Minnesota Accepting Applications For Elk Hunting

(KNSI) – Applications for Minnesota’s limited elk hunting season are now being accepted.

Hunting applications will be accepted until Friday, June 11.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says there are 30 elk licenses available in 2021.

Seasons will run from late August to mid-October.

This year’s seasons are similar to last year’s, which provided hunters
with more chances to take an antlerless elk.

The DNR uses hunting as the primary tool to manage elk populations, with a focused harvest of female elk to keep populations within goal range.

Five licenses are reserved for applicants who have unsuccessfully applied for at least ten years, and five licenses are reserved for individuals who meet landowner requirements.

There are currently three recognized herds in northwestern Minnesota around Grygla, Central Kittson County, and Northeastern Kittson County, also referred to as Caribou-Vita.

Hunters can choose from three license options a license for a bull elk, an antlerless elk, or either a bull or antlerless elk.

The dates for the 2021 Minnesota elk season are:

Saturday, Aug. 28, to Sunday, Sept. 5: Five antlerless tags and two either-sex tags will be available in the Kittson Central (zone 20) zone.

Saturday, Sept. 11, to Sunday, Sept. 19: Five antlerless tags and two either-sex tags will be available in the Kittson Central (zone 20) zone, and two bull-only tags will be available in the Kittson northeast (zone 30) zone.

Saturday, Sept. 25, to Sunday, Oct. 3: Five antlerless tags and two either-sex tags will be available in the Kittson Central (zone 20) zone.

Saturday, Oct. 9, to Sunday, Oct. 17: Five antlerless tags and two either-sex tags will be available in the Kittson Central (zone 20) zone.

The Grygla and the Caribou-Vita herds remain below goal, which is why the Grygla area elk zone remains closed to hunting, and minimal permits (two bull-only licenses) are available for the Caribou-Vita zone. The limited bulls-only season is held to keep the Caribou-Vita herd wary of human presence and development.

The Kittson Central herd is predicted to be above goal, providing most of this year’s hunting opportunities.

Hunters must select the type of elk license they are applying for: bull-only (two licenses available), either-sex (eight licenses available), or antlerless-only (20 licenses available), in addition to the zone and season. Hunters may apply individually or in parties of two online or by telephone at 888-665-4236. There is a nonrefundable application fee of $5 per hunter.

Successful hunters will need to present their animal within 24 hours of harvest to register and collect biological samples to screen for diseases or other health-related issues.

More information is available on the DNR’s elk hunting page.

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