Arkansas elk hunting season will continue despite wasting disease

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission plans to continue with the state's annual elk hunting season despite the presence of chronic wasting disease found in some elk.

In a news release Friday, the commission said it will start accepting online permit applications starting Sunday and accept them through June 1.

Brad Carner, the commission's chief of wildlife management, said continuing the hunt this year will allow the state to test elk taken during the season for chronic wasting disease as well as brain worms and other diseases. He said testing during last year's hunt identified the disease in the state.

The commission will decide how many hunting permits, a private land elk quota and the exact dates of the season at its June 16 meeting.

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