Minnesota Mixed Bag: Application deadline for 2026 elk hunt is July 7

St. Paul, — Minnesotans wishing to hunt elk have through Tuesday, July 7, to apply for one of 12 elk licenses offered this year by the Minnesota DNR.

“We’ve increased elk harvest opportunities this year based on higher elk counts from the 2026 aerial surveys compared to last year,” said Paul Burr, acting big game program leader. “The DNR remains committed to the sustainable management of Minnesota’s elk while providing hunting opportunities and keeping herds within their limits set by state law.”

There are three recognized herds in northwest Minnesota: Grygla, Kittson Central and Kittson Northeast (also known as Caribou-Vita). This year, licenses are available to eligible state-licensed elk hunters for all three herds.

“This will be the first time since 2012 that the Grygla herd has been open to hunting,” Burr said. “The herd’s increased survey count is encouraging and provides additional harvest opportunities.”

Hunters can apply for one of the 12 elk licenses available across three hunt zones and seven seasons. Seasons A-F will be Saturday, Sept. 12, through Sunday, Sept. 20, and Season G will be Saturday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Oct. 4. Each season corresponds to a specific zone and license type, with three either-sex licenses offered (in Seasons A, C and E) and the remaining nine allocated as antlerless licenses.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime hunt for Minnesota residents. Successful applicants who choose not to purchase a permit will be eligible for future elk hunts and receive an application point toward their 10-year application history preference. Two tags will be available for the 10-year application history pool, and one tag will be available to eligible agricultural landowners who reside within Zone 30 (Caribou-Vita).

For more on Minnesota’s elk, visit the DNR elk management webpage.

MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Effort to reintroduce elk to northeast Minnesota stalls; 2026 hunt in northwest sees increase in tags

The great, high-tech fishing debate rages on

Nine record fish caught in Minnesota this spring

USFS LIFTS BWCAW FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Duluth, Minn. — Effective June 12, the Superior National Forest terminated an emergency forest order implementing BWCAW fire restrictions. Visitors are encouraged to be aware of the weather conditions in the area and take precautions to ensure a safe visit.

For additional information regarding fire-related and/or forest closures and updates, visit the Superior National Forest website. For statewide fire restriction information, visit here.

MINNESOTA STATE PARKS JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM EXPANDS WITH NEW ACTIVITY BOOK

St. Paul — A new Junior Ranger activity book aimed at ages 9 and up is now available at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. With activities designed by Minnesota DNR state park naturalists, the new “Junior Ranger: Get curious!” book offers a range of educational activities for kids to engage with the natural world in Minnesota. The book focuses on investigating the state’s misunderstood wildlife, like bats, snakes and turkey vultures.

Once kids complete their booklet, they can take it to a state park ranger station or visitor center to collect a special Junior Ranger patch. A brand-new bat patch is available for those who complete the “Junior Ranger: Get curious!” activity book. Visitors can pick up Junior Ranger activity books at most state parks and recreation areas.

A map of pickup locations and printable versions of the booklets are available at mndnr.gov/junior-ranger.

DNR ISSUES SAFETY ADVISORY FOR SECTION OF NORTH BRANCH OF THE ROOT RIVER

St. Paul — The DNR is advising caution when recreating on a stretch of the North Branch Root River in Fillmore County. This area is generally a beginner-friendly paddling spot, however, unexpected rapids along a 50-foot stretch between Moen’s Bridge and the Whalan Canoe Launch are making the area difficult to navigate by canoe and other watercraft. The DNR is recommending that less-experienced paddlers portage through the area to avoid tipping in the water. Paddlers should follow on-site signage that identifies where to portage.

The affected stretch is within the channel restoration project at the site of the former Brightsdale Dam. Led by the DNR and Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District, the project is designed to address long-standing channel instability, sediment transport, and impacts from the former dam while also improving aquatic habitat. The DNR is currently reviewing the project site while exploring options to improve watercraft passage.

Updates related to conditions for watercraft passage will be shared on the Fillmore SWCD and DNR websites as they become available. Questions on current conditions can be directed to the Fillmore SWCD’s District Administrator, Riley Buley, at riley.buley@fillmoreswcd.org or the DNR’s Jeffrey Weiss, at jeffrey.weiss@state.mn.us.

NEBRASKA G&PS COMMISSION CHANGES START OF SPRING TURKEY HUNTING SEASON

Lincoln, Neb. — At its June 12 meeting in North Platte, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved wildlife orders that move the start of the spring turkey season. The change to orders will: Move the start of the spring archery season from March 25 to the Saturday closest to April 8. Move the start of the spring youth shotgun season from the Saturday closest to April 8 to the Saturday closest to April 15. And, move the start of the spring regular shotgun season from the Saturday closest to April 15 to the Saturday closest to April 22.

Delaying harvest at the start of the spring turkey season aims to reduce the likelihood of harvest negatively affecting reproductive success. The later start will better align the seasons with the timing of turkey dispersal from their winter flocks and breeding and nesting activities.