JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Fall in the Missouri outdoors offers some wonderful wildlife viewing for the hundreds of thousands of hunters in the field, along with many hikers, wildlife watchers, and others.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) asks hunters and others to report sightings of key animal species they see when outdoors. They include elk, black bears, mountain lions, and rare furbearers — badgers, least weasels, long-tailed weasels, and spotted skunks – along with invasive feral hogs. Report Wildlife Sightings online at mdc.mo.gov/wildlife/report-wildlife-sightings.
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Elk can be found in portions of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties and are occasionally seen in other areas of the state. Get images and more information online at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/elk.
Most black bears are found south of the Missouri River but wandering individuals have been seen as far north as the Iowa border. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/american-black-bear.
There is no evidence of a breeding population, but there have been more than 100 confirmed sightings of mountain lions scattered statewide. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/mountain-lion.
Badgers can be found statewide but are seen most in areas with sandier soils near major stream systems. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/american-badger.
Least weasels are typically found in northern counties, the bottom of their home range. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/least-weasel.
Long-tailed weasels can be found statewide. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/long-tailed-weasel.
Spotted skunks were once found statewide with recent sightings being from the southern Ozarks. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/plains-spotted-skunk.
Invasive feral hogs could potentially be found anywhere in Missouri, but most established populations are in the southern third of the state. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/feral-hog-feral-swine.
For more information on Missouri wildlife species, visit the MDC online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide.