Michigan Extends Elk Season For Only The Third Time In 25 Years

Jan. 5, 2009

The Department of Natural Resources today announced a five-day elk hunt to be held Jan. 14-18.

The DNR’s management goal is a winter herd of approximately 800 to 900 elk in Montmorency, Cheboygan, Presque Isle and Otsego counties. Although elk numbers are close to that level, the herd has expanded outside the traditional four-county elk range and the animals are often found in Alpena, Alcona, Emmet, Charlevoix and Oscoda counties.

“The January hunt is designed to address an increasing elk presence outside the traditional four-county elk range,” said Tim Reis, Northeast Wildlife Management Unit supervisor. “We need to manage the distribution of elk in the outlying areas.”

Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason said the January hunt is the best way to address the issue.

“Hunting has been an effective management tool in maintaining both the elk population and distribution of elk in Michigan,” Mason said. “These special seasons are instrumental in managing elk outside the traditional elk range.”

This is only the third time since elk hunting began 25 years ago that a January hunt will be held. All hunters that applied for the regular elk season, and were not drawn, were eligible. An additional 40 hunters have been selected for the January hunt. All selected hunters have been notified by the department.