Elk

Species Description

A very large member of the deer family with a thick neck, long, slender legs, a long head, and large ears. Elk are the second largest member of the deer family (after the moose).

Elk are vocal mammals issuing a variety of calls and sounds, including the male's well-known screaming “bugle,” plus grunts, mews, and barks, as well as a “knuckle cracking” sound produced by the front legs when walking that is a means of maintaining contact when a herd is moving through heavy cover.

Topic Category
Hunting / Fishing Guide
Regulations
Seasons
Biological Information
Title
Seasons
Elk

Bull Elk at Peck Ranch

Season Not Open
  • October 21, 2023 - October 29, 2023
Hours

One-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset

Notes

Antlered Elk Hunting permits can be used during both the archery and firearms portions of the elk hunting season.

Those selected to receive a permit may take one (1) elk with at least one (1) antler no less than 6” in length.

Elk hunting permits are distributed by random drawing.

Antlered Elk Hunting Permit

Elk: Archery: Allowed Methods

Methods

Longbow, compound bow, or recurve bow of any draw weight

Atlatls, which are defined as a rod or narrow board-like device used to launch, through a throwing motion of the arm, a dart 5 to 8 feet long

Hand-held string releasing devices

Illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights

Crossbow 

Elk: Archery: Prohibited Methods

Methods

Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game

Use of electronic calls, electronically activated calls, bait, dogs, or night vision equipment

Hunting elk from a boat with a motor attached

Hunting elk while they are in a stream or other body of water

Hunting within any area enclosed by a fence greater than seven feet (7’) in height

Archers hunting elk during the archery portion may not be in possession of a firearm. Some exceptions apply. See 3 CSR 10-7.705 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

Season Not Open
  • December 9, 2023 - December 17, 2023
Hours

One-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset

Notes

Antlered Elk Hunting Permits can be used during both the archery and firearms portions of the elk hunting season.

Those selected to receive a permit may take one (1) elk with at least one (1) antler no less than 6” in length.

Elk hunting permits are distributed by random drawing.

Antlered Elk Hunting Permit

Elk: Firearms: Allowed Methods

Methods

Centerfire pistols, revolvers, or rifles using expanding-type bullets such as lead or copper.

Shotguns (including .410) with slugs only.

Air-powered guns, .40 caliber or larger, charged only from an external high-compression power source (external hand pump, air tank, or air compressor).

Muzzleloading or cap-and-ball firearms, .40 caliber or larger and capable of firing only a single projectile at one discharge. In-lines and scopes are allowed.

Multiple-barreled muzzleloading or cap-and-ball firearms and/or muzzleloading or cap-and-ball handguns, including revolvers, .40 caliber or larger, are allowed and may be carried in addition to a muzzleloading or cap-and-ball rifle.

Longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows of any draw weight. Hand-held string-releasing devices, illuminated sights, scopes, and quickpoint sights are allowed.

Crossbows

Atlatls

Elk: Firearms Prohibited Methods

Methods

Self-loading firearms with capacity of more than 11 cartridges in magazine and chamber combined

Ammunition propelling more than one projectile at a single discharge (such as buckshot)

Full hard metal case projectiles

Fully automatic firearms

Any sighting device that casts a beam of light on the game

Use of electronic calls, electronically activated calls, bait, dogs, or night vision equipment

Hunting elk from a boat with a motor attached

Hunting elk while they are in a stream or other body of water

Hunting within any area enclosed by a fence greater than seven feet (7’) in height

Additional methods may be prohibited by local ordinances.