The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced that the five elk hunters filled their tags during Wisconsin's third managed elk season. The 2020 season marked 25 years since the reintroduction and management of elk began in the state.
In order to stay safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the group used online chats and social media to discuss plans for the hunt and encourage each other for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"This wasn't a typical season for this year's elk hunters, so they got creative," said DNR Wildlife Biologist Josh Spiegel. "Each of the five hunters had unique experiences, but all ended the same with the harvest of a beautiful Wisconsin bull elk."
There were many highlights to the 2020 elk hunt, including the first elk ever harvested in the Clam Lake Elk Range's southern lobe, a 502 square-mile area added in 2012. One of the bulls harvested was also the first game animal harvested by one of the five hunters selected.
Following a three-month application period, the DNR selected four hunters at random from a pool of about 28,000 applicants. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation awarded the fifth state-issued tag through their fundraising raffle.
Categories: Wisconsin, Rural Lifestyle