Lottery & licenses
The elk lottery is closed and winners have been notified. A record number of applicants – 4,425 potential hunters – entered this year's lottery. The previous high was 2,820 in 2019.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime hunt offering two bull-only licenses, 18 either-sex licenses and 24 antlerless licenses. 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.
Seasons A through F are for the either-sex licenses in Zone 20. Seasons G through L are for the antlerless licenses in Zone 20. Season M is for the two bull-only licenses available 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 given hunt.
There is a non-refundable application fee of $5 per hunter. Total license cost for selected applicants is $288.
Either-sex licenses | |||
---|---|---|---|
Season | Dates | Zone | Licenses available |
A | Aug. 22-30 | 20 | 3 |
B | Sept. 5-13 | 20 | 3 |
C | Sept. 19-27 | 20 | 3 |
D | Oct. 3-11 | 20 | 3 |
E | Oct. 24- Nov. 1 | 20 | 3 |
F | Dec. 5-13 | 20 | 3 |
Antlerless licenses | |||
Season | Dates | Zone | Licenses available |
G | Aug. 22-30 | 20 | 4 |
H | Sept. 5-13 | 20 | 4 |
I | Sept. 19-27 | 20 | 4 |
J | Oct. 3-11 | 20 | 4 |
K | Oct. 24- Nov. 1 | 20 | 4 |
L | Dec. 5-13 | 20 | 4 |
Bull-only licenses | |||
Season | Dates | Zone | Licenses available |
M | Sept. 5-13 | 30 | 2 |
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.
Zone information
Seasons
- Saturday, Aug. 22, to Sunday, Aug. 30: Four antlerless tags and three either-sex tags will be available in the Kittson central (Zone 20) zone.
- Saturday, Sept. 5 to Sunday, Sept. 13: Four antlerless tags and three 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. 19, to Sunday, Sept. 27: Four antlerless tags and three either-sex tags will be available in the Kittson central (Zone 20).
- Saturday, Oct. 3, to Sunday, Oct. 11: Four antlerless tags and three either-sex tags will be available in the Kittson central (Zone 20).
- Saturday, Oct. 24, to Sunday, Nov. 1: Four antlerless tags and three either-sex tags will be available in the Kittson central (Zone 20).
- Saturday, Dec. 5, to Sunday, Dec. 13: Four antlerless tags and three either-sex tags will be available in the Kittson central (Zone 20).
Landowners
Information
Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations
Hunting licenses - find license agents, get applications or purchase licenses by phone or the Internet.
Management plan
Learn about Minnesota's elk and plans to manage them on the elk management page.
Status & statistics
Find information about elk harvest and populations on the Status & Statistics tab of the elk management page.