Elk Hunting Seasons: General Provisions

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the general provisions for hunting elk. (1) Elk may be pursued, taken, killed, possessed, or transported only as permitted in this Code. (2) Persons hunting or pursuing elk must possess a prescribed elk hunting permit. (3) Elk may be pursued or taken only from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise until one-half (1/2) hour after sunset. (4) Elk Hunting Methods. (A) Archery: longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, crossbows, and atlatl. (B) Muzzleloader: muzzleloading firearms as defined in 3 CSR 10-20.805, .40 caliber or larger. (C) Any legal method: archery and muzzleloader methods; atlatl; shotguns; handguns or rifles firing expanding-type centerfire ammunition; and air-powered guns, .40 caliber or larger, charged only from an external high compression power source (external hand pump, air tank, or air compressor). (D) Prohibited, in use or possession— 1. Methods restricted by local ordinance; 2. Self-loading firearms with capacity of more than eleven (11) cartridges in magazine and chamber combined with the exception of concealable firearms, as defined in Chapter 571, RSMo. Firearms possessed under this exception may not be used to take wildlife while elk hunting; 3. Ammunition propelling more than one (1) projectile at a single discharge, such as buckshot; 4. Full hard metal case projectiles; 5. Fully automatic firearms; and 6. Electronic calls or electronically activated calls. (5) Elk may not be hunted, pursued, taken, or killed— (A) While in a stream or other body of water; (B) From a boat with a motor attached; (C) With the aid of a motor-driven land conveyance or aircraft, except unmanned motor-driven air conveyances may be used to recover wounded elk as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 10-7.410; (D) With the aid of dogs, in use or possession, except for the recovery of wounded elk as specifically authorized by 3 CSR 107.410; (E) With the aid of artificial light or night vision equipment; (F) Within any area enclosed by a fence greater than seven feet (7') in height that could contain or restrict the free range of elk. Exceptions are provided in other rules or by written authorization of the director; and (G) With the aid of bait (grain or other feed placed or scattered so as to constitute an attraction or enticement to elk). Scents and minerals, including salt, are not regarded as bait; however, mineral blocks with food additives are prohibited. An area is considered baited for ten (10) days following complete removal of bait. A person shall be in violation of this provision if they take or attempt to take elk by the aid of bait, where the person knows or reasonably should know the area is or has been baited. It is illegal to place bait in a way that causes others to be in violation of the baiting rule. (6) During the firearm portion of the elk hunting season, all persons hunting elk and their companions must wear a cap or hat and a shirt, vest, or coat of the color commonly known as hunter orange, which must be plainly visible from all sides. Camouflage orange garments do not meet this requirement. (7) Hunters who kill or injure an elk must make a reasonable effort to retrieve and tag it, but this does not authorize trespass. (8) Hunters who take an elk shall void their permit immediate ly by notching the month and date of harvest and shall keep the elk separate or distinctly identifiable from elk taken or pos sessed by another. When the elk is not personally attended and prior to reporting through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System, the voided permit or proper label shall be attached to the elk. Elk may be possessed and transported only by the taker until reported through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting Sys tem. All elk taken shall be accurately reported by the taker or in the taker’s immediate presence through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System by 10 p.m. on the day taken. The Telecheck confirmation number shall be recorded immediately on the elk hunting permit. The elk shall remain intact, as a field-dressed carcass, or be quartered with evidence of sex retained until the elk is reported through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting Sys tem. All elk shall be reported through the Telecheck Harvest Reporting System prior to processing (except field dressing or quartering as specified in this section), prior to transportation outside the county of harvest, or prior to being removed from the state. After reporting through the Telecheck Harvest Re porting System, elk may be possessed, transported, and stored by anyone when labeled with the permit or any label that in cludes the full name and address of the taker, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number. (9) Elk (or parts thereof) reported in accordance with established procedures, when labeled with the full name and address of the taker, the date taken, and the Telecheck confirmation number of the elk, may be possessed, transported, and stored by anyone. Commercially processed elk meat may be donated to not-for-profit charitable organizations under guidelines established by the director. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed June 28, 2019, effec tive Dec. 30, 2019. Amended: Filed April 9, 2020, effective April 29, 2020. Amended: Filed Sept. 4, 2020, effective Feb. 28, 2021. Amended: Filed April 11, 2023, effective Sept. 30, 2023. Amended: Filed Feb. 23, 2024, effective Aug. 30, 2024. Amended: Filed Feb. 7, 2025, effective Aug. 30, 2025. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.