Current regulations allow an elk season once herds in the Clam Lake and Black River regions reach 200 and 150 animals respectively. The rules limit the number of permits to 5 percent of the elk population.
The Department of Natural Resources projects the Clam Lake herd will stand at between 211 to 236 elk after calving this spring. The Black River herd is projected to stand at between 70 and 80.
DNR officials want to drop the restrictions so they’ll have more freedom to manage the herds.
The Assembly’s sporting heritage committee is scheduled to vote on lifting the restrictions Wednesday morning. The Senate sporting heritage committee has already signed off on the move.
