Below is part of a news release from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners that own property in Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties and the remaining permits for qualifying Missouri residents. MDC has designated the elk archery portion to run Oct. 19-27 and the elk firearms portion to run Dec. 14-22. The five permits will be for bull elk with at least one antler being six inches or greater in length and will be valid for both archery and firearms portions.
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 during the application period of May 1-31. All permits will be assigned through a random drawing.
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.
The archery portion will run Oct. 19-27 and the firearms portion will run Dec. 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. For more information on elk and elk hunting in Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov/elkhunting.
Apply for the elk-permit random drawing May 1-31 online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, through MDC’s free MO Hunting app, through a permit vendor, or by calling 1-800-392-4115. Results of the elk-permit random drawing will be available online by July 1.
Missouri hunters harvested one bull elk during the 2023 archery portion and two during the 2023 firearms portion.
(Photo credit: Missouri Department of Conservation)