The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to gather public comments about its plan to move elk into the northeast portion of the state, tentatively set for the early winter months of 2026.
Dating back to 1990, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has a long conservation history in Minnesota and supports the project. An RMEF staffer attended the first of two planned public comment sessions on February 10. (The second meeting was February 13.)
“I want to commend the DNR and Fond du Lac Resource Management Division on the time and resources each have committed to planning efforts for this elk restoration project and the forthcoming elk management plan,” said RMEF East Mission Lead Steven Dobey. “These collaborative efforts are crucial to elk restoration efforts that will ultimately offer incredible benefits to the sportsmen and women of Minnesota.”
Partners offered a summary of elk history in Minnesota and the historic legislative sidebars that prevented expansion efforts prior to 2024. DNR reported results from its January aerial surveys counted 280 to 300 elk before the 2025 calving season.
Questions ranged from how and who would pay for a restoration, would wolves have an impact, what habitat improvements are planned, would hunting be used for management purposes, will there be opportunity for volunteers to help with the process and how DNR would compensate for agriculture damage by elk.
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)