Apply now to hunt elk in Minnesota
Hunters have until June 17 to apply for one of seven elk licenses the Department of Natural Resources is offering this year in northwest Minnesota.
"The number of hunting licenses available is influenced by the state's elk management plan," Adam Murkowski, DNR big game program leader, said in a news release. "Our elk management programs aim to benefit our elk herds and their habitat while also minimizing conflicts with landowners."
Licenses will be available in Kittson County's central and northeast zones, while the Grygla, Minn., area again will be closed in an effort to rebuild elk populations to management goal levels.
Five bulls-only licenses will be available in the Kittson County Central Zone (Zone 20) near Lancaster, Minn., and two bulls-only licenses will be available in the Kittson County Northeast Zone (Zone 30) in the Caribou Township area.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 2016 elk season runs from Sept. 10 to Sept. 18.
In related news, a new elk management plan drafted last year for northwest Minnesota's elk herds is on hold pending the outcome of legislation in the state Legislature that would prevent the DNR from managing for increased elk numbers until the agency can show crop and fence damage caused by the animals has not increased in the past two years. The elk provision is part of the omnibus game and fish bill the Minnesota House passed Monday.
With help from local work groups that included a broad range of stakeholders, the DNR drafted a new elk management plan in 2015 that called for increasing the goal for elk populations in central Kittson County to a herd size of 65 to 75 animals, up from 20 to 30 elk in the previous management plan.
The old elk plan, drafted in 2009, expired Dec. 31.
John Williams, northwest regional wildlife supervisor for the DNR in Bemidji, said in an interview the outcome of the elk legislation will determine the final shape of the new management plan.
"I believe the body of the elk plan as drafted is largely going to stay intact," Williams told the Herald. "We're waiting to see what happens with the bill to see what we need to do with one aspect, which is elk goals, and that's a huge piece of the picture."
Info: mndnr.gov/hunting/elk and mndnr.gov/elk.
-- Brad Dokken
ADVERTISEMENT
Did you know?
• The North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society has launched a new Facebook page, "Prairie Matters," along with a blog and Instagram photo- and video-sharing account to promote native prairie and its importance to people's lives. Bill Jensen, chapter president, said the social media will focus on native species, especially those with conservation concerns; natural areas of interest; and research projects being conducted by graduate students across the state. "We're just trying to highlight what North Dakota native prairie has to offer," Jensen said. Info: prairiematters.org.
• June 1 is the deadline to apply for a 2016 North Dakota deer gun license. The deadline applies to muzzleloader, regular gun, gratis and nonresident landowner and youth antlered mule deer seasons. Info: gf.nd.gov.
• Hayes Lake, Lake Bronson and Zippel Bay state parks and Red River State Recreation Area in northwest Minnesota all have campsites remaining for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the DNR said. Info: mndnr.gov/parks.
• The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has several volunteer opportunities available this summer, including National Guard Fish Camp, June 5-8 at Camp of the Cross, Garrison, N.D.; Camp of the Cross Ministries Fish Camp, June 20-23 at Camp of the Cross, Garrison; Summer Fish Camp, Aug. 7-12 at Lakewood Bible Camp, Devils Lake; North Dakota State Fair, July 22-30, Minot; and the Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site, Bismarck, where family fishing days are Saturdays and Wednesdays from June through the end of August. Info: (701) 328-6615.
-- compiled by Brad Dokken
