The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians interested in hunting black bears in the state to apply during May for one of 400 permits being offered by MDC for the state’s first black-bear hunting season October 18-27. The maximum total harvest for the season will be 40 bears. Bear hunting in Missouri is limited to Missouri residents and restricts bear hunting to three designated areas of southern Missouri called Bear Management Zones (BMZ). Hunters must apply for a specific Black Bear Management Zone. Permit and harvest quotas for the season will be: · BMZ 1: Permit quota of 200 issued with a harvest quota of 20 bears.