Big game
Elk hunting in Missouri
Elk in Missouri: every 2026-27 season row with its source.
Photo: Larry Lamsa (CC BY 2.0)
The elk calendar for 2026-27 covers Oct 17 to Dec 20, 2026; permits, limits, legal light and land come after the dates.
Elk: the short version
- Limits: 1 antlered elk (6 in.+ antler) on a drawn resident permit.
- Season shape: Archery Oct 17-25, firearms Dec 12-20, 2026; Carter, Reynolds, Shannon counties.
- More: About 325 free-ranging elk; 5 permits.
MDC source (as of Apr 28, 2026), checked October 29, 2026.
GearHeading out for a hunt? Hunting gear checklists by season →
Elk dates, 2026-27
Read the elk rows by area: counties, bear zones, the elk counties or duck zones where they apply.
| Season | Covers | Bag | Opening | Closing | Span | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery portion | Carter, Reynolds, Shannon | 1 elk with at least one antler 6 in.+ | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 9 | |
| Firearms portion | Carter, Reynolds, Shannon | 1 antlered elk | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | 9 |
Elk season notes
- 5 Resident Antlered Elk permits (drawing; >=1 to a landowner). Hunter orange required Oct 24-25 (overlaps youth deer).
- Deer firearms methods (centerfire, slugs, air guns .40+, muzzleloaders, air bows, bows, crossbows, atlatls)
- Hunter orange required. Antlerless elk permits not offered in 2026. Other hunters in the three counties limited to .22 rimfire / No. 4 shot.
From Elk Hunting Digest p. 4, checked October 29, 2026.
The elk zone in Carter, Reynolds and Shannon
Carter, Reynolds and Shannon counties excluding the refuge portion of Peck Ranch CA. Elk outside these counties may not be hunted.
Elk counties: Carter County, Reynolds County, Shannon County.
Sun table for elk hunters
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2026 | 07:14 | 18:25 |
| Oct 18, 2026 | 07:15 | 18:23 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | 07:16 | 18:22 |
| Oct 20, 2026 | 07:17 | 18:21 |
| Oct 21, 2026 | 07:17 | 18:19 |
| Oct 22, 2026 | 07:18 | 18:18 |
| Oct 23, 2026 | 07:19 | 18:17 |
| Oct 24, 2026 | 07:20 | 18:16 |
| Oct 25, 2026 | 07:21 | 18:14 |
| Dec 12, 2026 | 07:08 | 16:48 |
| Dec 13, 2026 | 07:09 | 16:48 |
| Dec 14, 2026 | 07:09 | 16:48 |
| Dec 15, 2026 | 07:10 | 16:48 |
| Dec 16, 2026 | 07:11 | 16:49 |
| Dec 17, 2026 | 07:11 | 16:49 |
| Dec 18, 2026 | 07:12 | 16:50 |
| Dec 19, 2026 | 07:13 | 16:50 |
| Dec 20, 2026 | 07:13 | 16:50 |
Elk Hunting Digest, elk sun table, checked October 29, 2026.
Elk harvest and permits
About 325 free-ranging elk (May 2026 In Brief). Elk harvest for 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 not found in the MDC pages read.
| Year | Elk taken | Permits | Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 5 | 9,684 |
| 2025 | 3 | 5 | |
| 2026 | Not published | 5 |
MDC elk figures, checked October 29, 2026.
Bag limits and permit costs for elk
A $5 Share the Harvest donation can be added when buying elk permits.
| Group | Limit |
|---|---|
| Elk | 1 elk with at least one antler 6 in. or longer. |
Permit list for elk
| Permit | Residency | Who | Price | Valid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlered Elk | resident | Age 11+ (drawn) | $50 | Elk season |
| Antlerless Elk | resident | Age 11+ | $50 | Elk season |
| Bear/elk application | resident | Residents | $10 (nonrefundable) | May 1-31, 2026 |
From Black Bear Hunting Digest p. 6, Elk Hunting Digest p. 4 and Elk Hunting Digest p. 6, checked October 29, 2026.
Public areas that list elk
18 public areas sit in the elk counties; the Peck Ranch refuge is excluded.
| Kind of land | Areas |
|---|---|
| Conservation Area | 11 |
| Ranger district | 4 |
| Corps lake lands | 1 |
| Towersite | 1 |
| National Forest | 1 |
| MDC region | Areas |
|---|---|
| Ozark | 9 |
| Southeast | 8 |
| Southwest | 1 |
Area lists from MDC area pages and the MDC places directory; methods from the MDC atlas; checked October 29, 2026.
Before you hunt elk
- Hours: The big game clock covers elk: sunrise minus 30 minutes to sunset plus 30 minutes, on every day of every portion.
- Visibility: Elk hunters and companions wear hunter orange in the firearms elk portion, and archers too on Oct 24-25 when the youth deer portion overlaps.
- Feed and bait: Feed placed for elk is bait; salt and mineral are banned in Shannon County and on MDC areas.
- Reporting: Elk hunters Telecheck the same day by 10 p.m.
Methods for elk hunting
| Methods | Rule |
|---|---|
| Legal | Centerfire rifles and handguns with expanding bullets (lead or copper), shotguns with slugs (incl. .410), air-powered guns .40 cal+ charged from an external source, muzzleloaders and cap-and-ball .40 cal+ (incl. handguns), bows, crossbows, atlatls (not bear), air bows. |
| Not legal | Self-loading firearms holding more than 11 rounds (concealable firearms excepted, not for taking game), buckshot/multiple projectiles, full metal jacket, fully automatic, electronic calls. |
Tree stands and blinds on MDC areas: Portable stands Sept 1-Jan 31 only, labeled, no nails or screw-in steps; blinds removed daily; no mineral blocks or salt on MDC areas.
shooting hours, hunter orange, methods, checked October 29, 2026.
Elk: first and last legal minutes
MDC prints one sun table for Jefferson City; the elk times here are adjusted by longitude for six counties.
| Date | County | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2026 | Jackson County | 6:59 a.m. | 7:07 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | St. Louis County | 6:43 a.m. | 6:51 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Greene County | 6:55 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Boone County | 6:51 a.m. | 6:59 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Cape Girardeau County | 6:40 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Nodaway County | 7:01 a.m. | 7:09 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Jackson County | 6:56 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | St. Louis County | 6:40 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Greene County | 6:52 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Boone County | 6:48 a.m. | 5:19 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Cape Girardeau County | 6:37 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Nodaway County | 6:58 a.m. | 5:29 p.m. |
MDC sunrise and sunset table with the MDC longitude rule; checked October 29, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Elk hunting FAQ
What can I hunt elk with?
Centerfire rifles and handguns with expanding bullets (lead or copper), shotguns with slugs (incl. .410), air-powered guns .40 cal+ charged from an external source, muzzleloaders and cap-and-ball .40 cal+ (incl. handguns), bows, crossbows, atlatls (not bear), air bows. Not legal: Self-loading firearms holding more than 11 rounds (concealable firearms excepted, not for taking game), buckshot/multiple projectiles, full metal jacket, fully automatic, electronic calls.
What time can I start hunting elk?
The big game clock covers elk: sunrise minus 30 minutes to sunset plus 30 minutes, on every day of every portion.
Is hunter orange required for elk?
Elk hunters and companions wear hunter orange in the firearms elk portion, and archers too on Oct 24-25 when the youth deer portion overlaps.
Is there public land for elk?
18 public areas in this guide list elk or the hunting group that covers them; the largest include Mark Twain National Forest, Doniphan / Eleven Point district (Mark Twain National Forest) and Potosi / Fredericktown district (Mark Twain National Forest). Read each area page before a elk hunt, since methods vary.
Does Missouri require a elk check?
Elk hunters Telecheck the same day by 10 p.m.
Can I hunt elk on Sunday in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri has no Sunday rule, and elk seasons run seven days a week.
How long is the wait after an elk draw?
5 resident antlered elk permits in 2026 (at least one to a landowner); apply May 1-31 for $10; the permit is $50 and winners wait 10 years. Hunting is limited to Carter, Reynolds and Shannon counties, outside the Peck Ranch refuge. Elk zone.
What dates apply to elk this season?
Archery portion (elk counties) Oct 17 to Oct 25, 2026; Firearms portion (elk counties) Dec 12 to Dec 20, 2026.
What are the elk limits?
1 elk with at least one antler 6 in. or longer.
Which permit do elk hunters buy?
For elk, the resident Antlered Elk permit costs $50 (Age 11+ (drawn)). Prices for elk permits match the Wildlife Code fee schedule.