DNR Celebrates Successful 2024 Elk Hunting Season

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – More zones were open this year, giving hunters a rare opportunity and memories as the elk population grows.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrates a successful elk hunting season. The state’s seventh managed elk hunt opened on Saturday, Oct. 12th and concluded on Dec. 20th.

The 2024 hunt represented a milestone in Wisconsin’s elk management. For the first time, hunters had the opportunity to hunt in both the Northern and Central Elk zones. Previous hunts only occurred within the Northern Elk Zone.

“It’s exciting hunters have the opportunity to pursue elk in our home state,” said Christina Kizewski, DNR Wildlife Biologist. “Each year, every hunter experiences something unique and memorable, but especially this year with the first opportunities to hunt elk in the Central Elk Zone. The fact that the population is now at a level that allows for a limited hunt underscores the successful management of Wisconsin’s healthy and growing elk herd.”

There were eight Wisconsin hunters who participated in this year’s hunt. They were randomly selected from a pool of more than 25,500 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 chose their management zone of choice during the application process.

In the Central Elk Zone, all four hunters successfully harvested a bull elk on the third day of the season. Two hunters in the Northern Elk Zone successfully harvested a bull elk, and Ojibwe Tribal hunters met their four-bull harvest declaration.

Even a 10-year-old mentored hunter was able to harvest a mature northern Wisconsin bull elk this season.

Hunters Can Apply For The 2025 Elk Hunting Season Next Spring

The DNR’s elk management is supported by the revenue received through hunter application fees, which contribute 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 in early spring and run through May 31, 2025. During the application process, hunters must select which management zone they would like to hunt in.

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