Bull elk and black bear hunting remain very popular in Missouri, based on the number of people applying for permits.
The latest numbers from the Missouri Department of Conservation show 5,249 bear applications and 8,409 bull elk applications were received last month for this year’s respective hunting seasons.
Last year, the department received 9,300 bull elk applications and 5,969 black bear applications.
Two years ago, 5,374 people applied for bear permits and over 8,562 for elk permits.
Conservation staff said the numbers of applicants fluctuates from year-to-year and that this year’s drop is not concerning.
The application process is a money maker for the conservation department – it charges applicants $10 each for both black bear and bull elk. Those awarded permits have to pay extra fees – $25 extra for bear hunters and $50 extra for elk hunters. Last year, the state agency collected $162,940 in fees from bull elk and black bear applications.
The department will select 600 applicants for black bears permits this year, which is a significant increase. In April, the the Missouri Conservation Commission approved increasing the number of applications from 400 to 600. No more than 40 bears can be shot down during the season.
Only five permits for bull elk will be issued. One of the five permits has to go to someone who owns land in either Shannon, Reynolds, or Carter counties, which is where Missouri’s elk range is located.
Black bear season runs from October 18-31. The state has two bull elk seasons – archery season runs from October 18-26, and firearm season is scheduled from December 13-21.
Last year, hunters killed 15 black bears and five bull elk. In 2023, 12 black bears and three bull elk were killed by hunters in Missouri.
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