How is the elk population faring in Minnesota?

By the turn of the 20th century, elk in Minnesota were at the point of extinction.

As a result of legislative action in the early 1900s, 70 elk were transferred — primarily from Yellowstone National Park — to northwestern Minnesota, re-establishing elk in our state.

Currently, there are around 200 elk; the population goals are legislatively mandated. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources works with the Red Lake Nation to manage the population.

Science and Nature

Where did all the elk go? A history of elk in Minnesota

Charlie Mitchell

Retired wildlife biologist Bill Berg discusses the history of Minnesota elk. This is part of a new series regarding the history and future of elk and caribou in our region.

Listen • 19:28

Blane Klemek and Kelsie LaSharr from the DNR joined the KAXE Morning Show to tell us about the current state of elk in Minnesota. Listen to the conversation above.

KAXE's Tuesday Morning Show strives to take an in-depth look at natural resource-based issues important to Northern Minnesota. Producer Mark Jacobs and hosts Heidi Holtan and John Latimer discuss the problems and highlight some creative solutions.

Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).