For the first time since elk were reintroduced to western North Carolina 25 years ago, the state will allow a limited elk hunting season. The decision comes after wildlife officials said the elk population has recovered enough to support controlled hunting while continuing conservation efforts.The change follows the signing of House Bill 747 by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein on July 7. The law allows the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) to issue two elk hunting permits during the 2027 hunting season.Officials say the move is not aimed at reducing the population quickly but is part of a long-term wildlife management plan. The money raised through the permits will also be used for elk conservation and management.
The hunt
Elk were once found across much of North Carolina but disappeared from the state many years ago because of overhunting and habitat loss. Wildlife agencies later began efforts to bring them back to western North Carolina, and the animals have slowly established a stable population over the past 25 years.According to Justin McVey, district wildlife biologist with the NCWRC, the state has now reached an important milestone.“Our goal for elk management in the state is to have a sustainable huntable population and at this point we’ve reached that goal,” McVey said, as quoted by ABC 13 news.A sustainable population means there are enough animals to maintain healthy numbers while also allowing a limited number to be hunted without affecting the long-term survival of the species.
Elk in western North Carolina. (Photos: WLOS)
The permits
The state is taking a cautious approach by issuing only two permits during the first hunting season. The two permits will be distributed in different ways.One permit will be auctioned through a wildlife conservation non-profit organisation that took part in the elk reintroduction programme in North Carolina.Under the law, the selected non-profit can keep up to 25% of the auction proceeds. The remaining money will go towards wildlife conservation.The second permit will be awarded through a public raffle. People can buy raffle tickets for $20 each, with a maximum purchase of 30 tickets for $500. Anyone buying a ticket must have a valid North Carolina hunting licence or qualify for a licence exemption under state rules.The Wildlife Resources Commission may receive up to $25,000 from the raffle proceeds. The rest of the money collected from both the auction and raffle will be deposited into the state’s Wildlife Resources Fund, where it will be used for elk conservation and management programmes.
The rules
McVey said the permits are expected to become available in July 2027. The elk hunting season is scheduled to begin later that year in October.Hunters who receive permits will be allowed to hunt in areas within the state’s designated elk zone where elk are present.“They’ll be able to basically hunt any area in the elk zone that has elk; it’ll be private land as well as game lands,” McVey said.However, anyone planning to hunt on private property must first obtain permission from the landowner.Wildlife officials also said that hunters must follow all state hunting regulations. Those who violate the rules could face fines or other penalties.In addition, every elk harvested during the season must be reported to the NCWRC and presented to the agency as required under the new law.
