The Wisconsin elk hunting season was initiated in 2018 after restoration efforts, begun in 1995, created a sustainable, growing population in the Northern and Central zones. The limited, regulated, tag-based, and mostly bull-only hunt helps manage herd size, reduce human-elk conflicts, and promote genetic diversity.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced that in 2026, there will now be one continuous hunting season, opening Saturday, October 17, and continuing through Sunday, December 13, eliminating the split-season structure that had been in effect from 2018-2025.

This offers elk hunters more opportunities and flexibility to pursue elk in Wisconsin, and the application period for Wisconsin's 2026 elk hunt is now open.

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Application Period For The 2026 Elk Season Is Open

According to the Wisconsin DNR, the application period is open now for the 2026 elk season, and it will remain open until Sunday, May 31.

The DNR expects applicants and selected hunters will see increased opportunities again this year, including increased application options and license availability, coupled with a longer hunting season.

For the third year in a row, there will be increased opportunity to pursue elk within the Central Elk Management Zone (formerly Black River Elk Range), as additional bull elk and antlerless harvest authorizations will be available through the state licensing system.

The 2026 elk quota for the Central Elk Management Zone is six bull elk and six antlerless elk, up from a quota of four bull and five antlerless in 2025.

The Northern Elk Management Zone (formerly Clam Lake Elk Range) quota will be eight bull elk, subject to a 50% declaration by Ojibwe tribes.

What Happens During The Application Period?

During the open application period, applicants have the choice to submit one bull elk license application and/or one antlerless elk license application, separately.

Applicants can apply to any unit grouping with an associated quota for that authorization type (bull or antlerless). As a reminder, only one resident elk hunting license can be issued or transferred to a person in their lifetime, regardless of authorization type.

Wisconsin residents can submit elk license applications online through the Go Wild license portal or in person at a license sales agent. The application fee is $10 for each of the bull elk and antlerless elk drawings and is limited to one application per person, per authorization type. The DNR recommends that all applicants check and update their contact information to ensure contact with successful applicants.

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For each application fee, $7 goes directly to elk management, monitoring, and research. These funds also enhance elk habitat, which benefits elk and many other wildlife. If selected in the drawing, an elk hunting license costs $49.

When Will Selected Applicants Be Notified?

The DNR says that the order of drawing will be bull licenses first, followed by antlerless licenses. Selected applicants will be notified in early June.

Before obtaining an elk hunting license, all selected hunters must participate in a Wisconsin elk hunter education course. The class covers Wisconsin elk history, hunting regulations, biology, behavior, and scouting/hunting techniques.