Ag panel lays over bill exempting elk from ban on live Cervidae imports

At the peak of their population, elk roamed over more than 80% of the state, thriving in Minnesota’s hardwood forests and on its prairies.

Their numbers began to decline in the 1800s when human development led to habitat loss.

But wild elk still exist in three small herds in the state’s northwest corner, and they are farmed by professional elk breeders who sell their meat and other elk byproducts.

These farmers are hurting, says Brenda Hartkopf, because of a 2023 law banning importing Cervidae species (elk, moose, and deer) from any state or province where chronic wasting disease has been detected in these animals in the last five years.

That makes 36 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces off-limits to elk breeders seeking to add new animals and the genetic diversity they bring with them to elk farms, said Hartkopf, office manager with the North American Elk Breeders Association.

“Severely limiting breeding options will have long-term negative impacts on both the diversity and quality of elk produced in Minnesota,” she said.

Rep. Josh Heintzeman (R-Nisswa) sponsors HF4508 to exempt elk from the Cervidae importation ban.

“The elk industry in Minnesota has been struggling, and this would allow them another option to help with the breeding of elk,” Heintzeman said of his bill that was held over by the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee Wednesday.

Since the enactment of the 2023 law, 30% of elk breeders in the state have left the business, Hartkopf said.

She said the elk exemption would not likely endanger existing Minnesota elk, either wild or farmed.

“Elk are more naturally resistant to CWD than other Cervidae species,” she said.

The Department of Natural Resources opposes the bill, said Pat Rivers, DNR deputy director of fish and wildlife.

As of March 2025, chronic wasting disease has not been found in the trio of herds, but Rivers said it’s unwise to take any chances because an outbreak can quickly devastate an elk herd and spread to deer populations.

Plus, he said, an outbreak in captive Cervidae herds can cost the department more than $500,000 per outbreak in testing and surveillance of wild deer.