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Outdoors
Mathew Holding Eagle III

State elk populations stagnate, researchers look into why

elk herd in a forest
DNR wildlife supervisor Doug Franke said the Grygla elk herd (pictured) is managed to a population between 30-38 animals. Elk population growth in Minnesota's three wild herds has stagnated and researchers aren't sure why.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources limited the number of permits for hunting elk this year, following an aerial survey last winter that revealed lower than expected population numbers among the state's three wild herds.

Kelsie LaSharr, the DNR's elk coordinator, said researchers aren’t sure why elk populations in the state appear to have stalled. But they’re particularly concerned about the Grygla herd – Minnesota’s smallest.

“It's been below 30 for about a decade,” LasSharr said. “So, we want to make sure that we're protecting the status of that elk herd.” 

In an attempt to learn more, the DNR will soon launch a new research project. To start it will include collaring 40 adult elk – 25 females and 15 males – from the three existing wild herds this winter.

LaSharr said depending on migration the state typically has about 100-250 elk based on the Caribou-Vita herd which moves freely between the U.S. and Canada. And she said it's not uncommon for small herds to not see growth within specific years.

"There may never be a good answer for, you know, why we didn't see high amounts of growth between 2024 and 2025,” she said. “But we'll at least be able to get a good snapshot of this population and where they're at from here moving forward."

LaSharr said the research project will continue for the next three to five years.

Elk herd
The DNR estimates more than 100 elk live along the Minnesota - Manitoba border.
MPR photo courtesy Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Meanwhile, the DNR said two of the state's four elk permits were filled over the nine-day elk hunt season this year. It runs from late September to early October. 

LaSharr said the two elk harvested were from the Caribou-Vita herd, Minnesota’s largest, and were bulls or adult males.

"So, we didn't harvest any cows on the state side this year,” she said. “I'll also say that the Red Lake Nation does also hunt within the boundaries of the 1863 Old Crossing Treaty area. And so their harvest season will go until Dec. 31." 

LaSharr said the Red Lake Nation is permitting five either-sex and five antlerless elk to be harvested during their season. Those results will be shared with the DNR sometime after the new year.