FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 12, 2024
Contact: Christina Kizewski, DNR Central Elk Zone Biologist 
[email protected] or 715-896-3882 

Historic Elk Hunting Season Begins Oct. 12

Wisconsin's seventh elk hunting season opens Oct. 12 with expanded harvest opportunities. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrates the start of the 2024 elk hunting season on Saturday, Oct. 12. This is Wisconsin's seventh elk hunting season since the reintroduction of elk, but it also represents a milestone with the first season hunters have the opportunity to hunt in both the Northern and Central Elk Zones. Previous hunts only occurred within the Northern Elk Zone.

"Wisconsin's central elk herd has reached an exciting milestone," said Christiana Kizewski, DNR Central Elk Zone biologist. "The herd's population is now at a level that allows for a limited hunt. This underscores the successful management of Wisconsin's healthy and growing elk herd."

The DNR approved an eight-bull harvest quota for the Northern Elk Zone and a four-bull quota for the inaugural season in the Central Elk Zone. Per treaty rights, the Ojibwe tribes have declared four bulls of the eight-bull harvest quota for the Northern Elk Zone.

The eight hunters participating in the state-administered hunt were randomly selected from a pool of more than 25,000 applicants. The DNR received 17,761 applications to hunt in the Northern Elk Zone and 7,750 applications for the Central Elk Zone. The random drawing ensures that each applicant has an equal chance of selection within the respective management zones. Applicants were required to identify their management zone of choice during the elk hunting application process.

Hunters Can Apply For The 2025 Elk Hunting Season Starting in March 2025

The DNR's elk management is driven by the revenue received as a result of hunter application fees, which contributes directly to the future of the state's elk population. For each $10 application fee, $7 goes directly toward elk management, habitat restoration and research.

The 2025 elk hunt application period for Wisconsin residents is expected to open with the new license year on March 1 and run through May 31, 2025. The 2025 elk hunting season will open on Saturday, Oct. 18. Hunters must select which unit they would like to hunt during the application process.

For more information on elk in Wisconsin, visit the DNR's Elk webpage.