The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announced the first Missouri elk hunt in modern history. The MDC met on April 8, 2020, and approved issuing five permits for hunting bull elk in the 2020 season.
This elk season comes after years of restoration efforts. Elk were a native species of Missouri. Recent efforts united with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation helped bring elk back to Missouri.
Details Of The Season
For this first elk season, MDC has set apart a nine-day archery portion. This season will run on October 17-25, 2020. A nine-day firearm season will follow later from December 12-20, 2020. Four of the permits will be for the public. A qualifying landowner may apply for the remaining permit. The permits will be valid for both portions of hunting- archery and firearm. A lottery system will assign the permits.
Why This Timing?
The timing of this season comes after the peak of elk breeding. The breeding occurs in late September and early October. The elk season dates are also determined around the pre-arranged forearm deer season.
Other Pertinent Information?
MDC requires a $10 application fee for the general permits. MDC is waiving the application fee for those applying for the landowner permit. Those applicants who are selected for the hunts must pay a $50 permit fee.
MDC is limiting the lottery to one application per person per year. If a person is drawn, he then has a 10-year “sit-out” period before applying again. Qualifying landowners may apply once each year. These landowners are allowed to receive only one permit per year.
The hunting methods are the same as deer hunting.
What Is A Qualifying Landowner?
A qualifying landowner is a resident landowner who lives at least 20 acres within the “Landowner Elk Hunting Zone” of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties. The zone counties are shown on the application. This permit is nontransferable and may only be filled on the landowner’s property.
How To Apply?
An applicant must be a Missouri resident. He must be at least 18 years old by the first day of the hunt. Those selected must have a hunter-education certification or exemption before purchasing the permit. For an online application, click here. For a landowner permit, click here.
