Last Chance for Permits for Hunting Bear & Elk in Missouri

If you have had the urge to go hunting for bear or elk in Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to remind you that you only have a few days left to apply for the permits.

The deadline to apply is May 31.

There's various ways to apply for both the black-bear hunting and elk hunting permits. You can buy your permit through a permit vendor, by going through the MDC's free MO Hunting app, online at https://mdc-web.s3licensing.com/, or by calling 1-800-392-4115. Each application has a $10 non-refundable fee. You must be a resident of Missouri and 11 years old or older by the start of the season. Eligible Missourians may apply for both.

Selection of both black bear and elk permits will be determined by July 1 through a random drawing of all eligible applicants.

Those selected to receive a permit must have their hunter-education certification or be exempt by age (born before Jan. 1, 1967) before they may purchase the permit. The bear-hunting permit is $25. The elk-hunting permit is $50. All permits are nontransferable.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will be offering 400 permits for the state’s first black-bear hunting season this coming fall, October 18–27. The maximum total harvest for the season will be 40 bears.

MDC will be offering five permits for elk hunting this fall. The Missouri Department of Conservation has designated a nine-day archery portion running October 16-24 and a nine-day firearms portion running December 11-19. The five permits will be for bull elk and will be valid for both portions.

For more information on black bear hunting go to https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/bear.

For more information on elk hunting go to https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/elk.