Yes, there are elk in Michigan, and they represent a significant wildlife success story in the state. The free-ranging herd is concentrated almost entirely within the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula, where they inhabit a large block of state forestland.
The Extirpation and Reintroduction of Michigan Elk
Eastern elk were once native to Michigan but were completely extirpated from the state by the late 1800s. This disappearance was primarily due to extensive, unregulated market hunting and the widespread clear-cutting of forests for timber, which destroyed their required habitat.
A concerted effort to restore the animals began in 1918 when seven Rocky Mountain elk, a western subspecies, were transported and released near the community of Wolverine in Cheboygan County. This small group formed the nucleus of the current herd, and their numbers grew steadily until the mid-20th century. Despite a subsequent decline due to poaching and habitat issues in the 1960s and 70s, renewed conservation efforts eventually helped the population rebound to its present, stable status.
Current Population and Geographic Range
Michigan’s elk herd is centered in a designated core range encompassing roughly 1,080 square miles in the northeast Lower Peninsula. This area is often referred to as the “elk range” and includes portions of Cheboygan, Otsego, Montmorency, and Presque Isle counties. The largest concentration of the animals is found within the Pigeon River Country State Forest, which provides the expansive, diverse habitat they require.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitors the herd through regular aerial surveys and population modeling. The 2022 survey estimated the population to be between 870 and 1,684 animals, with a best estimate of approximately 1,277 elk. The DNR’s official management goal for the herd is a target population of between 500 and 900 elk, which helps mitigate conflicts with agriculture and forest regeneration.
Viewing Opportunities and Safety Guidelines
The Pigeon River Country State Forest is the premier location for public elk viewing. These openings are often planted with forage crops like clover and alfalfa, which provide a reliable food source, making sightings more likely. For the best chance of seeing elk, visitors should plan to be in the area at dawn or dusk when the animals are most actively grazing.
The most popular time for viewing is during the fall breeding season, or rut, in September and October, when large bull elk are active and their vocalizations, known as bugling, can be heard across the forest. Visitors should appreciate the animals from a significant distance and use binoculars or a spotting scope to observe them. It is important never to approach the elk. Maintaining distance prevents the animals from becoming habituated to human presence.
Management Through the Hunting Lottery
Regulated hunting is the primary tool the state uses to manage the elk population and keep the herd size within the established goal of 500 to 900 animals. This management strategy helps balance the herd with the available habitat, controls the spread of diseases like bovine tuberculosis, and reduces conflicts with private landowners. The hunt is strictly controlled through a lottery and permit system.
Tens of thousands of Michigan residents apply annually for an elk hunting license, with the application period typically running from May 1 to June 1. Only a small number of licenses, usually between 100 and 400, are issued each year, making the opportunity highly selective.
Applicants who are unsuccessful in the drawing receive a “weighted chance,” which increases their odds of being selected in subsequent years. Successful applicants are assigned to a specific Elk Management Unit (EMU) and must attend a mandatory orientation before their hunt.