BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) Elk hunting season opens next month in many parts of the state, and
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is proposing to open more public areas up to this year.

USFWS are looking at expanding the elk hunting range on four National Wildlife Refuges in the state. The proposal calls for opening up thousands of more acres at J Clark Salyer, Lostwood, Upper Souris, and Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuges.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Assistant Wildlife Division Chief, Bill Haase, says the elk populations in those areas has grown significantly to accommodate the proposal.

“J Clark Salyer is the main one at this point in time that has a pretty decent elk population on it,” Haase explains. “The other areas do have some elk, but we would like to include them in the proposal just in case those elk populations grow enough where we would want to have seasons throughout those areas.”

USFWS will review public comments before making a final decision on the proposal.
They intend to finalize any proposed changes to the plan before the upcoming elk hunting season starts in September. If the proposal is approved, hunters pursuing elk on public lands will be required to use non-lead ammunition.

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