Wisconsin DNR Planning for 4th Elk Hunt

Friday, March 12th, 2021 -- 8:09 AM

(WBAY) If you dream of harvesting an elk in Wisconsin this year, you have until the end of May to apply.

The DNR is now in the planning stages for the 4th elk hunt in state history next fall.  Elk re-introduction in the state is a success story that continues to grow.

From 25 original transplanted elk in 1995, to more than 300 today in Northern Wisconsin and another 100 in Central Wisconsin, the herd is growing at a rate of 5-10 percent a year.

That growth allowed the DNR to offer a limited hunt the last three years with a quota of 10 bull elk per year, consisting of 5 Wisconsin hunters receiving tags, and 5 going to Native American tribes.

In 2020, more than 28,000 hunters applied, and seven out of every ten dollars from the application fee goes back to elk management.  Harvest quotas for next fall will be established later this spring.

The DNR is also currently working on the next 10 year elk management plan, with the long-term goal of 1,400 elk in Northern Wisconsin and 350 in Central Wisconsin.  The more elk, the more hunting opportunities in the future.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.