There are now four eastern and mid-western states that offer hunting for wild, free-ranging elk. Although Michigan has restricted its elk hunting program to residents, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Kentucky all allow nonresidents to participate. The other states mentioned above are still growing their elk herds and are not ready to open a hunting season.
Let's get back to the three states you can hunt as a nonresident. Arkansas' elk herd is estimated at about 450 animals in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) awards about 26 public-land elk hunting permits each year. In 2007, 7,000 people applied for those permits, and two other hunters won permits at Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation events. Most of the permits issued are for bull elk. There are two hunt periods, one in late September and another in early December. Hunts take place on public lands along the Buffalo National River and in the Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area, as well as adjacent private lands. The application period is May 1-31, and the fee is $35. Download an application from the AGFC web site. All you need if you are drawn is a nonresident hunting license. The All Game license costs $300 and allows you to take deer and turkey as well. A five-day license........(continued)
