What do Missourians think about restoring elk?
Successful management of Missouri’s natural resources involves partnerships with citizens, organizations and agencies. As part of the 2000 study, the Department conducted four surveys and held three public meetings to determine public opinion regarding a possible elk reintroduction. The public input received indicated that Missourians favored an experimental elk restoration program in remote areas south of the Missouri River. However, some expressed concerns about the potential for elk-vehicle accidents, disease and property damage. We are addressing those concerns. Since our directive by the Commission in July, we have been askign for public comments. The majority of comments we are getting support elk restoration in the proposed area in southeast Missouri. We held three public meeting in the communities of Van Buren, Ellington and Eminence around the proposed restoration zone in southeast Missouri. The majority of comments we received at our public meetings were in favor of elk resto
