The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer 400 permits for the taking of a maximum of 40 black bears during the 2024 black-bear hunting season. [1] MDC will also offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall.
Who Can Apply
Only Missouri residents who will be at least 11 years of age by the first day of the hunt for which they are applying are eligible to apply for bear and elk permits during the application period of May 1-31. All permits will be assigned through a random drawing.
Black Bear Hunting
MDC has established three Bear Management Zones (BMZ) in southern Missouri and will issue annual permit numbers and harvest quotas for each of the three BMZs. Once the specific harvest quotas are filled for each BMZ, the season for that BMZ will be closed.
There is a fee of $10 per applicant. Applicants must select one of three BMZs. Those selected will then be eligible to buy a BMZ-specific permit at a cost of $25. The 2024 bear hunting season will be from October 21st to 30th.
Hunting Hours
Hunting hours will be a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. Hunters will be allowed to use both archery and firearms methods with allowable methods being the same as those for deer and elk, except the use of an atlatl. Baiting and the use of dogs will not be allowed.
Limit
The harvest limit will be one bear per permit. Only lone black bears may be taken. Hunters may not take bears that are known to be in the presence of others bears, including female black bears with cubs. Bears may not be disturbed, pushed, harassed, or taken from a den.
Apply
Apply for the bear-permit random drawing May 1 – 31 online, through MDC’s free MO Hunting app, through a permit vendor, or by calling 1-800-392-4115. Results will be available online by July 1st.
Elk Hunting
MDC will require a $10 application fee for elk-permit applicants. Those selected will then be eligible to buy a permit at a cost of $50. All elk-hunting permits, including those allocated to qualifying area landowners, can be used in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, except the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area.
Hunting Dates
The archery portion will run October 19-27, and the firearms portion will run December 14-22. The allowed hunting methods for each elk season portion will be the same as for deer hunting. The permits will allow for the harvest of one bull elk with at least one antler being six inches or greater in length.
Apply
Apply for the elk-permit random drawing from May 1st to 31st online, through MDC’s free MO Hunting app, through a permit vendor, or by calling 1-800-392-4115. Results will be available online by July 1st.
