Implement new antlerless elk limited entry hunting (LEH)

The public is invited to comment on the proposed hunting regulation described below.

Status: Proposed

Region: Region 4, Kootenay

Management unit (MU): 4-02 to 4-07, 4-20 and 4-22

Regulation type: Limited Entry Hunting

Species: Elk

Closing date: February 13, 2026 at 4:30 pm PT

Current regulation:

Limited Entry Hunting Regulations (PDF, 11MB)

There are currently no Regular or Bow only LEH seasons for elk in the Kootenay Region. There is an LEH youth private land only hunt for antlerless elk in 4-03A and in 4-22A from Sept 10 to Sept 25. Consult the map (PDF, 327KB) for hunt zones.

Proposed regulation:

Implement LEH hunts in the Fort Steele, Creston, Grasmere and Cranbrook areas. 

Rationale:

Four areas are identified for management in this proposal: Fort Steele, Creston, Grasmere, and Cranbrook. The proposed date range aims to limit harvest to non-migratory individuals, and a limited entry hunt allows managers to be more prescriptive with the harvest during this hunt.

The  objectives of this hunt are to reduce agricultural forage loss, reduce time elk spend on agricultural lands and increase social tolerance for elk on private land to discourage high fencing and related negative impacts to wildlife movement.

Agricultural conflict is a common and long-standing issue in the Kootenays. Since 2018, the elk population has increased, and with that, conflict with agricultural operations is increasing. This immensely affects the producers to be able to effectively operate.

Note, these proposed seasons lie within the Kootenay  Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management zone. Elk harvested within the CWD management zone are subject to mandatory head submission requirements and carcass transport restrictions.  

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