Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Missouri
April, March and May is the best time to see great horned owls in Missouri. Based on 528 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Missouri.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
528 verified observations of great horned owls in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
April
127 records (24.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 4.5% |
| February | 22 | 4.2% |
| Marchpeak | 59 | 11.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 127 | 24.1% |
| Maypeak | 57 | 10.8% |
| June | 39 | 7.4% |
| July | 40 | 7.6% |
| August | 40 | 7.6% |
| September | 35 | 6.6% |
| October | 27 | 5.1% |
| November | 24 | 4.5% |
| December | 34 | 6.4% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 528 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Missouri
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 37 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 27°F | 3" |
| Feb | 45°F | 25°F | 3.2" |
| Marbest time | 57°F | 37°F | 5.6" |
| Aprbest time | 67°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 74°F | 56°F | 5.9" |
| Jun | 86°F | 65°F | 4.3" |
| Jul | 90°F | 70°F | 4.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 69°F | 5.1" |
| Sep | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Oct | 68°F | 49°F | 5" |
| Nov | 57°F | 38°F | 2.1" |
| Dec | 50°F | 32°F | 2.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Missouri. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Missouri peak in April, when 127 of the year's 528 verified observations are logged — about 24.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is February, January and November, when great horned owls are hardest to find — February sees just 22 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Missouri are Great Horned Owl — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see great horned owls in Missouri
- George Washington Carver National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways — National Scenic Riverways
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Missouri?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 528 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Missouri?+
February is the quietest month for great horned owls in Missouri, with only 22 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Missouri?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Missouri, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Missouri