Elk · State-by-state
Elk hunting regulations.
American elk (also called wapiti) are the second-largest member of the deer family in North America. Mature bulls weigh 700-1,100 pounds and carry six-by-six racks that put them in the same trophy conversation as moose for many Western hunters. Their range covers the Rockies from Arizona through British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest coastal forests, and small reintroduced herds across the East — Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
Elk hunting splits into general-season Western units (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon) and limited-draw trophy hunts everywhere else. The rut peaks in mid-September into early October — the bugle window — driving most archery effort. The rifle season runs in October-November with cooler weather and bulls dispersed off the meadows. Elk migrate seasonally in many ranges, requiring hunters to either follow them down at season's end or hunt summer range early.
State-by-state legal status
50 states + DC
Tap a state to view elk regulations and other species huntable there. Bield Hunt does not yet publish specific season dates or bag limits — verify with your state F&W agency before hunting.
- AlaskaDraw / limited entry
- ArizonaDraw / limited entry
- ArkansasDraw / limited entry
- CaliforniaDraw / limited entry
- ColoradoGeneral season
- IdahoGeneral season
- KansasDraw / limited entry
- KentuckyDraw / limited entry
- MichiganDraw / limited entry
- MinnesotaDraw / limited entry
- MontanaGeneral season
- NebraskaDraw / limited entry
- NevadaDraw / limited entry
- New MexicoGeneral season
- North CarolinaSpecial permit / depredation
- North DakotaDraw / limited entry
- OklahomaDraw / limited entry
- OregonGeneral season
- PennsylvaniaDraw / limited entry
- South DakotaDraw / limited entry
- TennesseeDraw / limited entry
- UtahGeneral season
- VirginiaDraw / limited entry
- WashingtonGeneral season
- West VirginiaSpecial permit / depredation
- WisconsinDraw / limited entry
- WyomingGeneral season
- AlabamaNot huntable
- ConnecticutNot huntable
- DelawareNot huntable
- FloridaNot huntable
- GeorgiaNot huntable
- HawaiiNot huntable
- IllinoisNot huntable
- IndianaNot huntable
- IowaNot huntable
- LouisianaNot huntable
- MaineNot huntable
- MarylandNot huntable
- MassachusettsNot huntable
- MississippiNot huntable
- MissouriNot huntable
- New HampshireNot huntable
- New JerseyNot huntable
- New YorkNot huntable
- OhioNot huntable
- Rhode IslandNot huntable
- South CarolinaNot huntable
- TexasNot huntable
- VermontNot huntable
Status legend
- YGeneral season
- DDraw / limited entry
- PPrivate land / specific zones
- SSpecial permit / depredation
- RRestricted (subspecies / units)
- -Not huntable
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