Read this important notice
Elk seasons are closed. Information on this page and pages linked to it applies to 2024 seasons and is outdated.
Details for 2025 lottery and seasons will be available soon.
View lottery and license dates and hunting dates on the hunting and trapping seasons page.
News & notices
Lottery results available
Winner postcards have been sent but you can search to see if you were selected for one of this fall's elk hunts. Have your DNR number or driver's license number handy.
Elk & deer identification
Individual elk are beginning to appear in a wider geographic area outside of their range. Make sure you know the difference between deer and elk in the field.
Landowner licenses
A limited number of landowners in Minnesota's elk range can apply for this hunt. Review the requirements and instructions on the landowner elk hunting page.
2024 seasons
Either-sex | |||
| Season | Date | Licenses available | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Sep. 21-29 | 3 | 20 |
Antlerless | |||
| Season | Date | Licenses available | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | Sep. 21-29 | 2 | 20 |
Either-sex | |||
| Season | Date | Licenses available | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Sep. 21-29 | 5 | 30 |
Zones
Click map for larger view or download for printing
The Grygla area elk zone will continue to be closed to elk hunting because the area's population is below the goal outlined in the elk management plan.
Methods
Licenses
Hunters
This is a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. Using license code 625, hunters must select a season, zone and license type when applying. A lottery will be conducted for each season, giving hunters who chose an antlerless license better odds of being selected.
- Season A is for either-sex licenses in zone 20.
- Season B is for antlerless licenses in zone 20.
- Season C is for either-sex licenses in zone 30.
Minnesota residents may apply individually or in parties of two:
- A party of two only receives one elk tag to share and is both individual's once-in-a-lifetime hunt.
- Elk hunters are required to attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation meeting the Friday before each hunt.
There is a non-refundable application fee of $5 per hunter. Total license cost for selected applicants is $288.
Landowners
Elk licenses are available for a limited number of landowners each year. Details and application requirements are available on the landowner elk hunting page.
General information
For each zone, up to three drawings may occur:
- The first drawing will determine which applicants with more than 10 years of application history are eligible to purchase one of the five available licenses in each zone.
- The second drawing will determine which landowners can purchase one of the landowner available licenses. The selected landowners will be awarded the season of their choice.
- The third drawing will determine which applicants for the general drawing (including non-successful landowner applicants and non-successful 10-year pool applicants) are eligible to purchase the remaining licenses in each zone.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime hunt for Minnesota residents. Successful applicants who choose not to purchase a permit will be eligible for future elk hunts and receive an application point towards their 10-year application history preference.
Management
Hunting is only one aspect of the DNR's effort to manage elk for the public trust. We are committed to socially and ecologically responsive and responsible elk management for the benefit of all Minnesotans now and into the future.
- Visit our elk management page to learn about the many things we do to manage this native animal that once roamed Minnesota from Rushford to Roseau.
- Access reports and surveys in the elk reports and statistics archive.
The Kittson County Central Elk Zone consists of that portion of the state lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at the intersection of County State-Aid Highway (CSAH) 1 and State Trunk Highway (STH) 175; thence north along CSAH 1 to 380th Street; thence east to 250th Avenue; thence north along 250th Avenue to the section line between sections 29 and 30 of Township 164 North, Range 48 West; thence north on the section line between sections 29 and 30 of Township 164 North, Range 48 West to the U.S./Canadian border; thence east along the U.S./Canadian border to the north east corner of section 30 Township 164 North, Range 46 West; thence south along the east section line of section 30 Township 164 North, Range 46 West to 370th Avenue; thence south along 370th Avenue to County Road (CR) 51; thence south along CR 51 to CSAH 4; thence west along CSAH 4 to State Ditch 85 (330th Street); thence east along State Ditch 85 to State Ditch 72 ; thence east along State Ditch 72 to 480th Avenue (county line); thence south along 480th Avenue to 220th Street; thence west along 220th Street to CSAH 10; thence west along CSAH 10 to U.S. Highway 59; thence north along U.S. Highway 59 to STH 175; thence west along STH 175 to the point of beginning.
The Kittson County Northeast Elk Zone consists of that portion of the state lying within the following described boundary: Beginning at the intersection of County State-Aid Highway (CSAH) 4 and County Road (CR) 51; thence north along CR 51 to 370th Avenue; thence north along 370th Avenue to the west section line of section 29 Township 164 North, Range 46 West; thence north along the west section of section 29 Township 164 North, Range 46 West to the U.S./Canadian border; thence east along the U.S./Canadian border to the north east corner of section 25 Township 164 North, Range 45 West; thence south along the eastern section line of section 25 Township 164 North, Range 45 West to 480th Avenue; thence south along 480th Avenue to State Ditch 72 (310th Street); thence west along State Ditch 72 to State Ditch 85 (330th Street); thence west along State Ditch 85 to CSAH 4; thence north along CSAH 4 to the point of beginning.