• Elk hunting regulations are designed for conservation.elk image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  Elk provide a hunting opportunity for residents and nonresidents of several states and provinces throughout North America. An important natural resource, elk also have a significant economic impact through tourism and the sales of elk hunting licenses. To protect this natural resource for future generations, state and provincial governments have established elk hunting regulations.
  
  

Permits

• To legally hunt elk, you must obtain the appropriate licenses, permits or stamps before hunting. Each state has its own set of regulations and permit fees. Wyoming, for example, requires that you purchase a conservation stamp along with your elk permit. If you are hunting with archery equipment, you must also purchase an archery stamp. New Mexico has a public drawing for elk permits, but also offers landowner tags that can be purchased by general hunters.
  
  Canadian provinces, such as British Columbia and Saskatchewan, require you to pass a hunter education course before purchasing an elk-hunting license.
  
  

Point Restrictions

• Most states impose point restrictions that differentiate bull elk and antlerless elk. Units managed as “trophy” areas may also have point restrictions to control the quality of trophy bulls. Colorado defines an antlered bull elk as having antlers at least five inches in length, and a cow or antlerless elk as having no antlers or antlers less than five inches in length. Game management units within Colorado require bull elk to have four points or more on one antler, or a brow tine of at least five inches in length.
  
  

Management Units

• Elk populations vary throughout different areas within a state or province. As a result, specific herd management must be undertaken to maintain the elk population in each area. To conserve the population, elk hunting is divided among different management units. Most management units are divided by natural boundaries, such as highways or rivers. Tags will be assigned to a specific unit and it's your responsibility to hunt within that unit.
  
  

Outfitters

• Governments regulate elk-hunting outfitters to maintain hunt quality and control the hunting methods of nonresidents. Most Canadian provinces, such as British Columbia, will require nonresidents to hire an outfitter or hunt with a registered resident. Each outfitter is required to obtain an outfitter's license number with the state or province and include the information on any marketing or advertising material. You can usually obtain a list of licensed outfitters by contacting the agency that regulates hunting within your state or province.