Elk are present in Missouri, marking a successful return after being absent for over a century. A reintroduction program has established a growing population in certain areas, offering wildlife viewing opportunities.
Elk’s Return to Missouri
Elk were once common across Missouri, documented by explorers like Lewis and Clark in the early 1800s. By the mid-1880s, they were extirpated, or locally extinct, from the state. Unregulated market hunting for meat, hides, and antlers, combined with widespread habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and settlement, led to their disappearance.
Around 2000, citizen interest prompted the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to conduct a feasibility study for elk reintroduction. Initial plans were suspended due to concerns like chronic wasting disease, but renewed interest and improved disease management paved the way for restoration. From 2011 to 2013, the MDC, in collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, brought 100 to 108 elk from Kentucky to Missouri.
These elk formed the foundational herd for Missouri’s reintroduction program, released into a designated Elk Restoration Zone. The reintroduction involved a “soft release” protocol, where elk underwent disease testing and quarantine before gradual introduction to their new environment. This careful approach ensured the health of both reintroduced elk and Missouri’s existing wildlife. Missouri’s first modern-day elk hunting season began in 2020.
Where Missouri’s Elk Live
Missouri’s elk population is concentrated within the Elk Restoration Zone, primarily encompassing portions of Shannon, Reynolds, and Carter counties in the south-central Ozarks. This zone covers about 346 square miles, with a significant portion being public land. The landscape was chosen for its suitable habitat, high public land ownership, and low density of row crops and livestock, minimizing conflicts.
The heart of the elk’s current range is the Peck Ranch Conservation Area, near Winona. This area consists of rugged, forested hills and hollows, along with limestone and rhyolite glades that provide natural openings. Elk are adaptable and utilize various habitats, including forests, glades, and open woodlands, often venturing into more open areas at dawn and dusk. They also benefit from planted food plots within the restoration zone. While Peck Ranch hosts about 70 percent of the herd, elk also roam the nearby Current River Conservation Area.
Managing Missouri’s Elk
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) manages and conserves the state’s elk population. The MDC uses science-based wildlife management to maintain a healthy and balanced population. This includes monitoring herd health, managing habitat, and addressing human-elk interactions.
The elk population has grown from around 100 animals in 2013 to 241 by 2021, estimated at 275-300 by early 2023. The MDC has a long-term population goal of 400 to 500 animals. Hunting opportunities are used as a management tool to help maintain population goals, herd health, and minimize conflicts with private landowners.
The MDC also maintains strict health protocols, including disease testing for reintroduced animals, to prevent the spread of illnesses to other wildlife and livestock. Ongoing research and public engagement ensure the long-term sustainability of the elk population in Missouri.
Viewing Elk Safely
Observing elk in their natural habitat can be rewarding, particularly within the Elk Restoration Zone. The Peck Ranch Conservation Area offers self-guided driving tours for elk viewing. The Current River Conservation Area also offers a self-guided driving tour. These tours provide opportunities to see elk amidst the fields, forests, and glades of the Ozarks.
The best times for viewing elk are around sunrise or sunset, as elk are crepuscular and most active during these periods. While there is no guarantee of seeing elk, these times increase the likelihood of an encounter. Visitors are encouraged to remain in their vehicles while observing elk, especially on driving tours.
Maintaining a respectful distance from elk is important for human safety and the animals’ well-being. It is recommended to stay at least 50 yards (150 feet) away from elk. Elk are wild animals and can exhibit unpredictable behavior, particularly during calving season (late spring/early summer) when cows are protective of their calves, and during the fall rut when bull elk can be aggressive.
Disturbing wildlife, feeding them, or attempting to approach them is illegal and can lead to dangerous situations. Using binoculars or telephoto lenses allows for close observation without disturbing the animals.