Conservation. Local MDC Contacts This is the fastest route for a question about a particular tract of public land or a situation happening in your area.
Reporting Poaching
Call 1-800-392-1111 to report poaching, illegal fishing, or other wildlife violations. The line is separate from every other MDC number, and you can remain anonymous. Tips are passed to the conservation agent who covers the area where the violation happened. Reports that lead to an arrest and conviction may qualify for a cash reward, but collecting the reward generally requires giving your name and contact information to the program. If anonymity matters more to you than the payout, you can still file the report without identifying yourself.
What to Have Ready Before You Call
MDC identifies you by a nine-digit Conservation Number, printed on the front of your Permit Card, the back of your Heritage Card, or at the top of a printed permit.4Missouri Department of Conservation. Find Your Conservation Number It also appears in the MO Hunting app under your profile.5Missouri Department of Conservation. MO Hunting Have that number in front of you before you dial.
For a question about a specific conservation area, know the area name or at least the county. For a wildlife identification question, jot down a clear description of the animal or plant so staff can give you a real answer instead of generic guidance. For a permit question, pull up your account history in the app or on the website so you can point to a specific transaction or permit type.
When the Phone Isn’t the Fastest Option
If your question isn’t urgent, the AskMDC form at mdc.mo.gov/contact-us lets you submit it without waiting on hold. The same page links to specialized forms for reporting fish kills, reporting wildlife health events, filing public records requests, and requesting a speaker for a community or school event.6Missouri Department of Conservation. Contact Us