Elk hunting quota reduced by nearly 8.5% to almost 3,940

Lithuania’s Environment Minister Ieva Andriulaitytė has signed an order setting the elk hunting quota for the 2026–2027 season at nearly 3,940 animals, a reduction of almost 8.5% from the previous two seasons, when the limit was 4,300, LRT reports.

Elk are the only hoofed game animals in Lithuania whose hunting is subject to quotas, according to the Environment Ministry. The quotas for each municipality are determined by local commissions comprising representatives from the Environmental Protection Department, the State Forest Service, private forest and landowners, and hunting clubs and associations.

The overall national quota is approved by the minister based on data submitted to the ministry and recorded in the Biodiversity Information System.

The highest proposed quotas are in the Švenčionys District Municipality (214), Varėna District Municipality (205), and Ignalina District Municipality (201).

Hunting seasons for elk vary by sex and age: bulls may be hunted from 15 August to 15 December, cows from 1 October to 30 November, and calves from 1 October to 31 January.