Minnesota residents is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Before settlement of this state, elk roamed all but the northeastern corner of Minnesota, now have small herds inhabit only four small areas of northwestern Minnesota. This State Conducts Minnesota Elk hunting Survey, Releases in 2018 about Population Estimate and a recent survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources DNR shows that there are 97 elk in three 3 different herds within the state borders.
Elk Hunting Season in Minnesota
Elk hunting in Minnesota has a quota system that how many numbers of elk you may hunt. Here are the following seasons to hunt elk in this state along with quota numbers detail:
- The First Elk season runs from Sep. 7 to Sep. 16, in both open elk zones.
- The second elk season with six (6) antlerless tags and one (1) either-sex tag runs from Sep. 21, to Sep. 29.The third elk season with five (5) antlerless and one (1) either-sex tag will occur Oct. 5, to Oct. 13.
- The new winter hunt will be in the Kittson central zone from Dec. 7 to Dec. 15. Five (5) antlerless tags will be available.
Elk License in Minnesota
The total license cost is $287.
Hunters have through June 15, to apply for one of (22) elk licenses offered this year by the Department of Natural Resources DNR because Elk hunting is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Minnesota residents. For getting the license you may apply at any DNR license agent, the DNR License Center or www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense or by telephone at 888-665-4236.
Best Places to Elk Hunt in Minnesota
The largest group, the Caribou-Vita herd, includes more than 150 animals that migrate between Kittson County in Minnesota and Manitoba, Canada-US Border. The Kittson-Central herd, located near Lancaster in Kittson County, includes about 60 elks and there are about 17 elk in Marshall County’s Grygla herd.
Hunting Gear List in Minnesota
Here is the gear list below, which are necessary to carry with you once you are ready to go for hunting in Minnesota.
- Hunting License, Driver’s License or other Id’s
- Minnesota Guide if Non-Resident
- Camera and Smartphone
- Shelter
- Belt, lightweight pair of gloves
- Billed or Brimmed Hat
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Underwear
- Lightweight vest
- Shirts long & short
- Hunting Boots
- Socks
- Lightweight Backpack Rain Cover
- Small Flashlight
- Rangefinder
- Quality Binoculars
- Trekking poles
- Bow or Rifle with Scope
- Ammo and Ammo Case
- Hunting Knife and Sharpener
- Toilet Paper and Dry Towel
- Black Diamond Strom Headlamp
- Sleeping Bag
- Cooking Kit
- Water Cooler
Minnesota Elk Hunting Firearms
If you would like to know about legal firearms’ in Minnesota for elk hunting than check below:
- Any hunter may use a scope on their muzzleloader during the muzzleloader elk season.
- No permit is required. A flintlock ignition is unloaded if it does not have priming powder in a pan.
- A percussion ignition muzzleloader is unloaded if it does not have a percussion cap on a nipple.
- For Muzzleloaders long gun or handgun cannot be loaded at the breech (muzzleloading revolvers are not legal for taking big game)
- Smooth-bore muzzleloader used must be at least .45 caliber Rifled muzzleloaders are at least .40 caliber.
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