Elk hunting in Mo

[H8nonCubs]

This post is mainly directed at people that live in the Midwest,but also curious about peoples opinions and experiences abroad. MoCons has recently approved introduction of elk to their natural habitat of our fine state.
 And was wondering what people were thinking about it.
 I myself, living in missouri am pretty excited about having the chance to hunting these awesome animals at an affordable price!

[Huntschool]

I think its at least interesting....

I would be remiss if I did not say "it will be awhile" before there are huntable numbers. That being said... Sounds great.

Illinois talked about it but it seemed to die on the vine.

Where will the primary introduction site be located?

[LoweBow]

I heard a conversation a few nights ago at a QDMA event that a deal had already been cut to ship a number of elk from here in KY to MO....150 to start I believe.

[H8nonCubs]

That sounds about right. I believe were also getting some from Co. From what I hear it will be southeastern month to start. I know it will be a wait for even the chance to hunt. With that said its still super exciting and it will probably still be much closer to my financial capabilities in the end.

[Txnrog]

Being in CO, I think it's generally great that elk are returning to their historic range. Challenge is certainly going to be that the landscape has changed quite a bit since they were last there. They'll adapt fine, but sometimes people do not. They can do alot of damage to crops, so expect for damage payments to go up, and depredation to be the bulk of the harvest for a while. Other than that, congrats to you fellas! They are a great game animal and great to see in the wild.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

My cousin was hunting on that conservation area where they are stocking them and he said there are already some elk there! Yee Haa!
I said, "Already?" they weren't supposed to start the stocking efforts until after Jan. 2011??

I'm all for it, and tickled to death. I may never make it out west to hunt elk, but you can bet your favorite long bow that when the draw hunt begins.......My name will be in it!

I'm not going to hold my breath too much about it right now, because it could be 5-10 years before they allow any hunting elk, or it could be sooner? Who knows, but even when they do allow people to take some elk, I imagine it will only be an old bull or maybe a cow? Then it will be very few at that. Chances of getting drawn will be like winning the lottery.....Literally!

I'm really curious as to how they will do the hunting process and how all this will play out.

[stevewills]

didnt take kentucky long to have a hunt for them,i still havent gotten drawn

[Onestringer]

I am all for it and think its great.  I wish they would have done it 15 years ago like they wanted to.

Scott

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Originally posted by Txnrog:
Being in CO, I think it's generally great that elk are returning to their historic range. Challenge is certainly going to be that the landscape has changed quite a bit since they were last there. They'll adapt fine, but sometimes people do not. They can do alot of damage to crops, so expect for damage payments to go up, and depredation to be the bulk of the harvest for a while. Other than that, congrats to you fellas! They are a great game animal and great to see in the wild.

I think the agricultural part of the release zone is real low, like 3% of the total area or something like that?
Also as a correction to my last post, I don't know for 100% certainty that my cousin saw the elk in the area they were going to stock them, but he claims it to be true?

Here's a write up about it.
 http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/animal-management/elk-restoration/elk-restoration-plan-faqs

Here's more:

 http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/appalachian-wildlife-foundation-pledges-support-mo-elk-restoration

[swp]

Appalachian Wildlife Foundation is a partner in this project they are selling raffle tickets through December 24 to help raise funds, they pledged $50,000, ticks are $25ea or 6 for $100. They are having 24 drawings from 12/26-29 for cool hunts and gear. Check it out at  www.appalachianwildlife.com

[Txnrog]

"I think the agricultural part of the release zone is real low, like 3% of the total area or something like that?"

They'll spread, and as I mentioned, I bet that 3% of land accounts for the heaviest harvest for the first several years.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I sure hope so!    

Wouldn't hurt my feelings any if I had a few here on my place, but I do understand that farmers would be pissed. I don't want it to become a problem and the MDC scraps the whole idea.

They will see to it that the numbers are in check. One thing for sure.....they should populate fairly quickly with no natural predators in Missouri besides me.  

[Eric Sprick]

Here is, I hope, another link to the issue.  Being from Missouri I think its pretty cool.
The area being restored is the most beautiful in the state...I can almost hear the bulls bugling across the valley.

Eric.

 http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-publishes-plan-elk-restoration

[Jim Jackson]

I worked this summer at Drury Mincy conservation area near Branson.  There is a small population there that has been seen for the past couple years.  Appears to have migrated north from the Arkansas population naturally.

My gut feeling is that they know they are going to have a population soon anyway, so we might as well do it up right while we are at it...!

[Txnrog]

"I think the agricultural part of the release zone is real low, like 3% of the total area or something like that?"

They'll spread, and as I mentioned, I bet that 3% of land accounts for the heaviest harvest for the first several years.

[Txnrog]

not sure what happened there with the latent post. Apologize for the double

[Don Stokes]

I really like the fact that the MDC web page mentions more than once that control of excess population will include hunting.

[greyghost]

I think that is great. They are thinking of doing the same here in VA in the southwest corner of the State. I may not be around to enjoy the outcome but at least my grandkids may enjoy a hopefully successful management plan.

Lets just hope the time, support and money is there for the programs.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Originally posted by A. Kinslow:
I worked this summer at Drury Mincy conservation area near Branson.  There is a small population there that has been seen for the past couple years.  Appears to have migrated north from the Arkansas population naturally.

My gut feeling is that they know they are going to have a population soon anyway, so we might as well do it up right while we are at it...!

That may be what my cousin saw? My uncle told me that his boy Levi was bowhunting down near Branson and saw Elk while in the woods. My uncle couldn't remember the name of the CA that Levi was on, but he claims he definitely saw Elk and just stood there dumbfounded watching them.

Could you imagine what that would feel like?
It would be something I've waited my entire life to feel, almost like a dream or having died and gone to bowhunting heaven for me.

[Living_waters]

SHHHHHHHH SEMO don't let out the secret. LOL

Talked to a MDC official back early fall he said then that the vote, press releases and articles would all be after the fact. This has been in the works for several years. The herd then was in quarantine waiting transport.
He also said that they were going to watch the herd numbers for several years, and most likely after the second successful breeding season there would be a limited quota hunt.
Just a thought, the east side of the ranch in places is as close as 300 yrds from the current river. Plenty of pasture and lowland browse for food. I have hunted the area off M highway several times and have seen all kinds of strange critters come off of the ranch

But if you have the greenbacks you can hunt elk not far from there right now.  http://pineyridgeranch.com