The evolution of   Luckyland Elk

Luckyland Elk was established with a love of the outdoors and a tremendous amount of respect for the majestic and intriguing North American Elk.

It can all be traced back to my attending Montana State University studying for my Architecture degree. My annual week-long solitary back country bow hunt for elk and deer meat established a profound connection with what I loved; The outdoors, the mountains, and a majestic animal. Many years later when I returned to Minnesota and was practicing Architecture, the call of the outdoors remained a part of my life. After living in Montana and spending as much time as I did in the outdoors, living in a city and working in the corporate world made me feel like something was missing in my life. Eventually I was able to find an old dairy farm to purchase so I could get out of the city and spend more time outdoors. It wasn’t long before I realized that I needed to do something with this new investment, but I didn’t know what. I couldn’t afford the capital investment of equipment to crop farm, in addition to not knowing anything about raising crops. I didn’t have the time, money, or desire to milk cows. So I was left with the question of what to do. Around this time I came across some information about people raising Elk behind fence and it made me stop and pause. I determined this was worth looking into, and soon I learned about the many aspects and diversity of products involved in farming elk. Elk antler has been used in eastern medicine for thousands of years, and is the second most common ingredient in their traditional treatment practices after ginseng. The meat from elk is an extremely healthy source of protein which is low in calories, fat, and cholesterol.

I decided this was something I needed to try, and I bought my first bred cows in the winter of 2003-2004, with my first calves born in the summer of 2004. There have been many ups and downs, and I’m sure there will be more going forward, but I know it was a good choice. In 2013 I decided to make a lifestyle change which was an even bigger step than buying my own elk. I decided that quality of life and my family were more important than success in the corporate world, so at Christmas time of 2013 my Christmas present to myself and my family was to resign from my very successful role of VP in a growing Design Build multi-state firm and become a full time elk farmer. What a step that has been! A step toward having the freedom to choose how and when time can be spent with the family, along with all the joys and challenges that brings!

Family Vacation

Lisa and Hannah On a School Field Trip

Luedtke People’s Choice

2016 NAEBA
2-4 year old Velvet Antler
People’s Choice Award
LLE Hulk – Luckyland Elk