Wisconsin elk hunters now have a definite date to circle on their calendars. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the application period begins for Wisconsin’s first-ever managed elk hunt is May 1st.
“The most common question I’ve been asked is how many people we expect to apply for a tag,” said DNR deer and elk ecologist Kevin Wallenfang. “With 600,000 deer hunters and over 120,000 people applying for bear tags each year, a chance to pursue yet another great big game animal in Wisconsin is going to be very appealing for a lot of hunters. We encourage everyone to throw their hat in the ring to be one of five lucky people with an opportunity to hunt elk come October.”
Four tags will be awarded through a lottery drawing, with the fifth awarded through a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation raffle. Hunters may enter both, but can only win once. Those interested in entering the RMEF raffle should look for more information on the organization’s website at www.rmef.org/Wisconsin. State drawing winners will be announced in early June and the winner of the RMEF raffle will be announced in August.
Elk license applications can be purchased in the DNR Go Wild license system from May 1 – 31, and only Wisconsin residents may apply. Each potential hunter may apply once online at gowild.wi.gov or by visiting a license agent. The application fee is $10. RMEF raffle tickets are also $10 each, and there is no limit on the number of raffle tickets each individual may purchase. The cost of an elk hunting license for the winners of the license drawing is $49.
Go here for more information.
(Photo source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)