Here Are The Numbers For Michigan’s 2025 Elk Harvest

Michigan's elk hunting continues to grow as the herd in the northern Lower Peninsula grows. Nearly 50,000 hunters applied for the 2025 season, and here are the results.

Michigan Elk Hunting

There are four counties in the northeastern portion of the Lower Peninsula that are home to Michigan's elk herd. The counties are Cheboygan, Montmorency, Otsego, and Presque Isle.

In order to be a part of Michigan's elk hunt, hunters need to apply for tags that are randomly selected each year by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. If a hunter gets selected, then they are able to purchase an elk hunting license.

The 2025 hunting periods for elk were August 26 - 29, September 12 - 15, September 26 - 29, and December 13 - 21.

Read More: Michigan Elk Hunting Season Could Double by 2026

Results of the 2025 Michigan Elk Hunt

According to a DNR press release, there was a record number of hunters who applied for the 2025 elk tags. Out of 47,493 applicants, only 260 elk tags were issued.

The 2025 hunt was very challenging for hunters because of weather. The early hunters were plagued by warmer than usual temperatures that kept the animals from moving. The late hunt suffered cold, freezing rain, an an ice storm, and snow.

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The first hunt harvested 50 elk with 26 being bulls, and 24 were antlerless. The second hunt harvested 103 elk with 40 being bulls, and 63 were antlerless.

👇BELOW: The Elk Capital of Michigan: Atlanta👇