DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     March 7, 2014
Media contacts: John Williams, DNR northwest region wildlife manager, 218-308-2680, 
john.williams@state.mn.us; Graham Parson, Karlstad assistant area wildlife supervisor, 
218-436-2427, graham.parson@state.mn.us.

Elk management to be discussed March 13 in Greenbush

Elk management in Kittson and Marshall counties and the upcoming elk management plan revision will be discussed from 6:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, at the Greenbush High School, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

 “Our goal is to inform people about the northwestern Minnesota elk herds and let them know how they can participate in the elk plan revision,” said John Williams, DNR northwest region wildlife manager.

DNR staff will present information on topics such as elk history, habitat management, damage the animals can cause and the process for revising the elk plan for 2016-2020.

Three small elk herds roam far northwestern Minnesota: the Kittson Central herd located near Lancaster; the Grygla herd located in Marshall County near Grygla; and the Caribou-Vita herd in northern Kittson County and southern Manitoba. A recently completed aerial elk population survey shows that those three distinct herds contain 108 animals.

As part of the planning process, the DNR also is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on elk consensus work groups, one for the two Kittson County herds and one for the Grygla elk herd. DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr will select and appoint members to each group.

The DNR’s goal is to maintain a free-ranging, wild elk population in northwestern Minnesota. The department envisions a healthy yet limited population that offers recreational and economic opportunities while actively addressing conflicts between elk and people. Habitat and herd structure would be maintained. Hunting seasons would be used to help manage problem animals and herd size.

Information on Minnesota’s elk and the current management plan is available on the DNR website atwww.mndnr.gov/hunting/elk/.