Elk drawing sees 19,215 applicants

If you applied for an elk hunting permit in Missouri last month and had high hopes of getting a coveted tag, it’s time to face reality: you’re going to need an awful lot of luck when it comes time for the drawing.

The resident-only drawing saw 19,182 applications for four general permits. Another 33 landowners applied for the single landowner permit to be doled out, for a grand total of 19,215 hopeful hunters.

That means, for general permit applicants, there’s a 0.0002% chance of getting drawn, and for landowners, a much more respectable 0.03% chance.

In other words, it may be a bit premature to go buy that new large-caliber rifle you’ve been eyeing lately.

“In some ways it’s hard to have an expectation of what you’re going to get, but we’re pleased with the strong interest from Missourians,” said MDC deer and elk biologist Aaron Hildreth. “Honestly, I think it was pretty well right about what we expected.

“When we put regulations into place, we have to make fiscal notes, and I want to say that we based our fiscal note on somewhere between 20,000 and 25,000” applicants.

The results of the random computerized drawing will be posted on the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov on July 1, but I sure wouldn’t lose any sleep over it until then.

Trap Results

More than 50 shooters turned out for last weekend’s ATA registered trap shoot at the Poplar Bluff Gun Club.

The day’s High Gun winner was Brayden Tarantino, and the runner-up was Jayden Dalton.

In singles competition, the high overall winner was Tarantino. Dylan Hale won the junior division, and Tayler Hillis won the ladies’ division. In the sub-junior division, Dalton was the winner.

Garret Cooper earned the win in A Class, while Ely Baltz won B Class, Seth Ladd won C Class and Aaryon Vaughn won D Class.

In doubles’ competition, the high overall shooter was Austin Stoner. In the junior division, Cooper took the win, and in the ladies’ division, Jasa Reed was the winner.

In the sub-junior division, Chet Orick earned the win.

In the 19-21.5 yard competition, Tarantino captured the win, and in the 22-24.5 yard division, Reed was the champion.

In handicaps’ competition, Dalton was the high overall shooter, while Baltz won the junior division and Vaughn won the ladies’ division.

Orick won the sub-junior division, while Tarantino won in the 19-21.5 yard division and Reed won the 22-24.5 yard division.

The next scheduled ATA shoot at the Poplar Bluff Gun Club is set for July 18.

Tourney Winners

The water was still a little on the high side, but anglers in Saturday’s Current River Smallmouth Association tournament at Van Buren had a stellar day.

The event saw 22 teams compete, with every one bringing a five-fish limit to the weigh-in, and the top weights were very close.

At the end of the day, the team of McAfee and Rutledge came away as the winner, hauling 11.84 pounds to the weigh-in.

Second place went to Nicholson and Nicholson with 11.77 pounds, while third place was earned by Watson and Taylor with 11.29 pounds.

Leach and Powell grabbed the fourth spot with 11.14 pounds, and fifth went to Dougherty and Sisco with 10.97 pounds.

The day’s big bass was caught by Dylan Watson and tipped the scales at 4.16 pounds, while the second-largest fish, caught by Leach and Powell, weighed 3.72 pounds.

The Current River Smallmouth Association will fish again on June 13, when it hosts its annual His and Hers Tournament based out of Van Buren.

Good Fishing

Fishing elsewhere remains good, especially if you can find stable water.

Crappie, bass, catfish - they’ve all been biting well lately.

Catfish should be close to spawning, so fishing the shallows in the early mornings or late evenings should produce well.

With a full moon Friday, bluegills should be making another attempt at spawning. Finding them in shallow water, with a sandy or gravel bottom, shouldn’t be too difficult, and the catching should be easy. As with any spawning fish, keeping fish in moderation is probably best.

Free Fishing Days

Don’t forget, this weekend is Free Fishing Days in Missouri.

That means you can fish across the state without needing a fishing permit.

All other regulations, including length limits and daily keep limits, still will be enforced.