Also known as: Wapiti
Elk are a very large member of the deer family with a thick neck, long slender legs, long head, and large ears, ranking second only to moose in size among deer. Bulls (males) grow and shed antlers annually, while cows generally do not. Their winter coat is tan, shifting to reddish brown in summer, with a dark brown head, neck, legs, and belly, plus a shaggy mane and light-colored rump. Length ranges from 7-9 feet and weight from 500-830 pounds, with females smaller than males.
Habitat & Range
In Missouri, elk favor open pastures and woodlands and wooded slopes. They historically ranged across what is now Missouri but were extirpated by the 1880s; reintroduced populations now occupy portions of the Ozarks, where they use food plots, pastures, open ground, and forested settings.
Life History
Elk are ruminants with four-chambered stomachs, eating roughly equal amounts of grasses, forbs, and woody browse, with acorns eaten when available. The rut runs from late September to mid-October when dominant bulls compete to hold harems of up to 25 cows. After an approximately 8-month gestation, cows typically give birth to a single calf in early summer, and calves are hiders remaining immobile and hidden for their first weeks. Elk live 20+ years in captivity but average 8-15 in the wild.
Status, Trends & Threats
Elk were absent from Missouri since the 1880s due to habitat loss and overhunting by settlers. Restoration efforts from 2011-2013 reestablished them as a native game species in portions of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties. Modern hunters now help keep populations in check, and the species is managed as a big game animal with limited permit hunting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Missouri can elk be hunted?
Elk hunting in Missouri is restricted to portions of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties in the Ozarks, where the reintroduced herd is established. Hunting is by limited permit only through a draw system administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
When is elk hunting season in Missouri?
Missouri elk hunting seasons are typically held in the fall, with archery and firearms portions. Due to the small herd size, permits are extremely limited and allocated through a lottery system. Specific dates and permit availability are announced annually by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
What is the bag limit for elk in Missouri?
Elk permits in Missouri are highly restricted and typically allow the harvest of one elk. Hunters must apply through the MDC limited permit drawing. Both bull and cow permits may be available depending on herd management objectives for that year.
