Elk: Hunting Season

PURPOSE: This rule establishes seasons, limits, and provisions for hunting elk. (1) The elk hunting season is comprised of two (2) portions within Carter, Shannon, and Reynolds counties. (A) Archery portion: October 17 through 25, 2026; use archery methods only to take elk in open counties; firearms may not be possessed except any person may carry concealable firearms, as defined in Chapter 571, RSMo, on or about his/her person while hunting. Firearms possessed under this exception may not be used to take wildlife while archery hunting. (B) Firearms portion: December 12 through 20, 2026; use any legal elk hunting method to take elk in open counties. (2) Other wildlife may be hunted during the firearms portion of the elk hunting season except as further restricted in this section: (A) During the firearms portion of the elk hunting season in open counties, other wildlife may be hunted only with pistol, revolver, or rifle firing a .22 caliber or smaller rimfire cartridge, or a shotgun and shot not larger than No. 4; except that waterfowl hunters, trappers, or landowners on their land may use other methods as specified in 3 CSR 10-7.410(1)(G); and except that deer hunters may use other methods as specified in 3 CSR 10-7.431(5) during the antlerless portions of the firearms deer season; and (B) During the firearms portion of the elk hunting season in open counties, persons holding an unfilled elk hunting permit and a Resident Small Game Hunting Permit may take furbearers during daylight hours using any legal elk hunting method. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed June 28, 2019, effective Dec. 30, 2019. Amended: Filed March 26, 2021, effective April 15, 2021. Amended: Filed March 25, 2022, effective April 15, 2022. Amended: Filed May 20, 2022, effective Nov. 30, 2022. Amended: Filed March 14, 2023, effective March 31, 2023. Amended: Filed April 5, 2024, effective April 15, 2024. Amended: Filed Sept. 6, 2024, effective Feb. 28, 2025. Amended: Filed April 4, 2025, effective April 15, 2025. Amended: Filed March 27, 2026, effective April 15, 2026. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.