Elk

Elk season

Note: There is no open season for non-residents. Elk tags are valid for harvest areas, which are areas smaller than wildlife management units. Hunt codes for harvest areas are provided in this section.

Elk hunting requirements

Anyone wishing to hunt elk in Ontario must have the following:

• Outdoors Card
• elk licence listed on your licence summary
• elk tag (for appropriate season, harvest area and type of elk) or be party hunting with a person who has a valid elk tag in accordance with the modified party hunting rules for elk
• proof of firearm accreditation if you are hunting with a gun

For a chance to hunt elk, a resident hunter must apply to the draw for a tag and pay the draw application fee. No refund of application fees is granted to an applicant who is unsuccessful in the draw.

Elk hunting regulations

Tagging and transporting

Go to the tags section for details on tagging and transporting. Additional information on shipping and exporting can be found in the general regulations section.

Mandatory hunter reporting

Go to the hunter reporting requirements section for details on timelines and how to submit your report.

Firearms

Big game, including elk, may only be hunted with a firearm (this includes bows). When hunting elk, you may only use or carry a firearm of the type permitted for hunting elk at that time in that WMU. Specifications on the firearms, ammunition, arrows and broadheads that are permitted when hunting elk can be found in the general regulations section.

Modified party hunting for elk

Party hunting rules are listed in the general regulations section. Additional party hunting rules apply for elk, which include:

• a person may only party hunt with the holder of an elk tag if they are part of the tag holder’s hunting group, with the validation number listed on their licence. Hunters wishing to party hunt for elk must apply to the elk draw as a group and list all members on the same application
• party hunting for elk is limited to a maximum of 4 hunters (including the tag holder, but not including apprentice hunters)
• multiple parties may not hunt cooperatively

Dogs

Dogs may not be used to hunt elk. Dogs may be used to track an elk that has been wounded during a lawful hunt. Go to the general regulations section for more details.

Elk hunting on private property

If you wish to hunt elk on private land, you must carry your valid elk licence and the written consent of the landowner on the form provided by the ministry. Forms are available for download online at Apply to hunt elk.

Harvest areas, hunt codes and tag quotas for elk draw

For the purposes of harvest management, elk tags are valid for areas smaller than a WMU, referred to as Harvest Areas. For a chance to hunt elk, you must apply to the elk draw for a tag and pay the draw application fee. Applicants cannot select a bull or cow tag type; these will be randomly assigned. For further instructions on how to apply to the elk draw, go to the how to apply to hunt big game section.

Note: Hunters who are successful in the elk draw and are issued an elk tag are not eligible to receive another elk tag in their name for 5 years, but may continue to be listed as a member of a group and party hunt for elk during this time.

Last year's elk draw summary

General draw statistics

• 12 total tags available
• 2,111 total applicants entered in the draw

First choice applications by area

• Area 2, WMU 57: 678
• Area 5, WMU 61: 798
• Area 6, WMU 61: 635

Elk tag transfers

A transfer of an elk tag can only occur within a group of hunters that applied to the draw as a group. Groups are permitted one automatic transfer each year. You can complete automatic tag transfers yourself by accessing your account in the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service from August 1 to 19 or by visiting a participating ServiceOntario. Beginning August 20, tag transfers can only be completed at a participating ServiceOntario with an application, and the return of the original elk tag if it has been printed from the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service. After the season opens, the transfer of an elk tag will only be considered under specific circumstances, approved by the ministry.