Lithuania proposes reducing elk hunting limit to 3,935

Lithuania’s Environment Ministry has proposed setting the elk hunting limit at 3,935 for the 2026–2027 season, nearly 400 fewer than in recent years, BNS reports.

The proposed limit is based on data from municipal commissions assessing the need for elk culling, the ministry said. Commissions must consider requests from hunting ground users, previous season’s hunting data, and information from the State Forest Service on damage caused by elk to forest regeneration and other woodlands.

They must also account for the impact of the previous winter on wildlife mortality, the ministry added.

Under the draft order, the highest limits would apply in the Švenčionys (214), Varėna (205), and Ignalina (201) districts.

Last year, the ministry had considered removing the elk hunting limit entirely but abandoned the idea after feedback from hunters and social partners. Officials noted that elk often move across multiple hunting areas, requiring coordination among different hunting groups or clubs.

“It was decided that abandoning the elk hunting limit is currently inappropriate, and it remains in place. Abandoning the limit is no longer under consideration,” the ministry stated.

In the 2025–2026 season, 2,372 elk were hunted in Lithuania, representing 55% of the set limit. Elk are the only hoofed game in Lithuania subject to hunting quotas.