Missouri Department of Conservation Missouri Department of Conservation

Search

Elk Hunting and Management

In 2018, Missouri Department of Conservation hosted open houses in communities around the elk management zone.

Management Plan Goals

Goal 1: Population Growth
Goal 2: Hunting and Recreation
Goal 3: Elk Range
Goal 4: Public Support

In This Section

Elk in Missouri (pdf, 8 MB)

In 2011, the Missouri Department of Conservation reintroduced the first group of elk onto Peck Ranch CA in south-central Missouri.

Elk in Missouri Outside of the Elk Restoration Zone

Missouri has a long history of elk sightings throughout the state predating the elk restoration

Elk Vs Deer

Check out the differences between an elk and a white-tailed deer.

Science Note - Reintroduced Elk Response to Deer Hunt Disturbance in Missouri (pdf, 2 MB)

From 2011 to 2013, the Missouri Department of Conservation transported 108 elk from southeastern Kentucky to the Missouri Ozarks with the goal of restoring a wild population within 3 counties.

Science Note - Visitor Survey Results from MDCs Elk Tour (pdf, 2 MB)

Throughout 2016, MDC conducted onsite visitor surveys at the two Elk Tour Loops which were on Peck Ranch and Current River conservation areas.

Science Note - Parelaphostrongylus Tenuis (pdf, 931 KB)

Parelaphostrongylus tenuis is a parasitic nematode (roundworm) with a life cycle that involves white-tailed deer and several species of terrestrial snails and slugs in Eastern North America.