Elk NetworkNorth Dakota Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep Hunters Fared Well in 2023

General | March 7, 2024

Below is a news release from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Harvest statistics released by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department show overall hunter success during the 2023 season for bighorn sheep was 100 percent, 89 percent for moose and 71 percent for elk.

The department issued five bighorn sheep licenses and auctioned one. All six hunters harvested a bighorn ram.

The department issued 253 moose licenses last year. Of that total, 246 hunters harvested 219 animals – 132 bulls and 87 cows/calves.

Harvest for each unit follows:

Unit Hunters Bulls Cow/Calf Success Rate
M5 8 6 1 88
M6 10 6 1 70
M8 15 15 0 100
M9 84 33 43 90
M10 77 45 27 94
M11 52 27 15 81

The department issued 649 elk licenses last year. Of that total, 589 hunters harvested 418 elk – 190 bulls and 228 cows/calves.

Harvest for each unit follows:

Unit Hunters Bulls Cow/Calf Success Rate
E1E 128 36 54 70
E1W 104 21 45 63
E2 130 38 43 62
E3 194 73 81 79
E4 21 18 0 86
E6 12 4 5 75

(Photo credit: North Dakota Game and Fish Department)