Missouri Conservation Commission seeks more information, citizen comments on elk restoration

Please contact MDC in support of restoring elk to Missouri.

http://mdc.mo.gov/contact-us/elk-restoration-comments

Commissioners say citizen interest, improved habitat and better animal health testing warrant revisiting the issue tabled 10 years ago.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO -The Missouri Conservation Commission has directed Missouri Conservation Department (MDC) staff to reinitiate plan development that would enable the agency to restore elk around Peck Ranch Conservation Area (CA) while addressing concerns raised nearly a decade ago.

At the July 16 Commission meeting in Cape Girardeau, MDC Resource Scientist Lonnie Hansen presented a report on an elk-restoration feasibility study conducted in 2000. That effort was suspended due to the emerging issue of chronic wasting disease and concerns about adequate habitat.

The Conservation Commission requested the presentation in response to inquiries from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, continued citizen inquiries and media coverage on possible elk restoration. Following the presentation, the Commission directed Department staff to reinitiate plan development, based on current information and knowledge, incorporating the following:

A well-defined elk restoration zone around Peck Ranch CA focusing on an area in Carter, Shannon and Reynolds Counties,

Established herd management guidelines, including a release protocol, population objectives and hunting as the primary management tool,

Effective health protocols, including disease testing and a contingency plan to ensure the health of domestic livestock and wildlife, and

Provisions for dealing with elk that leave the restoration zone.

The area around Peck Ranch CA was selected because it has suitable elk habitat, a high percentage of public land, low density of public roads and a limited amount of row crop and livestock production.