This story has been updated to correct the increase in harvest to 5% over the previous year, a 10% increase over the past decade.
Wyoming hunters had one of the most successful elk hunting seasons on record in 2023-24, with nearly a 5% increase in harvest compared to the previous season, according to the latest elk harvest survey report.
Wyoming elk hunters had their most successful season ever in terms of number of animals killed.
During the season, hunters spent more than 480,000 days in the field and killed nearly 29,000 elk, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
The harvest of antlerless elk topped 13,000 for the first time – a 12.5% increase over the 10-year average.
Elk have thrived over the last two decades, estimated most recently at about 109,000, with some herds over population objectives. Hunting seasons are the primary tool used to manage elk to prevent damage to private lands.
People are also reading…
“Hunters play a crucial role in wildlife conservation, and their commitment to help manage elk populations is greatly appreciated,” said Game and Fish Wildlife Chief Rick King in a press release. “We appreciate the access provided by landowners and the effort expended by hunters in the harvest of antlerless elk.”
Tentative season information for the 2024 elk season is available on the Game and Fish Hunt Planner.
The resident elk deadline application is May 31. Draw results for resident elk will be tentatively available June 18.
