The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians interested in hunting black bears and/or elk in the state this fall to apply by the end of May.

Apply by May 31 for both black-bear hunting and elk-hunting permits online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, through MDC’s free MO Hunting app, through a permit vendor or by calling 1 (800) 392-4115. There is a $10 non-refundable application fee for each application. Missouri residents 11 years of age or older by the start of the season are eligible to apply. Eligible Missourians may apply for both.

Permit selection for each permit will be determined by July 1 through a random drawing of all eligible applicants. Applicants can check to see if they have been selected for a permit by or after July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits by logging into “Manage Your Account” and selecting “View My Special Hunt History.”

Those selected to receive a permit must have their hunter-education certification or be exempt by age (born before January 1, 1967) before they may purchase the permit. The bear-hunting permit is $25. The elk-hunting permit is $50. All permits are nontransferable.

MDC will be offering 400 permits for the state’s first black-bear hunting season this coming fall, October 18-27. The maximum total harvest for the season will be 40 bears in three designated areas of southern Missouri called Black Bear Management Zones (BMZ).

MDC has designated a nine-day archery portion for elk hunting October 16-24 and a nine-day firearms portion December 11-19. The five permits will be for bull elk and will be valid for both portions.