Elk/Bear Draw in Missouri

[fishinwrench]

If MDC needs to raise some money, I'd gladly give them 500.00 to STOP stocking hybrid stripers.   And I'd give them another 500.00 to stop wasting money with Spoonbill. 

I'd throw them 1000.00 to properly police the Gigging of non-suckers.  And I'd throw another 1000.00 to them if they'd uphold their deal on the White Ribbon trout areas like they are supposed to..     

And I'd pay that 3k annually just to keep them steady at it.   

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

2 hours ago, Devan S. said:

I don't know about the bear deal....didn't put in for it but I did the elk. 

 

Thought it would be cool to be the first group to kill elk. That being said the fee is what rubbed me the wrong way. Its only open to in-state hunters and has no bearings on later "Draws" other than if you're picked you can't win again right away. I pay my fair share of taxes along the way and still buy deer tags even though I qualify for landowner and often don't kill a deer. I believe in funding the department even if I don't agree with every expenditure they make. 

That being said.....19,000+ signed up for the first elk hunt @ $10 that is $190K for nothing. I hope it pays 2 or 3 MDC wages but I bet it ultimately doesn't. Personally I think the fee for the tag after the fact is a joke for 5 total elk killed. 

It wasn't/isn't about the $10 most of us easily blow that in day on stuff we want; its the premise for me. Honestly if I got a preference point(even though it wouldn't really increase my statistical odds) or a hat or a pin or something tangible I'd be more forgiving. 

It doesn't at all change how I feel about daily fees, tag costs, ect about the normal options residents get. I am thankful that MDC is funded top 5 in the country in funding and the state takes reasonable care of its residents. I would personally like to see lifetime tags come down in price and the out of state tags go up but everyone can find something to complain about. 

I agree with the last paragraph totally.   But the $190k, that was a 1 time deal. 

Maybe that went to pay back for the costs of marketing the hunt.   For the administrative costs of operating the lottery.  While yes, it could pay for 3 agents, they would only be employed for 1 year. 

 I chose not to participate.  But I cant be upset about the money used.  ( not saying you, or anyone else is).  

I believe we have it great in Missouri.  We have many opportunities and the bear lottery is just another one.  Really, when I think about it, I'm pretty happy it was $10.00.  It sure gave most every one a fair shot at being able to hunt a bear!  That is pretty cool.  I've paid more for raffle tickets for less of an opportunity.  

 

[Devan S.]

8 hours ago, Daryk Campbell Sr said:

I agree with the last paragraph totally.   But the $190k, that was a 1 time deal. 

 

Except it wasn't.....they did it again this year.....and my assumption is they will do it into perpetuity.

9,000+ this year so they made $90k instead of $190k.  

[oneshot]

I was drawn for Management Deer Hunt last year but didn’t go because of my health.

So dumb old me wasted $10 for drawing on Elk Tag.

oneshot

[nomolites]

I gladly forked over my $10 for the chance, and it makes me smile.  I will continue as long as I’m capable physically to stalk and pack out a bull.  Been paying more for years to CO for preference points and tags….I just love me some elk, as food as well as the challenging aspects of prepping for and executing a hunt.  May never draw in MO, but I will continue try.

Mike

[Seth]

I didn't apply for bear as hunting them doesn't do much for me, but I'll always throw in $10 for elk. I've blown $10 on less. Considering it runs me about $1500-2000 for trip to Colorado just to shoot a cow, that $10 is a drop in the bucket for the chance to hunt a bull locally. You can go elk hunting every year out west if you want to fork out the $$$, but I'm guessing you'll b*tch about that too if you're griping about $10.

We spend thousands chasing game and fish and you're going to cry about $10? Really? If it bothers you that much then don't participate! I swear people just have to be griping about something to be happy.

[BilletHead]

9 hours ago, Seth said:

I didn't apply for bear as hunting them doesn't do much for me, but I'll always throw in $10 for elk. I've blown $10 on less. Considering it runs me about $1500-2000 for trip to Colorado just to shoot a cow, that $10 is a drop in the bucket for the chance to hunt a bull locally. You can go elk hunting every year out west if you want to fork out the $$$, but I'm guessing you'll b*tch about that too if you're griping about $10.

We spend thousands chasing game and fish and you're going to cry about $10? Really? If it bothers you that much then don't participate! I swear people just have to be griping about something to be happy.

            Oh I have spent plenty of bucks out west in Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota and Colorado for guaranteed  hunting tags for wild game. Fishing in New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Ontario. Between The wife and I we spend lots of bucks for many years and even yearly out of state licenses in a few places. None of these are cheap. 

    So you and a couple others call me out for griping one saying I am making a big deal out of this un necessary? FOR STOCKED NOT WILD Practically TAME ELK? Really think about what you said. Right now you might as well do a high fence canned hunt. This may change someday and I hope it does, really I hope it will.   I will also add some of you go to trout parks and brag about numbers of daily stocked fish. If you target old wise big fish I understand but just think about it would ya?

 Along time ago on the hunting but the fishing 18 plus years. 

[Seth]

14 hours ago, BilletHead said:

            Oh I have spent plenty of bucks out west in Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota and Colorado for guaranteed  hunting tags for wild game. Fishing in New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Ontario. Between The wife and I we spend lots of bucks for many years and even yearly out of state licenses in a few places. None of these are cheap. 

    So you and a couple others call me out for griping one saying I am making a big deal out of this un necessary? FOR STOCKED NOT WILD Practically TAME ELK? Really think about what you said. Right now you might as well do a high fence canned hunt. This may change someday and I hope it does, really I hope it will.   I will also add some of you go to trout parks and brag about numbers of daily stocked fish. If you target old wise big fish I understand but just think about it would ya?

 Along time ago on the hunting but the fishing 18 plus years. 

I've bow hunted Peck Ranch many years so yes, I know how tame those elk can be. I'll post some pics down below. You know what though? It's still elk meat, which is my favorite type of venison. If we could go shoot a high fenced cow for cheaper than going out west, we'd probably do it. It'd be more like buying a beef than going on an elk hunt, but the meat is still going to be amazing. I guess if you're all about the sport and not the meat then it may not be your thing. If I have a chance at some cheap elk meat then count me in!

I'm still saving my elk and mulie points up for a good Colorado hunt. Right now I'm at 14 for both. I can't wait to finally use those up one of these days.

[Seth]

Trout parks are convenient, but I'd rather go to Taneycomo any day. Trout park lunkers are a joke. I've caught several and they never fight. Taney gives me the option to go beat to go beat on fresh stockers if I want or chase the older, wiser fish. Here's a few of the ones we caught during a few January and February trips. They came during Lilleys tournaments or while fun fishing just before them.

[BilletHead]

2 minutes ago, Seth said:

I've bow hunted Peck Ranch many years so yes, I know how tame those elk can be. You know what though? It's still elk meat, which is my favorite type of venison. If we could go shoot a high fenced cow for cheaper than going out west, we'd probably do it. It'd be more like buying a beef than going on an elk hunt, but the meat is still going to be amazing. I guess if you're all about the sport and not the meat then it may not be your thing. If I have a chance at some cheap elk meat then count me in!

These elk are in the refuge portion and not huntable. The elk hunt takes place outside of the refuge and the elk numbers are far less outside of this portion.

                 Oh again I get it Seth and I hope Elk make a comeback and become wild. Right now It will be like hunting in a national park. Yes I like the meat too. I spent bucks myself for big and small game but do you and others do it for the challenge or experience? I did and had lots of times not coming back with game. Bow hunting only, no high powered rifles. You and others know for what we all spend to chase and take a chance of coming home with game we could purchase meat cheaper. 

         So is it right to call us that do not want to participate cheap or making it a big deal for voicing our opinion?   Do I think it is silly for guys to spend so much money in boats and chasing minnows in places all over the country to catch and release? Heck no do what you like and like what you do. Heck I do similar things and spend way much more.  Some of my best trips have been unsuccessful.