Missouri Wildlife: Elk, Bears, Eagles and Snakes

Missouri has white-tailed deer, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, wild turkeys and bald eagles across the state, black bears in the southern Ozarks, a restored herd of Ozark elk, feral hogs, and five kinds of venomous snakes.

This guide sticks to what the Missouri Department of Conservation, federal agencies and the CDC say, grouped by animal type, and lists what we could not confirm. A range on a map is not a sighting, so you will see “might” and “per the source” a lot.

Animals You Might See

Where and when come from the source in the last column. “Might” is deliberate: a source that gives a range is not a sighting, and wild animals keep no schedule. Information as of October 30, 2026.

Big and Hoofed Animals

Animal	Where and when, per the source	Safety note	Source
White-tailed deer	Common statewide, mostly in woods, edges, clearings and farm fields. The rut peaks in mid-November and fawns arrive in late May or early June. Chronic wasting disease was first found in a wild herd in 2012. The page gives no population count.	Drive carefully at dusk, dawn and night; wear orange in fall hunting seasons.	Missouri Department of Conservation: white-tailed deer
Elk	Restored to parts of Carter, Reynolds and Shannon counties in the Ozarks between 2011 and 2013; they were gone by the 1880s. The Department asks for sighting reports. The page gives no herd size. Bulls guard harems in the fall breeding season, mostly with threat displays.	The page has no elk safety text; give them room (general guidance).	Missouri Department of Conservation: elk
Elk on the Peck Ranch tour	A self-guided marked tour, open sunrise to sunset daily, best right after sunrise or before sunset, with no guarantee. It opens at 1 p.m. during spring turkey season and closes for managed deer hunts, fall firearms deer season and bad weather. Some gravel roads need ground clearance and stream crossings can flood.	Watch from your vehicle. No feeding (grain, salt and minerals are banned), no trail cameras, pets leashed, 45 mph. Call 573-469-0897.	Missouri Department of Conservation: elk driving tours; Missouri Department of Conservation: Peck Ranch Conservation Area
Black bear	Mostly south of the Missouri River and most common in the southern third; a long-standing small group lives in Webster and Douglas counties. Bears were nearly gone by 1931 and regrew largely from Arkansas animals. A 2010 study estimated about 300. They come out around April, mate in late May and June, eat acorns in fall and den around October to November. A limited regulated hunt began in 2021.	Do not feed, make noise, hike in groups and leash dogs. If you meet one, back away slowly facing it with your arms up and never run. See Staying Safe.	Missouri Department of Conservation: black bear; Missouri Department of Conservation: Be BearWise
Feral hog	Invasive, in many counties and mainly the southern third, in small isolated groups in remote rugged country near water. Mostly active at night; they can reach about 400 pounds.	Adult males have tusks and hogs spread disease to people, pets and livestock. Report sightings to 573-522-4115 ext. 3296 or the online form.	Missouri Department of Conservation: feral hog

Coyotes, Foxes, Bobcats and Small Mammals

Animal	Where and when, per the source	Safety note	Source
Coyote	Statewide and increasing, most abundant in the grasslands of the north and west. Mostly active at night, sometimes seen by day. Territories run from about 9 to nearly 30 square miles. Pups arrive in April and May.	The page says coyotes generally do not attack people. Watch pets closely in the February and March breeding season.	Missouri Department of Conservation: coyote
Red fox	Statewide, more common in the north and west. The population declined for years and has recently leveled off. Likes forest edges next to open land; seen at dawn and dusk. Kits arrive in March and April.	The page has no safety text. The CDC lists foxes among animals most often found with rabies.	Missouri Department of Conservation: red fox; CDC: rabies
Gray fox	Statewide and most common in the southern Ozarks; common and stable. Mostly nocturnal but often active by day, and it climbs trees readily.	Same rabies note as the red fox.	Missouri Department of Conservation: gray fox
Bobcat	Statewide and stable. Likes second-growth woods with thick brush, glades and rock outcrops, and also lives near towns. Active day and night and can cover 3 to 7 miles a night.	Shy; keep pets in at dusk and dawn (general guidance).	Missouri Department of Conservation: bobcat
Mountain lion	Not a resident: the Department says there is no breeding population. It has confirmed about 8 a year since the mid-2000s, as far east as St. Louis County. Many reports turn out to be bobcats. The Department wants physical evidence such as photos, tracks, hair or video.	The page gives no personal safety advice.	Missouri Department of Conservation: mountain lion
River otter	Most of the state, in every major watershed along streams, rivers and lakes. Nearly gone a century ago, until more than 800 were released in the 1980s and early 1990s.	Not stated on the page.	Missouri Department of Conservation: river otter
Beaver	Statewide near water. Missouri beavers rarely build dams; they dig dens in banks. Mostly nocturnal.	Not stated.	Missouri Department of Conservation: beaver
Nine-banded armadillo	Mostly the southern half of the state, north to the Iowa border. Mostly nocturnal in summer, no hibernation, often hit on roads.	The page says armadillos can carry the bacterium behind Hansen’s disease, with no armadillo-linked case recorded in Missouri. It advises gloves.	Missouri Department of Conservation: armadillo
Raccoon and striped skunk	Both statewide and common. Raccoons favor wooded areas near water and towns; skunks like forest edges, fencerows and fields. Both are mostly nocturnal.	Give skunks space; they stamp and raise the tail before spraying. See the rabies line below.	Missouri Department of Conservation: raccoon; Missouri Department of Conservation: striped skunk

Birds

Animal	Where and when, per the source	Safety note	Source
Bald eagle	“Common winter migrant; uncommon summer resident,” per the Department. In winter, rivers, wetlands and lakes in western Missouri draw eagles. The page names Magnolia Hollow, Truman Reservoir lands, Rush Bottoms and Corning conservation areas for viewing. Loess Bluffs refuge counts eagles weekly from fall to spring.	We do not publish nest locations.	Missouri Department of Conservation: bald eagle; Fish and Wildlife Service: Loess Bluffs refuge
Wild turkey	Common year-round across the state, up from about 2,500 birds to several hundred thousand in roughly 75 years. Less common in the Bootheel but rising. Spring gobbling; hens nest on the ground.	Give them room.	Missouri Department of Conservation: wild turkey
Greater prairie-chicken	State endangered, with fewer than 25 birds in isolated groups in the northwest and west-central prairies. Booming season runs March to mid-April. The Department names Shelton Memorial, Taberville Prairie and Pawnee Prairie as viewing areas.	Follow site guidance and do not disturb the birds. We do not publish display grounds.	Missouri Department of Conservation: greater prairie-chicken
Snow geese and winter waterfowl	Loess Bluffs refuge shows large flocks lifting off and lists more than 310 bird species, including trumpeter swans. Its Wild Goose Auto Tour is a one-way 10-mile drive open year-round. Swan Lake refuge hosts thousands of ducks and geese in migration. The pages give no counts or peak dates.	Check refuge rules before you go.	Fish and Wildlife Service: Loess Bluffs refuge; Fish and Wildlife Service: Swan Lake refuge
Mingo refuge birds	About 279 bird species; the refuge was created to shelter migrating waterfowl and protect bottomland forest.	Check refuge rules and hunt dates before you go.	Fish and Wildlife Service: Mingo refuge
Ozark riverways birds	At least 198 species recorded in Ozark National Scenic Riverways, with wild turkey noted.		National Park Service: Ozark National Scenic Riverways animals

Snakes, Lizards, Salamanders and Fish

Animal	Where and when, per the source	Safety note	Source
Copperhead	Most common venomous snake, statewide except the extreme north border. Active mid-March to early November; uses rocky wooded hillsides, creek banks and old farm buildings.	Wear protective footwear, keep hands out from under rocks and logs and step onto logs. Get medical care right away; even dead snakes can bite.	Missouri Department of Conservation: copperhead
Timber rattlesnake	The most widespread rattler, though gone from some counties and sparse in the southwest, northeast and southeast lowlands. Mature wooded rugged hillsides near streams; active April to mid-October. Shy; bites are rare and mostly happen when people handle or kill it.	Watch hands and feet and do not rely on the rattle.	Missouri Department of Conservation: timber rattlesnake; Forest Service: timber rattlesnake
Northern cottonmouth	Southeastern corner plus scattered Ozark populations; none north of the Missouri River. Cypress swamps and sloughs in the southeast, cool spring-fed creeks in the Ozarks. Semiaquatic and active late April to October.	Wear rubber boots when wading. Many harmless water snakes are mistaken for cottonmouths. Go to an emergency room after a bite.	Missouri Department of Conservation: cottonmouth
Western pygmy rattlesnake	Far south along the Arkansas border, the eastern Ozarks and the St. Francois Mountains, in glades and young forest by rock ledges. Typically 15 to 20 inches.	Bites are rare; go to an emergency room at once.	Missouri Department of Conservation: pygmy rattlesnake
Prairie massasauga	State endangered, in five isolated populations in the north-central and northwest parts of the state, in marshes and moist prairies near big floodplains.	Shy. Harming or collecting is prohibited; photograph and report.	Missouri Department of Conservation: prairie massasauga
Eastern collared lizard	Most of the Ozarks, the St. Francois glades and a few Kansas City groups, in open sunny glades and quarries. Active mostly April to September, peaking May to late July. It runs on its hind legs.	Do not collect; keep glades undisturbed.	Missouri Department of Conservation: collared lizard; National Park Service: Ozark National Scenic Riverways animals
Hellbender	Spring-fed rivers of the northern Ozarks. Down about 80 percent since the 1970s; state endangered 2003, federal endangered 2021. Ozark Riverways lists a rare Ozark hellbender in the Current and Jacks Fork rivers.	Harmless, and illegal to take. Release one if hooked.	Missouri Department of Conservation: hellbender; National Park Service: Ozark National Scenic Riverways animals
Fish: paddlefish and pallid sturgeon	Paddlefish once ran the Mississippi, Missouri and Osage rivers, reach about 7 feet and depend on stocking. Big Muddy refuge calls the pallid sturgeon endangered. Ozark Riverways waters hold about 112 fish species.	Stay off Big Muddy refuge land at action flood stage or higher.	Missouri Department of Conservation: paddlefish; Fish and Wildlife Service: Big Muddy refuge; National Park Service: Ozark National Scenic Riverways animals

Where to Watch

We only point to places an official page names.

Missouri Department of Conservation: Peck Ranch Conservation Area and the Missouri Department of Conservation: elk driving tours: Ozark elk viewing.
Fish and Wildlife Service: Mingo refuge: wildlife drive, trails, canoe and kayak water.
Fish and Wildlife Service: Loess Bluffs refuge: the Wild Goose Auto Tour for geese, swans and eagles.
Fish and Wildlife Service: Swan Lake refuge: seasonal wildlife drive, observation tower and nature trail.
Fish and Wildlife Service: Big Muddy refuge: Missouri River floodplain. Check the river gauge first.
National Park Service: Ozark National Scenic Riverways animals: 198 bird species, 112 fish and hellbenders.
On this site: Missouri state parks and drive times.

Staying Safe Around Wildlife

Each note below comes from the agency it names, read October 30, 2026. Check the current rule with that agency before you rely on it; general guidance is labelled as such.

Bears: do not feed, even by accident. Store food, toiletries and trash in a closed vehicle, secure grills and pet food, and avoid bird feeders from April to November (Missouri Department of Conservation: Be BearWise).
Venomous snakes: Missouri has five, all pit vipers: copperhead, cottonmouth, pygmy rattlesnake, massasauga and timber rattlesnake. The Department’s snake page has no first-aid advice, so call 911 or go to an emergency room (Missouri Department of Conservation: snake facts).
Feral hogs: avoid them and report sightings (Missouri Department of Conservation: feral hog).
Elk: stay in your vehicle on the Peck Ranch tour and never feed them (Missouri Department of Conservation: elk driving tours).
Rabies: bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes are most often found with rabies in the US. Wash a bite with soap and water, get urgent care, keep pets vaccinated and stay away from wildlife (CDC: rabies).
Ticks: Missouri’s common ticks are the lone star, American dog and blacklegged. They spread diseases including Lyme, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis, and lone star bites are linked to a red-meat allergy. Use repellent, check daily and pull a tick straight out with tweezers (Missouri Department of Conservation: ticks). The CDC lists about 16 tickborne diseases and says to see a provider if symptoms follow a bite (CDC: ticks).

What We Could Not Verify

Whether the Peck Ranch tour dates and closures, and the Mingo auto tour dates, still apply: the pages print dates that may be from an earlier year. The Department and the refuge can confirm.
The elk herd size, and whether the tour is in Carter or Shannon County: the Department’s two pages differ.
Eagle Days events, eagle counts and the best weeks for snow geese. The Department and Loess Bluffs refuge can confirm.
Snakebite first aid. The Department’s snake page has none; call 911 or poison control.
Bear spray guidance, the current bear count and the bear hunt rules. The Department can confirm.
Hercules Glades, Eleven Point, Mark Twain National Forest, Ozark salamanders, groundhogs, opossums and squirrels: not confirmed, so we list none; check the official page.
Local sightings of any animal. The sources give range, not sightings, so “might” applies throughout.

Spotted something unusual? Do not post exact nest or den spots online.

More Guides

Questions People Ask

What wildlife lives in Missouri?

White-tailed deer, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, wild turkeys and bald eagles statewide; black bears in the south; elk in a restored Ozark herd; and five kinds of venomous snakes.

Where can I see elk in Missouri?

The Department names the Peck Ranch Conservation Area tour. Elk live in parts of Carter, Reynolds and Shannon counties; the best times are just after sunrise and before sunset.

Are there bears in Missouri?

Yes, mostly south of the Missouri River. A 2010 study estimated about 300.

Does Missouri have mountain lions?

The Department says there is no breeding population, but it has confirmed about eight a year since the mid-2000s.

Which snakes in Missouri are venomous?

Copperhead, timber rattlesnake, northern cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake and prairie massasauga. The copperhead is the most common.

When can I see bald eagles in Missouri?

Winter is best. The Department calls them a common winter migrant and uncommon in summer.

Are there wild hogs in Missouri?

Yes, in many counties and mostly the southern third. They are invasive; report sightings to the Department.

Do Missouri beavers build dams?

Rarely. They mostly dig dens in the bank.

Are there javelina or alligators in Missouri?

We found no source placing them here, so we do not list them.

Sources

Checked October 30, 2026 by It’s Missouri. Cite this page: It’s Missouri (https://itsmissouri.com/wildlife/), checked October 30, 2026. Free to quote with a link.

Missouri Wildlife Guide: Elk, Bears, Eagles and Snakes