Kittson County Faces DNR Lawsuit Over Elk Tag
Kittson County (trfnews.i234.me) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has filed a civil lawsuit against county law enforcement officials.
The case was filed on August 7, 2025, in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District Court.
It carries court file number 35-CV-25-109.
The complaint alleges an unauthorized tag came from the sheriff’s office.
The document was called an “Elk Possession Tag.” It followed an elk shooting on private farmland.
The DNR claims only its agency may authorize possession of Minnesota wild animals.
It asks the court to block county officials from issuing similar permits.
DNR Describes January Elk Shooting
According to the complaint, a farmer reported elk damaging hay, beet pulp, and planted crops.
The court filing identifies the farmer only as C.C.
The filing alleges a county official discussed shooting an elk to protect the property.
Later that month, C.C. reported shooting an elk near stored feed.
The complaint says C.C. was then allowed to keep the animal.
It also alleges that no local criminal charge would be filed.
On February 3, 2025, the sheriff’s office allegedly issued the possession tag.
The document claimed to allow possession of the dead elk.
The DNR says C.C. lacked a state elk license and a valid tag.
The agency also says it received no immediate report about the shooting.
DNR Learned About Tag in April
The complaint says the DNR learned about the incident in April 2025.
A conservation officer contacted the sheriff’s office on April 8.
County officials later provided information and an incident report, according to the filing.
The lawsuit argues elk are protected wild animals under Minnesota law.
State law tightly controls elk hunting, licenses, seasons, and possession.
Readers can review Minnesota’s official elk hunting information.
The state’s specific elk law appears in Minnesota Statute 97B.515.
Court Asked to Block Future Tags
The DNR seeks a writ of quo warranto.
That legal action can challenge powers claimed by a public official.
The agency also seeks a ruling that county officials cannot issue wildlife tags.
It wants a court order blocking future permits for elk and other wild animals.
The complaint contains allegations that have not been decided by a judge.
No court ruling was included with the filing.
Public documents may be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
