Today, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved five permits to be issued for hunting bull elk in the 2020 hunting season, marking the state’s first elk-hunting season in more than a century.
Elk, though native to Missouri, were hunted to extinction in the late 1800s. The Missouri Department of Conservation has reintroduced about 100 elk to the Missouri Ozarks in 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the population has since grown to more than 200. According to the press release, the MDC hopes to grow the population to 500 and use hunting to manage the animals’ size and location.
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“Our plan was to offer a limited season for hunting elk in Missouri once the herd reached a minimum of 200 animals with an annual herd growth rate of at least 10 percent, and a herd ratio of at least one bull for every four cow elk,” the Missouri Department of Conservation’s elk and deer biologist, Aaron Hildreth, said in the release.
In Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties (except the refuge portion of the Peck Ranch Conservation Area), those who have one of the five permits can hunt bull elk using archery through October 17–25; from December 12–20, firearms can be used. The season is set purposely after the peak of elk breeding and to not coincide with firearms deer season.
Interested hunters can apply ($10 application fee) to be entered into a random lottery drawing for four of the five permits. The fifth permit will be reserved for qualifying area landowners (who have at least 20 acres in the aforementioned counties) can apply without the application fee. Only landowners who have elk on their property are encouraged to apply. Hunters selected for each of the five permits must pay a $50 permit fee.
“The allowed hunting methods for each season will be the same as for deer hunting,” Hildreth said in a statement. “The permits will allow for the harvest of one bull elk with at least one antler being greater than six inches in length. Successful hunters must Telecheck their harvested elk, like for deer.”
