Application period for black bear, elk hunting in Missouri opens May 1

The application period for fall black bear and elk hunts in Missouri opens May 1.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer 2,000 permits to harvest up to a maximum of 60 black bears across three management zones in the southern part of the state during the 2026 Missouri black-bear hunting season, Oct. 17-30. The department increased the number of available permits from 600 to 2,000 and increased the harvest quota limit from 40 to 60 bears to expand hunting opportunities.

Missouri has an estimated population of about 1,100 bears.

"After reviewing results from the past five hunting seasons and considering the continued growth of Missouri's bear population of about 9% per year, we determined that the harvest quota could be increased and more permits could be offered to provide additional hunting opportunities, while still having a limited impact on the bear population," Nate Bowersock, coordinator of the Missouri Department of Conservation's Black Bear and Furbearer Program, said in a statement. "These changes will also inform future management recommendations as we evaluate how an increase in hunters might impact harvest rates. As the black bear population continues to grow and expand, the hunting season will be used as the primary population management tool."

The nine bears killed last fall brought to 56 the number of bears killed since hunting has been allowed.

The overall limit statewide was set at 40 bears per season, or about 5% of the state's estimated population when hunting began, but the annual harvest has come nowhere near that.

Get more information on bear hunting in Missouri and apply during May at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/bear.

The Missouri Department of Conservation also will offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners who own property in Carter, Reynolds or Shannon counties and the remaining permits for qualifying residents.

The department has designated the 2026 elk archery portion to run Oct. 17-25 and the elk firearms portion to run Dec. 12-20.

Missouri has an estimated 325 free-ranging elk, according to the department. Missouri hunters harvested three bull elk during the 2025 season.

Get more information on elk and elk hunting and apply during May at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/elk.

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