Missouri’s first elk-hunting season in modern history will be available this fall following the April 8 approval by the Conservation Commission to issue five permits for hunting bull elk. Four general permits will be for the public, and one permit will be reserved for qualifying area landowners.
Missouri’s first pending elk hunt comes after years of restoration efforts of the once-native species by the Conservation Department and numerous partners and supporters.
For this first elk season, the Commission designated a nine-day archery portion Oct. 17 to 25, and a nine-day firearms portion Dec. 12 to 20. The five permits for bull elk and will be valid for both portions. All permits will be assigned through a random-lottery drawing.
“The timing of the season was designed to come after the peak of elk breeding during late September and early October and to avoid the elk season coinciding with portions of the firearms deer season,” explained Aaron Hildreth, elk and deer biologist.
There will be a $10 application fee for those applying for the general permits. Qualifying landowners will not be required to pay the application fee when applying for the landowner permit. Those selected for each of the five permits must pay a $50 permit fee.
The Commission will limit the random lottery to one application per-person, per-year with a 10-year sit-out period for those drawn for a general permit before they may apply again. If selected for a landowner elk permit, qualifying landowners will not be required to wait 10 years before again applying for a landowner elk permit.
Qualifying landowners may apply once each year for a general elk hunting permit and for a landowner elk permit but are eligible to receive only one permit annually.
The landowner elk permit is limited to resident landowners with at least 20 acres within the Landowner Elk Hunting Zone of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties. Zone boundaries are shown in the application. The landowner permit is nontransferable and may only be filled on the landowner’s property.
General permits can be used in Carter, Reynolds and Shannon counties, except the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area. Like the landowner permit, general permits are nontransferable.
“The allowed hunting methods for each season will be the same as for deer hunting,” Hildreth said. “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.”
To apply for an elk permit, applicants must be Missouri residents at least 11 years of age by the first day of the hunt. Those selected to receive a permit must have their hunter-education certification or be exempt by age (born before Jan. 1, 1967) before they may purchase the permit. All applications must be completed online or at a local vendor.
Apply for the random elk-permit lottery May 1-31 online or through a permit vendor.
Qualifying landowners are required to submit their property information before applying through MDC’s Landowner Permit Application.
Applicants can check to see if they have been selected for an elk-hunting permit online starting July 1.