Minnesota Mixed Bag: License application period open for 2025 elk tags – Outdoor News
St. Paul — Hunters have through Thursday, July 3, to apply for one of four elk licenses offered this year by the Minnesota DNR.
“We are reducing opportunities for elk harvest this year to make sure Minnesota’s elk populations continue to thrive. The number of permits available is based on the lower-than-expected number of elk we counted during our 2025 aerial flights and recent trends in population growth,” said Kelsie LaSharr, Minnesota DNR elk coordinator.
State hunters can apply for one of two seasons: Two licenses are available to harvest either a bull or antlerless elk in the Caribou-Vita (Zone 30) during the A season, Saturday, Sept. 13, through Sunday, Sept. 21. Or, two licenses are available to harvest an antlerless elk in the Caribou-Vita (Zone 30) B season, Saturday, Sept. 27, through Sunday, Oct. 5.
More information is available on the DNR’s elk hunting webpage. For more on Minnesota’s elk, visit the DNR’s elk management webpage.
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Provision to allow copper-nickel mining near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters pulled from House
Minnesota DNR’s latest draft of state Wildlife Management Area plan sees movement, again
Minnesota’s omnibus environment bill headed to Gov. Walz
Bigmouth Record Caught and Released
St. Paul — The DNR reports that the state has a new catch-and-release fishing record.
Joe Dahl of Apple Valley reeled in this 32 1/2-inch bigmouth buffalo in late April. The fish was caught from the Cannon River in Rice County. It’s the new catch-and-release record for the species.
Bigmouth buffalo, and many other native rough fish species, were added to the state record catch-and-release program last year. Learn more about open categories and find other records on the DNR website.
Federal Supports High School Trap Championship
Anoka, Minn. — Federal Ammunition has returned as a Platinum Level Sponsor of Minnesota’s 2025 Trap Shooting Championships. The event, led by the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League, runs through June 17 at the Alexandria Shooting Park.
“This event is one of the largest in the world and in our backyard,” said Jon Zinnel, director of Federal’s Conservation and Youth Shooting Sports. “Federal is proud to continue its support and wishes all shooters good luck. We also want to give a big shout-out to all the parents, coaches, and others who supported these athletes in their sport.”
With more than 350 teams featuring over 8,000 student-athletes, the nine-day event is exciting to watch. For more on the Minnesota High School Clay Target Program State Trap Shoot, visit mn.usaclaytarget.com.
Wisconsin DNR Seeking Tips on Illegal Elk Shooting
Black River Falls, Wis. — The Wisconsin DNR still needs the public’s help to gather information on the illegal killing of a bull elk in Jackson County. WDNR staff received and responded to a report of a dead elk on the morning of Tuesday, March 18. The elk was located off East Snow Creek Road and on private property north of Black River Falls, where department staff were conducting elk capture efforts to radio-collar and relocate a small group of elk.
Following a necropsy, it was determined that the bull died from injuries sustained from a gunshot wound. The bull, known as #244, was wearing a GPS radio collar, which, along with nearby cellular trail cameras, has provided investigators with detailed information related to the illegal shooting. The bull was one of the last remaining elk originally brought from Kentucky in 2016 and has served as one of the primary breeding bulls for Wisconsin’s Central Elk Herd.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is offering a $5,000 reward, and the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the successful prosecution of this incident. To claim the reward, tips must be submitted to Jackson County Crime Stoppers by going to the Jackson County Crime Stoppers webpage, P3tips.com or by calling 1-800-228-3203 ext. 199.
Citizens may also call the WDNR’s confidential Violation Hotline: 800-847-9367.
Wisconsin DNR Investigating Fatal Boating Accident in Waukesha County
Muskego, Wis. — The Wisconsin DNR is investigating a fatal boating accident in Waukesha County.
At approximately 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, the Muskego Police Department and Tess Corners Fire Department responded to a reported boat accident at Idle Isle Park on Little Muskego Lake in Muskego. A 10-year-old was injured in the boating accident. Immediate care was provided at the scene before the child was transported to a local hospital. The child succumbed to their injuries and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Preliminary investigations suggest a boat operated by a 74-year-old man with one other person on board struck a stationary boat with three people on board, including the child. No other significant injuries were reported.
The accident remains under investigation by the DNR with assistance from the Muskego Police Department. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the DNR’s confidential Violation Hotline online or by calling 1-800-847-9367 or to contact the Muskego Police Department at 262-679-4130.
