New Tech Used by DNR to Track Elk in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is using a new method to track the state's elk population for 2025.

Michigan's elk population is primarily located in the northern Lower Michigan. The DNR aims to get the most accurate population estimate possible to help manage the herd and to increase hunting opportunities.

Where Is Michigan's Elk Herd Located?

Many Michiganders have never seen elk in the wild, but they may not have spent any real time in the woods of the northeast section of the Lower Peninsula. This is the area you will find a healthy elk population. The largest numbers of elk are found in the Pigeon River Country State Forest, which is north of Gaylord.

Michigan's primary elk counties include Cheboygan, Montmorency, Otsego, and Presque Isle. The current Michigan elk population is estimated at 1,146. The DNR conducted an aerial survey in 2024. The survey had a confidence interval of plus/minus 262, which means the actual number could range between 884 and 1,408.

Read More: National Park Wolf Put Down Over Safety Fears

DNR Trying New Method To Survey State's Elk Population

The DNR is using a new method to track elk numbers for the 2025 survey. According to a Department of Natural Resources press release, researchers will pilot the use of trail cameras to estimate the state's elk herd.

The DNR is focusing on the core elk habitat, which is 1,100 square miles across northern Lower Michigan. The DNR recently installed about 200 trail cameras on state-managed land to monitor the herd. The wildlife division is also working with landowners to install cameras on private land.

Get our free mobile app

The goal of this pilot program is to compare aerial survey data with camera data to determine which method is most accurate for tracking Michigan's elk population.

👇BELOW: The Elk Capital of Michigan: Atlanta👇