MDNR Report

Late season Michigan elk

After several days of challenging hunting conditions due to wind, rain and warm temperatures, 63% of elk hunters filled their tags during the December hunting season.

There were 160 elk licenses issued for this hunt period, 110 antlerless licenses and 50 any-elk licenses. State hunters harvested 41 bulls, 51 cows and five calves during the nine-day season.

“This second hunt period definitely had atypical weather conditions. During that nine-day season, the weather was unseasonably warm with very little snow cover,” said Michigan Department of Natural Resources deer, elk and moose specialist Chad Stewart. “When combined with the heavy acorn crop from the fall, it seems like the distribution and activity of elk were different than in previous years, which likely influenced overall success rates for our hunters.”

The late season is used to manage overall elk population numbers across the entire elk management unit.

In 2023, state hunters in hunt periods 1 and 2, including all three Pure Michigan Hunt winners, harvested 171 elk.

Robert Beaudry, a Pure Michigan Hunt winner from Kingsford, harvested a 6x6 bull elk weighing 521 pounds. Reflecting on his hunt, Beaudry said, “I’ve never been so excited to go hunting as I was for this elk hunt. You just have to have patience for a good shot placement. This hunt was a dream come true.”

Results of the 2022 Michigan elk survey showed the heard is healthy and growing, with an estimated population between 870 and 1,684 animals. Elk are a valuable resource for Michigan’s ecosystems, while also providing opportunities for outdoor recreation through hunting and wildlife viewing. Learn more at Michigan.gov/Elk.