Compensation for crop damage caused by elk

About this program

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture provides compensation to owners of agricultural crops or pasture for damage caused by wild elk, including damage to surrounding fences. Compensation is limited to $20,000 per owner per Minnesota fiscal year, with insurance payments deducted from the eligible claim. Applicants must document each incident, promptly report it to an MDA-approved agent, and obtain verification and assessment of the damage before submitting the claim. First-time recipients must also submit a W-9, and both owner and approved-agent sections of the claim form are required.