Why consider restoring elk to Missouri?
We are proposing elk restoration to a limited area covering parts of three southeast Missouri counties for several reasons: 1. Elk are native to Missouri and restoring and managing appropriate native species is part of our purpose. We are nationally respected for our expertise in wildlife management and for our successes in native-species restoration, such as deer and turkey. (Unlike the statewide success of deer and wild turkey restoration, our proposed elk restoration will be limited to a designated restoration zone in southeast Missouri.) 2. Missourians and conservation groups have expressed ongoing interest in elk restoration in Missouri; 3. Restoring elk will benefit local communities in southeast Missouri and also the state through hunting and tourism; and 4. Elk restoration in this limited area covering parts of Carter, Reynolds and Shannon counties is compatible with both human activities and other wildlife. This “restoration zone” consists mostly of public land, has suitable h
