Bear hunter discovers elk killed by archer — a historic first, Missouri officials say

For the first time ever last year, Missouri allowed hunters with a special permit to harvest elk. Part of the season was limited to archery methods, and the second half allowed for firearm hunting.

The five hunters selected had close sightings, the Lake Sun Leader reported at the time, but no archer found themselves close enough to shoot during the archery portion of the season.

This year, another five hunters were selected from 9,714 applications. One of those hunters was Chris Irick, of Pleasant Hope.

Irick became the first bowhunter to harvest an elk in Missouri’s “modern elk hunting history,” wildlife officials shared in a Tuesday afternoon Facebook post. He did so in Shannon County on Oct. 18, the third day of Missouri’s elk-hunting season.

But Irick’s story of the successful hunt has what conservation experts called an “ironic twist.” Following Irick’s hit, he was not the first to find the elk.

Rather, it was a bear hunter who spotted the slain animal then “promptly reported it to local conservation agents,” according to the Facebook post.

When a conservation agent responded, he could hear Irick yelling, but he wasn’t able to see him at first. That’s because the archer was up in a tree, about 16 feet high, trying to get cell service so he could report his 6-by-6 bull elk to the state.

Fortunately, with cool overnight temperatures, the elk’s meat was still suitable for harvesting.

“Missouri’s second elk season 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 landowners,” the state said.

The archery portion of Missouri’s season continues until Oct. 24. The season will then resumefor its firearms segment from Dec. 11-19.



Only those with an elk hunting permit are allowed to hunt elk in Missouri.

This story was originally published October 19, 2021 at 5:16 PM with the headline "Bear hunter discovers elk killed by archer — a historic first, Missouri officials say."