Wisconsin Elk Hunt Applications Open
Applications are now open for Wisconsin's 2026 elk hunt, a coveted opportunity given the limited tags available each year. Interested hunters should apply promptly to be in the draw for this unique experience.
The 2026 season marks another chapter in one of Wisconsin's most successful wildlife reintroduction stories. After being wiped out from the state in the 1880s due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss, 25 elk were first reintroduced in 1995. A second reintroduction effort began in 2015, and today the statewide elk population has grown to over 400 animals. This year, hunters can apply for tags in two separate herds. The Northern Elk Management Zone, home to the original reintroduced herd, is projected to have approximately 383 elk as of July 2026. The Central Elk Management Zone was established with elk relocated from Kentucky in 2015 and 2016 and has seen rapid growth. For the 2026 hunt, the harvest quota includes eight bull elk in the Northern Zone and a combined twelve animals (six bull and six antlerless) in the Central Zone. Per treaty rights, the Ojibwe tribes can declare up to half of the available harvest quota in the Ceded Territory, which encompasses the Northern Elk Management Zone. The application period runs from March 1 through May 31, with a non-refundable fee of $10 for each application. Hunters may apply for both a bull and an antlerless tag. Of each application fee, $7 is dedicated directly to elk management, research, and habitat improvement efforts in Wisconsin. If drawn, a Wisconsin resident elk hunting license costs $49. All successful applicants are also required to participate in a Wisconsin elk hunter education course covering history, regulations, biology, and hunting techniques before they can obtain their license. This managed hunt is a testament to decades of conservation work. The first modern elk hunt was held in 2018 after the northern herd grew large enough to sustain a harvest. The 2024 season marked the first time hunting was permitted in the Central Elk Management Zone. The drawing for the limited tags is highly competitive. In 2025, over 26,000 applications were submitted for just 13 state-issued licenses. The drawing for the 2026 season will take place in early June, and successful applicants will be notified by the DNR.
