SASKATCHEWAN — With the arrival of fall comes another hunting season for outdoor enthusiasts, and specifically, the elk season opened this year on Sept. 15.
The news comes as the advisory is being published surrounding elk mating season, also known as the rutting season, which takes place from late August to mid-October.
During the rut, male elk display more aggressive behaviour than usual to protect their female mates from other bull elk and predators. Humans should be aware, as an elk will charge at anything that comes too close to their mates.
Beware of these warning signs to avoid an elk encounter:
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Travel in a group and carry bear spray for protection.
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Keep your dog on a leash — an elk will view them as predators (like a wolf or coyote).
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If you encounter an elk, stay back 30 metres or more.
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Act dominant, maintain eye contact, raise your arms to appear larger, and back slowly out of the area.
Per the 2025-26 Hunters Guide in Saskatchewan, elk hunting kicked off on Sept. 15 and goes until Sept. 30 before a pause in the season, then resumes from Dec. 10 to Dec. 19. Other dates include Oct. 20-31 and Nov. 10-19. Hunters in the province are advised to pick up or download the newest Hunters Guide to confirm correct Wildlife Management Zones and open or closed season dates.
In addition, those heading out into Saskatchewan’s forests and hunting grounds are reminded of the Hunter Harvest Survey, an important component of managing game in the province. Surveys provide valuable information for quota and season setting for the upcoming year.
These surveys are incorporated into HAL — the Hunting, Angling and Trapping Licence System. Every hunter or trapper who purchases a licence for which a survey is being conducted will have the opportunity to complete a survey. This data is provided to the Ministry of Environment’s wildlife biologists in advance of quota setting for the following year, allowing them to evaluate recent changes in management strategy and identify areas where different approaches may be warranted. The more surveys completed, the more thorough the evaluation can be.
There are currently three ways to complete your survey(s):
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Sign in to your HAL account and select the “Hunter Harvest Surveys” tab on the left-hand side of the page.
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Call ASPIRA at 1-888-773-8450.
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Use the SK Hunt & Fish App — download the app on your iOS or Android device.
Opportunities to view such wildlife in their natural habitat are few and far between, but for everyone’s safety this season, please give the province’s wildlife the space they deserve.
