State’s first elk-hunting season this fall

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announced it will offer Missourians the state’s first elk-hunting season in modern history starting this fall. At its April 8 meeting, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved the issuance of five permits for hunting bull elk for the 2020 season.
Four general permits will be for the public and one permit will be reserved for qualifying area landowners.
For this first elk season, MDC has designated a nine-day archery portion running Oct. 17-25 and a nine-day firearms portion running Dec. 12-20.
The five permits will be for bull elk and will be valid for both portions. All permits will be assigned through a random-lottery drawing.
MDC will require a $10 application fee for those applying for the general permits. Qualifying landowners will not be required to pay the $10 application fee when applying for the landowner permit. Those selected for each of the five permits must pay a $50 permit fee.
MDC will limit the random lottery to one application per-person, per-year with a 10-year
To apply for an elk permit, applicants must be Missouri residents and 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.
Apply for the random elk-permit lottery May 1 – 31 online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through a permit vendor.
Applicants can check to see if they have been selected for an elk-hunting permit online starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits after logging into “Manage Your Account” and selecting “View My Special Hunt History.”