SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – Missouri Department of Conservation officials say
residents may see a limited elk hunt in 2020 if the state’s elk herd continues
to grow.
Department wildlife biologist Aaron Hildreth tells the Springfield News-Leader
that there are about 170 adult elks living in the Peck Ranch Conservation Area.
Hildreth says a limited hunting season could be used to stop the herd from
getting too large if three criteria are met. There needs to be at least 200
elks, the elk herd has a growth rate of at least 10 percent for three
consecutive years and there’s a ratio of 25 bull elk for every 100 females to
ensure herd growth.
Hildreth says the herd may reach the 200-elk goal sometime in the next two
years.
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