The state Conservation Commission has approved changes to Missouri’s 2026 hunting seasons that will significantly expand black bear hunting opportunities while keeping elk hunting tightly limited.
Commissioners voted to increase both the number of black bears that may be harvested and the number of permits issued during the hunting season. The move follows several years of harvest totals that have remained well below previous limits.
Missouri Department of Conservation Science Supervisor Charles Anderson told commissioners the previous 40 bear harvest quota was based on a population estimate from 2021 and no longer reflects current conditions.
“Our 2026 recommendation is to maintain the application period in May, maintain the 14 day season, increase our quota limit from 40 to 60 bears, and increase our permits from 600 to 2,000 permits,” Anderson said.
Last season, MDC issued 600 bear permits, drawing more than 5,000 applications. A total of 487 hunters participated, and just nine black bears were harvested statewide. According to MDC, 56% of those bears were taken on public land, and all were harvested with firearms.
Despite the expanded bear hunt, Missouri’s elk season will remain highly restricted. The Conservation Commission approved MDC’s recommendation to again issue just five antlered only elk hunting permits for 2026, with no antlerless permits.
MDC cervid biologist Aaron Hildreth said Missouri’s elk population remains stable to slowly growing, supporting a cautious approach.
“At this time, we do not have a decrease in population,” Hildreth said. “So, with that, our permit quota recommendations are for five antlered elk permits again this year, with at least 10% — or in this case, at least one permit — going to a qualifying resident landowner. We are not recommending an antlerless permit quota at this time.”
As with bear season, MDC will hold the elk permit application period in May, with results released to the public no later than July 1.
Hunters who draw an elk permit will be allowed to use the same permit during both the archery and firearms portions of the season.
The nine day archery elk season runs October 17 through October 25, followed by the nine day firearms season from December 12 through December 20.
MDC officials say the differing approaches to bear and elk management reflect the reality of Missouri’s wildlife populations — expanding opportunity where numbers allow, while keeping protections in place where herds remain limited.
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