Hunting News

2016 elk hunters see 92 percent success rate

2016 elk hunters see 92 percent success rate

By Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Preliminary results are in for Michigan's latest elk hunting season in which 100 state licenses were available, 30 any-elk and 70 antlerless-only licenses.

“The December hunt had a 92-percent success rate for our state hunters, which is great,” said Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Shelby Hiestand. “Fortunately, because of the nature of our elk season, we are really able to work closely with hunters.”

During the nine-day hunt period, running Dec. 10-18, 54 cows, 29 bulls and nine calves were harvested.

The December season allows hunters to take an elk within any elk management hunting unit, maximizing the 10-county hunting unit at the tip of the mitt of northern Michigan.

The earlier elk hunt period from late August to early October also had great hunter success, with 85 percent of state hunters able to harvest an elk.

“Regulated hunting is the most effective tool in managing wildlife numbers,” Hiestand said. “We are able to efficiently and quickly get results in a very hands-on and specific approach.”

Elk population estimates are derived from aerial elk surveys, and recent survey years showed population estimates exceeding the stated elk management plan goals of 500 to 900 elk. As a result, the 2016 elk license quotas were increased from the prior hunting season and the elk survey frequency will be increased.

For more about elk in Michigan, visit mi.gov/elk.

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