Mo Elk Season.

[jdmidwest]

Whoever said that they are just here for us to look at was wrong. Mo Elk Season is coming in 2016 possibly for 10-15 hunters.

http://rhtrav.com/wordpress/missouri-elk-season-tentatively-set-for-2016/#more-13860

[Quillback]

Seems inevitable, assuming the MO herd does as well as the AR herd.

[Harps]

MDC has stated from the beginning of this project that the goal was to establish a huntable population. I am surprised at how early they are predicting hunting to be available. I figured it would take 10-12 years to get to that point. I'll apply for a permit along with the 100,000 others.....

[ozark trout fisher]

Not interest whatsoever for me in hunting them. No moral outrage here-I'm an avid deer hunter in that neck of the woods. But the idea of hunting an animal so early in the reintroduction process wouldn't feel right for me. I understand that they aren't supposed to spread beyond the designated area and that there is a goal population that is relatively small.

I get all that and why it is almost certainly necessary.........but I don't want any part in limiting the distribution of a once widespread native species. Got no problem with others throwing their name in but that is my 2 cents. Plenty of deer in southern MO, they are darned good to eat too. No need for other large game to hunt for me.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I hope the first ones are for bowhunters during the rut.

[jdmidwest]

I wonder if you could hack a radio to track their collars. It would be like shooting fish in a barrel. 30K fish in a bucket.

[Feathers and Fins]

Seems like a high fence hunt operation to me in a way. I have hunted Elk in the past and enjoyed it but hunting them in a "confined area" just is not for me. I also think they should have gave it several years and they should allow the heard to expand.

Allowing hunters to shoot one before they do for it jumping the border is better press though!

[Wayne SW/MO]

I have hunted Elk in the past and enjoyed it but hunting them in a "confined area" just is not for me.

Me too and I just don't see a hunt in Missouri ever being the same. For me the mountains and the snow, coupled with hard work and cougar tracks has mystic all its own. That's why I think a bow hunt or black powder would be more appropriate. At least throw some more difficulty into the hunt and take it beyond just shooting an elk.

[ozark trout fisher]

Seems like a high fence hunt operation to me in a way. I have hunted Elk in the past and enjoyed it but hunting them in a "confined area" just is not for me. I also think they should have gave it several years and they should allow the heard to expand.

We have disagreed about elk in the past, but to me, this is spot on. These are not wild animals at this point, not with radio collars around their neck. I understand why it's needed but I don't want to take part. My only sadness is that area will get so much attention from the start of an elk season...........I've been going down there long enough and seeing essentially no people to the point where I start to feel Peck Ranch is MY conservation area LOL.

[Feathers and Fins]

Elk to me are and will always be a mystical magical animal that hold a very dear place in my heart I will never be that boy again but I hope other boys will be in that same possition and get to enjoy the Ghost. That is why i get so passionate about them.

I still go to Ponca each year to hear that sound in the mist, to me there are three sounds that will touch me so deep in my soul i get goose bumps. A Loons call, A wolfs Howl and an Elk Bugle. Some things in nature must be experienced and that bugle is certainly one.