Opportunities available to hunt elk in Minnesota

Interested hunters have through Friday, June 11, to apply for one of 30 elk licenses offered this year by the DNR. Seasons will run from late August to mid-October.

This year’s seasons are similar to last year’s, which provided hunters with more opportunities to harvest antlerless elk. Hunters can choose from three license options: a license for a bull elk; a license for an antlerless elk, which can be a female or a young male; or a license for either a bull or antlerless elk. It's important that hunters review the elk season structure on the DNR website prior to entering the lottery to ensure they apply for the license they want.

More details: DNR elk hunting page

Last chance for spring turkey hunters

It’s the last hurrah for Minnesota’s 2021 spring turkey hunting season! The final hunt period is today through Monday, May 31. Reminder for firearms turkey hunters who have an unused tag from an earlier hunt, you can participate during this last time period.

Hunters may also purchase a license for this time period. Archery-only and youth ages 17 and younger are allowed to hunt during any time period, including the final one. Hunters cannot purchase both a firearms and archery-only license.

More details: DNR turkey hunting page

Leave fawns be

It’s that time of year again: Most fawns are born from mid-May to mid-June. During their first few weeks of life, they do not attempt to evade predators. Instead, they remain still to avoid being seen. If you see a fawn alone, please avoid disturbing them as they’re busy learning critical survival skills from their mothers (who are often foraging nearby). Be assured deer fawns do fine even if they appear abandoned or fragile. 

More details: DNR baby animals page