Reynolds and Shannon Counties, Missouri – The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking for public input on a potential hunting season for antlerless elk. According to MDC Elk and Deer Biologist Aaron Hildreth, the elk numbers continue to grow in Missouri after their reintroduction a decade ago. The Missouri Department of Conservation wishes to keep the population of elk in Missouri to 500 and within the Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties. Right now the herd is estimated at 320 before calving.
The potential season’s hunting rules and regulations would mirror those of the antlered–elk hunting. Hunting would be limited to Missouri residents of 11 years of age or older. The application fee would be $10 and a permit $50, which would be assigned through random drawings. All the permits would be allowed in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon, except in the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area and they would be valid for both archery and firearms portions. Season dates, landowner opportunities, methods of take, and other details would also be like antlered-elk hunting. MDC has not determined the number of permits that would be available or confirmed the year that this particular hunting would begin.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking for the public to comment and vote on whether the hunting season should become a possibility. To leave a comment and input visit, mdc.mo.gov. Comments will be open to the public until April 28. The public’s comments will determine the framework for the future antlerless-elk hunting season. To learn more about the current elk hunting options visit, mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/elk.
