Elk

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Do not feed elk. Feeding can habituate elk to people and can lead to conflicts, such as damage to landscaping plants, increased chance for vehicle strikes, aggressive behavior, and disease transmission. Intentionally feeding elk is illegal under state law.
• Protect large areas of landscaping, crops and gardens by using and maintaining sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high and using plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to elk.

Around home

• Ensure potential outdoor food sources, such as bird food and pet food, are not accessible to elk.
• Check your yard for areas where elk may access landscaping plants or gardens. Eight-foot fencing is most effective for excluding elk from large areas. Individual tree guards or tubes can help protect young plants.
• Protect fruit trees with sturdy fencing with 3 inch or less holes or by covering individual trees during vulnerable times of year.
• Trim vegetation away from driveways and walking paths to improve visibility and reduce the chance of elk collisions with vehicles and other surprise encounters.

Pets and livestock

• Elk are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if cornered. Keep dogs leashed or fenced to prevent chasing elk, particularly during calving season (April-May) and breeding season (August-October). Allowing dogs to chase elk can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Store livestock feed securely to prevent elk from accessing it. Elk can carry Bovine tuberculosis, a disease transmissible to livestock and pets.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your house is the best way to reduce conflicts with elk.
• If elk are causing damage to large areas of landscaping or gardens install and maintain sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high. Using plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to elk can also help reduce damage.
• Deter elk from jumping into small spaces, like flower gardens, by using two rows of 4 foot tall sturdy fencing spaced 3-6 feet apart. Electric fencing can also be especially effective when properly maintained.
• Hazing elk by yelling, clapping hands, and other boisterous motions can help deter elk from your property. Damage to plants around homes often occurs during the night, so consider setting up a trail camera to help identify times when hazing could be most effective.
• Various elk deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers or repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of elk other than for permitted research.
• If you find an elk calf alone, do not touch it, as this might leave your scent and could attract predators. The mother elk will return for her calf when she feels it is safe, but she may not return if people or dogs are present. If you believe the mother is dead or the calf is injured, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing a calf from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• In areas where hunting is allowed, elk may be taken with the appropriate elk permit and hunting license during the open season. Hunters must follow state hunting regulations.
• Lethal removal permits are not allowed for elk. If elk are causing notable risk to human health or safety, contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage residents from feeding elk. Feeding can habituate elk to people and can lead to conflicts, such as damage to landscaping plants, increased chance of vehicle collisions, aggressive behavior, and disease transmission. Intentionally feeding elk is illegal under state law.
• Encourage residents to protect landscaping and gardens by using tall sturdy fencing and plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to elk. These methods can also be used around community gardens and landscaping in green spaces.

Your community

• Ensure potential outdoor food sources, such as bird food and fruit trees, are not accessible to elk.
• Trim vegetation away from driveways and walking paths to improve visibility and reduce the chance of elk collisions with vehicles and other surprise encounters.
• Educate residents about not touching elk calves that appear to be alone, as this might leave human scent and could attract predators. The mother elk will return for her calf when she feels it is safe, but she may not return if people or dogs are present. If the resident believes the mother is dead or the calf is injured, have them contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing a calf from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding elk and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Public spaces

• Use and maintain sturdy 8 foot high fencing to exclude elk from large areas, such as community gardens and green spaces. Individual tree guards or tubes can help protect young plants.
• Protect fruit trees with sturdy fencing with holes 3 inches or less or by covering individual trees during vulnerable times of year.

Pets and livestock

• Educate residents about keeping dogs leashed or fenced to prevent chasing elk, particularly during calving season (April-May) and breeding season (August-October). Elk are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if cornered. Allowing dogs to chase elk can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Ensure livestock feed in community or cooperative facilities is secured to reduce attraction.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Decrease elk using specific areas by removing food sources, such as fallen fruit, and thick patches of vegetation that can provide shelter for elk.
• Minimize damage to landscaping by using plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to elk.
• If elk are causing damage to large areas of landscaping or community gardens install and maintain sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high.
• Various elk deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers or repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of elk other than for permitted research.
• Michigan DNR does not remove roadkill elk. Work with your local county or township road commission or a hired contractor for removal.

Lethal methods

• In areas where hunting is allowed, elk may be taken with the appropriate elk permit and hunting license during the open season. Hunters must follow state hunting regulations.
• Lethal removal permits are not allowed for elk. If elk are causing notable risk to human health or safety, contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage people from feeding elk. Feeding can habituate elk to people and can lead to conflicts, such as damage to landscaping plants, increased chance of vehicle collisions, aggressive behavior, and disease transmission. Intentionally feeding elk is illegal under state law.
• Protect landscaping and gardens around your building by using tall sturdy fencing and plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to elk.

Grounds

• Use and maintain sturdy 8 foot high fencing to exclude elk from large areas, such as courtyards or school gardens. Individual tree tubes can help protect young plants and wrapping material can protect the base of larger trees.
• Trim vegetation away from driveways and walking paths to improve visibility and reduce the chance of elk collisions with vehicles and other surprise encounters.
• Remove food sources like cafeteria waste and fallen fruit that can attract elk.
• Educate staff and students about not touching elk calves that appear to be alone, as this might leave human scent and could attract predators. The mother elk will return for her calf when she feels it is safe, but she may not return if people or dogs are present. If someone believes the mother is dead or the calf is injured, have them contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing a calf from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Pets and livestock

• Educate staff and visitors about keeping dogs leashed or fenced to prevent chasing elk, particularly during calving season (April-May) and breeding season (August-October). Elk are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if cornered. Allowing dogs to chase elk can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Ensure livestock feed in community or cooperative facilities is secured to reduce attraction.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Decrease elk using specific areas by removing food sources, such as fallen fruit, and thick patches of vegetation that can provide shelter for elk.
• Minimize damage to landscaping by using plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to elk.
• If elk are causing damage to large areas of landscaping or community gardens install and maintain sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high.
• Various elk deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers or repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of elk other than for permitted research.
• Michigan DNR does not remove roadkill elk. Work with your local county or township road commission or a hired contractor for removal.

Lethal methods

• In areas where hunting is allowed, elk may be taken with the appropriate elk permit and hunting license during the open season. Hunters must follow state hunting regulations.
• Lethal removal permits are not allowed for elk. If elk are causing notable risk to human health or safety, contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Do not intentionally feed elk. Feeding can habituate elk and lead to increased conflicts, such as damage to crops and landscaping plants, increased chance of vehicle collisions, and aggressive behavior. Intentionally feeding elk is illegal under state law.
• Store livestock feed and mineral blocks securely to prevent attracting elk to barns or feed areas.

Your farm or orchard

• Protect large expanses of crops and orchards by using and maintaining sturdy fencing at least 8 feet tall.
• Protect fruit trees and vines with tree guards or sturdy fencing with holes 3 inches or less. Two rows of 4 foot tall fencing spaced 3-6 feet apart can be used to deter elk from jumping into small areas of crops, such as gardens. Electric fencing can also be especially effective when properly maintained.
• Reduce thick vegetation around field edges that elk use for shelter. Greatest crop damage from elk will often be near areas with ample shelter.

Pets and livestock

• Keep dogs leashed or fenced to prevent chasing elk, particularly during calving season (April-May) and breeding season (August-October). Elk are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if cornered. Allowing dogs to chase elk can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Store livestock feed and mineral blocks securely to prevent attracting elk to barns or feed areas. Elk can carry disease transmissible to livestock and pets.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Decrease elk using specific areas by removing food sources, such as fallen fruit, and thick patches of vegetation that can provide shelter for elk.
• If elk are causing damage to large areas of crops or gardens install sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high.
• Hazing elk by yelling, clapping hands, and other boisterous motions can help deter elk from your property. Damage to plants often occurs during the night, so consider setting up a trail camera to help identify times when hazing could be most effective.
• Various elk deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers or repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• The DNR may be able to assist in hazing elk. Before contacting a local DNR Wildlife Division office ensure you are experiencing damage from elk by identifying feeding characteristics specific to elk. Elk damage to corn often results in stripped husks, chewed kernels, and broken stalks. For soybeans and other legumes, elk browsing may appear as clipped stems, missing leaves or pods, and trampled plants. Damage to orchards or vineyards may include stripped buds and young shoots, and antler rubbing on tree bark.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of elk other than for permitted research.
• Michigan DNR does not remove roadkill elk. Work with your local county or township road commission or a hired contractor for removal.

Lethal methods

• In areas where hunting is allowed, elk may be taken with the appropriate elk permit and hunting license during the open season. Hunters must follow state hunting regulations.
• Lethal removal permits are not allowed for elk. If elk are causing notable risk to human health or safety, contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office.
• Consider opening your property to elk hunting during the regulated season to help manage the elk herd and potential conflicts.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage staff and visitors from feeding elk. Feeding can habituate elk to people and can lead to conflicts, such as damage to landscaping plants, increased chance of vehicle collisions, aggressive behavior, and presence around airfields. Intentionally feeding elk is illegal under state law.
• Use and maintain sturdy fencing at least 8 foot tall to exclude elk from airfields.

Around buildings

• Protect landscaping around hangers and other buildings by using and maintaining tall sturdy fencing and using plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to elk.
• Trim vegetation to reduce elk browse damage and improve visibility.

Airfields

• Maintain short vegetation on airfields to reduce cover and forage for elk.
• Remove brush piles and other features that provide shelter for elk.
• Use and maintain sturdy fencing at least 8 foot tall to exclude elk from airfields.

Pets and livestock

• Keep dogs leashed or fenced to prevent chasing elk, particularly during calving season (April-May) and breeding season (August-October). Elk are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if cornered. Allowing dogs to chase elk can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Store livestock feed and mineral blocks securely to prevent attracting elk to barns or feed areas. Elk can carry disease transmissible to livestock and pets.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Decrease elk use of airport property by removing food sources, such as fallen fruit, and thick patches of vegetation that can provide shelter for elk.
• To exclude elk from airport property install and maintain sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high.
• Hazing elk by yelling, clapping hands, and other boisterous motions can help deter elk from airport property. Damage to plants around buildings often occurs during the night, so consider setting up a trail camera to help identify times when hazing could be most effective.
• Various elk deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers or repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of elk other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Lethal removal permits are not allowed for elk unless they are a risk to public safety. If elk are causing notable risk to human health or safety, contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office.