MDC announces five hunters drawn for elk permits

Bill Clark of Van Buren, Joseph Benthall of Mount Vernon,
Michael Buschjost of St Thomas,
Samuel Schultz of Winfield,
and Eugene Guilkey of Liberty
were each drawn for a hunting permit to harvest
one antlered elk during Missouri’s
first elk season in modern history this fall

Five Missourians drawn were among 19,215 applications to hunt antlered elk this fall.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering Missourians the state’s first elk-hunting season in modern history starting this October. For the inaugural season, MDC will issue one permit each to five lucky Missourians randomly drawn from 19,215 permit applications, including 33 for one resident-landowner antlered-elk permit and 19,182 for four general permits.

The five lucky applicants drawn for a permit to harvest one antlered elk in Missouri this fall are:

• Bill Clark of Van Buren, who was drawn for the resident-landowner antlered-elk permit.
• Joseph Benthall of Mount Vernon, who was drawn for an antlered-elk general permit.
• Michael Buschjost of St. Thomas, who was drawn for an antlered-elk general permit.
• Samuel Schultz of Winfield, who was drawn for an antlered-elk general permit.
• Eugene Guilkey of Liberty, who was drawn for an antlered-elk general permit.

Each of the five can purchase their elk-hunting permit starting July 1 for a cost of $50. The five hunters can then each harvest one bull elk that has at least one antler being a minimum of six inches long. The five hunters may hunt using archery methods Oct. 17-25 and firearms methods Dec. 12-20. Each permit is valid for both the archery and firearms portions of the elk-hunting season.

The resident landowner permit will be used by Clark on his 80 acres east of Peck Ranch Conservation Area. The four general permits may be used within Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties excluding the refuge portion of Peck Ranch.

Learn more about elk hunting in Missouri online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/elk.

Elk are a native species in Missouri but were hunted to extinction in the state through unregulated hunting during the late 1800s. Missouri’s first pending elk hunt this fall comes after years of restoration efforts of the native species by MDC, numerous partners including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and many supporters including local communities and area landowners. Learn more about elk restoration in Missouri at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZYJ.

More on Those Drawn

Bill Clark of Van Buren, 78, is a life-long hunter of deer, turkey, and small game. He has also pursued elk in Colorado and Wyoming in the 1990s. He and his family own 80 acres east of Peck Ranch Conservation Area where they conduct timber-stand improvements on the heavily forested property and also plant clover and native grasses for elk and other wildlife.

Clark says he applied for the elk hunt because he supports MDC’s elk restoration and management efforts, wildlife management in general, and wants to help the herd by thinning a bull. He adds that he frequently sees elk on his property and has noticed an increase in local tourism since elk first arrived in the area in 2011, including an uptick in elk driving tours at Peck Ranch.

Joseph Benthall of Mount Vernon, 37, has been deer hunting off and on for 25 years and has not hunted elk before. He says he applied for the Missouri opportunity because he has wanted to hunt elk but has not had the time or money for a trip out west. He adds that he will only be rifle hunting.

Michael Buschjost of St. Thomas, 39, says he is, “Pretty darn excited to draw this tag!” His passion is bowhunting and he has hunted elk in Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming with two bulls and a cow elk harvested from those efforts.

He says he is excited to take his three kids with him to scout the area before the season opens. “I’m really looking forward to being part of this first hunt,” says Buschjost. “A ton of work has been done on MDC’s part to make this happen.”

Samuel Schultz of Winfield, 42, has been hunting for 30 years and he mostly hunts deer and turkey. He has hunted small game in the past, done some trapping, and loves to fish as well. He has hunted elk before in Colorado back in the early 2000s and says he was fortunate enough to harvest a 6x6 bull with his bow on a self-guided hunt.

“I love that MDC brought elk back to Missouri and I can't wait for the opportunity to hunt them,” Schultz says.

Eugene Guilkey of Liberty, 59, has lived most of his life in northwest Missouri and has hunted since his youth. Guilkey says he plans to hunt both portions and will use a crossbow during the archery portion. He adds that he will mainly use the archery portion to scout for the rifle portion.

“Growing up in Missouri, I used to hunt rabbit, squirrel, quail, and dove, along with deer and turkey. I have never hunted elk,” Guilkey says. “I suppose the cost of a trip like that kept me from pursuing that dream. I also battled cancer last year, and during my battle and recovery, I found an elk-hunting show on television that only hunts public land. I thought perhaps one day I could do that… and now I can! At this time last year, I was given the news I had cancer. Now, a year later, I’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime! Thank you for the chance!”

Guilkey adds that he never wins any drawings. “When MDC contacted me via email, I was at work,” he recalls. “I literally jumped out of my chair screaming I had won! My coworkers thought I had lost my marbles! My family and I were almost in shock and disbelief! Since that day, I’ve thought of almost nothing else in my spare time… lodging, scouting, learning to call elk, gear… I’m like a kid at Christmas!”

MDC seeks info about poached bull elk found at Current River

MDC is investigating the death of a bull elk that appears to have been shot and had its skull plate and antlers removed.

SHANNON COUNTY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is investigating a dead bull elk recently found along the Current River in Shannon County and asks the public to report any related information to the Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-392-1111.

According to MDC preliminary information, the elk appears to have been shot and the skull plate and antlers were removed with a chainsaw. The rest of the carcass was left intact.

Conservation agents were informed of the dead elk on Tuesday, Dec. 29, by a hiker on an area along the Current River. MDC agents went to the location and confirmed the report.

MDC staff have transported the carcass to the Department’s Conservation Research Center in Columbia for further investigation, including a necropsy, which is an autopsy of an animal.

Any and all information that could assist in this investigation is welcomed by MDC. Calls can be made to local MDC agents or to the Operation Game Thief hotline. Information can be given anonymously or a name maybe be given for a possible reward of up to $1,000 in the case of criminal activity.

The dead bull elk was one of approximately 130 animals that are part of the Department’s elk restoration and management efforts. The remaining elk can be seen at the Department’s Current River Conservation Area and Peck Ranch Conservation Area in the Missouri Ozarks. Learn more about Missouri’s elk at mdc.mo.gov/node/10141.

Related articles

• Experts share wildlife habitat tips at month-long seminar (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

MDC’s Cape Nature Center hosts evening elk program

Pair this Nature Center program with a self-guided driving tour for a fall elk experience.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Elk will be the focus of the November Nature Center at Night event at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center Nov. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. Elk were restored to the Missouri Ozarks in 2011, so it’s important for Missourians to learn how biologists are managing the herd, according to MDC naturalist Angela Pierce.

“We’re proud to have brought elk back to our state,” said Pierce. “We’ll learn all about elk and talk about how our population is doing.”

Elk will be the focus of the November Nature Center at Night event at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center Nov. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. (MDC photo)

Plentiful before European settlement, elk disappeared from Missouri by 1865. In July 2010, the Conservation Commission directed the Department to reinstate plans to restore elk to a specified zone in the Ozarks with plentiful habitat.

“We hope folks will stop by and learn about these large amazing animals,” Pierce said.

Naturalist led programs will begin at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Youth and adult groups are welcome to attend this free program.

Pierce added this Nature Center at Night event would make a perfect preview for those who might consider taking the MDC’s self-guided driving tour at Peck Ranch Conservation Area where the elk reside. Peck Ranch is located near Winona in Shannon County. The driving tour is open sunrise to sunset seven days a week (except during calving season April 1 to July 1, managed deer hunts, fall firearms deer season, and in the event roads are closed due to weather). The autumn is a great time to take the tour as the bulls are bugling to attract harems of cows.

For more information on programs at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center go online to mdc.mo.gov/CapeNatureCenter. For more information about the self-guided driving tour at Peck Ranch CA, go online to http://mdc.mo.gov/node/15985.

Elk and Opportunity in Carter and Shannon Counties

I am a little late updating the current status of the Peck Ranch restoration effort in Missouri, but I kind of wanted to see how things were settling out with the newest group of elk that had been brought over from Kentucky, and also to see how things shook out after the MDC had to put down one of the elk that had wandered quite a ways out of the elk restoration zone.

First, the good news. Additional elk have been added to the herd at Peck Ranch and are doing quite well. These majestic creatures that once thrived in Missouri, even at times and in certain locales outnumbering bison, are being given another chance.  Of course these are not the descendants of the same elk that graced the land, but it seems right and fitting that they take their place once again where their species once roamed.

There has been a certain reluctance by some who inhabit the region to be accepting of the return of elk to their area.  It is akin to a population that many generations ago drove out another group of people, and though now their consciences convict them that they should make room for those displaced, realize that there may be some cost to obeying their conscience. Similar stories are repeated where bear, wolves, mountain lions, and other native species are re-introduced.

The analogy related above only serves to illustrate this scenario partially.  First, elk are not people.  It could be argued that, since most believe the needs of humanity are elevated above those of the animal world, we have less responsibility to allow them where they may not be welcomed by some.  The other side of the coin is that animals have less capacity to relocate as they have no capacity to modify the environment in which they dwell.  Humans can go anywhere today and exist at some level via technology and human ingenuity. But what is missed by either of these two arguments is the incredible value the re-introduction of these animals brings to the people of the region and to us all.

The folks that live down in the Ozarks have an aversion to government interfering in their lives, or so they say.  It should be noted that a huge percentage of people in the area around Peck Ranch derive their income, either directly or indirectly, from the government they criticize. The per capita expenditure by the federal government alone in Carter County, where most of Peck is located, was in 2004 approximately $7500 per year, totaling nearly $48 million.  In 2005, 20% of the employed population was in fact employed by a government entity.  Given that the average income of employed residents of Carter County was about $32,000, the $7500 per capita expenditure (again, federal government alone), represents a meaningful portion of the cash flow of the county.  In other words, were the area residents to get what they profess to want, they would be plunged into a state of abject poverty.  In fact, as the Missouri Department of Conservation began to explore reintroducing elk to Peck, local residents were immediately involved in the process.  

Public forums were held throughout the counties to be impacted and the concerns of area residents were taken into account.  Landowners were assured that wandering elk would be relocated if they were not desired on their land.  Stipulations were put into place so that if elk wandered from the 220,000 acre restoration zone, the elk would be removed.  Application of this rule, in fact, resulted recently in the unfortunate end of one of the elk originally brought to Peck.

The elk of Peck have occasionally strayed outside their restoration zone briefly.  Last month a resident of Ripley County, south of Carter and Shannon Counties, reported an elk that had wandered almost to the Arkansas border.  The MDC made every effort to tranquilize the animal for transport back to Peck, and when this failed the animal was shot.  Ironically, there was criticism of the MDC's decision to kill this elk in adherence to the plan area residents had insisted upon. The MDC undoubtedly was sensitive to the thought that they must demonstrate to area residents that they would adhere to the plan agreed to when they chose to put this animal down.  

As this example shows, the MDC has and will continue to assure area residents that the elk will not be allowed to spread beyond the restoration zone, or to impact crops in the region.  The MDC did a marvelous job of showing statistical evidence that elk were far less likely to be involved in collisions with traffic than deer - this was another stated concern of area residents. Finally, the MDC has gone way out of its way to address the concerns of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and continues to monitor for it.  This concern, in fact delayed the elk program for several years.  So, in the mind of this author, the important concerns of the area residents have in fact been adequately addressed.

What seems to be missing from the region in a broad sense, is a strategy for capturing the benefits of the inflow of visitors to the region.  Whether these visitors are Current River, Jacks Fork, or Eleven Point River floaters; whether they are the throngs of hunters that arrive in the Fall; or the many fishermen who utilize the beautiful spring-fed waters of the region, too many dollars are missed out on by the region's inhabitants.  The elk restoration project represents one more jewel to place in the crown of this region.  

For those who have not witnessed the beauty of an elk in the wild or heard its bugle from afar, it is hard to describe the majesty of these creatures.  Area residents, as Peck begins to welcome visitors after the elk have made their transition, should make every effort to make a trek on the nice roads through the fenced portion of the refuge.  The chance for the sighting of one of these beautiful animals, or a resident black bear, or even the many deer that inhabit the area, is well worth the effort of going.  Moreover, instead of resisting the relocation effort, I cannot for the life of me understand why towns like Eminence and Van Buren are not wrestling over the title of "The Elk Capitol of Missouri".  Why were there not signs placed on every highway entering Shannon and Carter Counties with murals depicting the opportunities for fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and the bear, deer, trout, smallmouth bass, and now elk that, along with the charm of the Ozark hills make this region so nearly perfect?  

Peck Ranch and the Ozarks have represented a meaningful part of the life of the author of this blog and his two sons as they grew from little boys to men.  We treasure memories like hunting and fishing trips, the swimming in Rocky Falls plunge pool, and the awakening to the midnight howls of coyotes as we camped in our one man tents nestled under the mature pine grove of rustic Peck Ranch campground.  It brings me a feeling of contentment to understand that a dad trying to raise his sons or daughters in tune with the outdoors of Missouri, can now add to the symphony of coyotes, the bugle of an elk.

Missouri Elk Restoration - Bringing Them Back Video from MDC

Elk Restoration Effort Moves Forward in Missouri

Courtesy MDC

Related articles

• RMEF helping restore elk in Missouri, Virginia (sports.espn.go.com)
• Outside the Parks (fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com)

Appalachian Wildlife Foundation pledges support for MO elk restoration

Image via Wikipedia

Foundation is raising funds and offering expertise for Missouri elk restoration efforts.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Appalachian Wildlife Foundation (AWF) recently entered into an agreement that establishes a framework for cooperative efforts between the two organizations and a commitment by the AWF to assist in funding the reintroduction of elk in southern Missouri.

Under the agreement, the MDC and AWF will work together to restore elk to the indentified restoration zone in southern Missouri. The MDC acknowledges that the AWF is working to raise a minimum of $50,000 towards the costs associated with the capture, disease testing, transport, radio collaring and initial monitoring of elk in Missouri. The MDC and AWF will also collaborate to develop a long-term conservation plan for elk in Missouri, in concert with other entities, through a working group established by the MDC.

“We look forward to the opportunity to partner with the Appalachian Wildlife Foundation as we move to restore elk in Shannon, Carter and Reynolds counties in southeast Missouri,” wrote MDC Director Bob Ziehmer in a letter to the AWF.

“As you know, Missourians are connected to the land and value the great natural resources of this state,” wrote Ziehmer. “This dedication to natural resources, firm commitment to conservation heritage, and history of restoration of native species provides citizens with a rich conservation legacy. The partnership between the Appalachian Wildlife Foundation and the Department of Conservation will be another historic chapter in the history of conservation in Missouri.”

The Missouri Conservation Commission approved the MDC plan to restore elk at its October meeting. The plan calls for releasing up to 150 wild elk in a 346-square-mile (221,509 acres) elk restoration zone in parts of Shannon, Carter and Reynolds counties. The Conservation Department selected this limited restoration zone because of extensive public lands, suitable habitat, low road density, minimal agricultural activity and landowner support. The plan includes health protocols, herd management guidelines and habitat management recommendations. Releases of elk could begin as soon as early 2011.

The MDC is also in discussions with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other conservation organizations regarding cooperative efforts and funding support.

Elk restoration programs in Arkansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have successfully restored limited elk populations with economic benefits through wildlife viewing and hunting. 

Elk are native to the Show-Me State but were gone by the mid-1800s, due to unregulated hunting and habitat changes. 

The elk restoration plan is available at www.MissouriConservation.org.

Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Information for Experienced and Not-so-Experienced Outdoors People:

Family-Outdoors

MDC to hold public meetings on potential elk restoration

MDC will hold meetings in counties around restoration zone and is seeking public comment.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – As part of its efforts to obtain public input regarding potential elk restoration in a limited area of Carter, Reynolds and Shannon counties, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will hold the following public meetings:

Monday, Aug. 23, 5-8 p.m. – Van Buren High School Cafeteria, 202 W. College

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 5-8 p.m. – Eminence High School “Old” Gym, 1 Redwing Drive

Thursday, Aug. 26, 5-8 p.m. – Ellington High School Multi-Purpose Room, 1 School St.

“The successful management of Missouri’s fish, forests and wildlife, including possible elk restoration, involves partnerships with citizens, organizations and other agencies,” said MDC Director Bob Ziehmer. “We value public input and are gathering public comments as we work to develop an elk restoration plan for the Conservation Commission."  

In addition to the public meetings, the MDC is seeking written comments by Oct. 1. Comments can be emailed to www.mdc.mo.gov/contact-us under “Elk Restoration Comments” or mailed to Missouri Department of Conservation, Director’s Office, PO Box 180, Jefferson City MO 65102-0180.

The MDC is considering elk restoration for several reasons, including requests to restore the once-native species, the ecological benefits from native-species restoration and economic benefits to Missouri through tourism and hunting.

Elk once ranged throughout Missouri. Over-harvest and habitat destruction eliminated this native species from the state by the late 1800s.

Prompted by requests from Missourians and conservation organizations, the MDC conducted a feasibility study on elk restoration in 2000. The study identified an area in the Ozarks around the Peck Ranch Conservation Area as a potential restoration zone. The zone, covering parts of Carter, Shannon and Reynolds counties, has suitable habitat, high public-land ownership, low road densities and limited agriculture activity.

Due to disease and habitat concerns, the Commission suspended the Department’s consideration of an elk restoration in 2001, and directed staff to facilitate additional discussion to determine if concerns regarding elk restoration could be addressed to the satisfaction of citizens.

Renewed interest from citizens and conservation organizations, along with elk restoration success in other states, recently prompted the Commission to revisit the topic. Following a period of public comment ending Oct. 1, MDC staff will present a proposed elk restoration plan to the Commission at its meeting Oct. 15 in Jefferson City.

Ziehmer noted that key points about the MDC’s efforts to restore elk in Missouri are:

·        Elk is a native species to Missouri, and restoring native species holds many benefits.

·        Elk restoration will be limited to a targeted restoration zone in southeast Missouri.

·        Elk restoration will include herd-management guidelines, with hunting as the primary tool to maintain an appropriate population.

·        Elk restoration will include health protocols, such as disease testing, to ensure the health of domestic livestock and other wildlife.

·        Elk restoration will include plans for dealing with elk that wander where they are not welcome.

·        Elk restoration in other states has provided resource and economic benefits.

Additional information on the MDC’s proposed elk restoration efforts can be found online at www.missouriconservation.org by searching “elk restoration.”

-Joe Jerek -


Visit Family-Outdoors for Missouri Hunting and Fishing Information