National Elk Refuge

2015 Elk Hunting

Information and Regulations

2015 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 1

Background

Elk hunt management on the National 

Elk Refuge is designed to achieve 

optimum herd size as determined 

through a cooperative effort between 

National Elk Refuge, Grand Teton 

National Park, and Wyoming Game 

& Fish Department managers. 

General Information

Elk hunting on the National Elk Refuge 

(Hunt Area 77) is permitted from October 

17 through December 18, 2015, unless the 

season for Hunt Area 77 closes earlier.

Ten hunt periods will be available to hunters. 

Hunt periods are generally 1 week long:

■ Period #1: October 17 - 18

(Youth hunt only. See p. 4)

■ Period #2: October 19 - 26

■ Period #3: October 27 - November 3

■ Period #4: November 3 - 10

■ Period #5: November 10 - 17

■ Period #6: November 17 - 24

■ Period #7: November 24 - December 1 ■ Period #8: December 1 - 8

■ Period #9: December 8 - 15

■ Period #10: December 15 - 18

During the hunt application process, 

hunters do not need to apply to hunt in 

a specific unit within the National Elk 

Refuge. Hunters must understand and 

comply with weapons restrictions based 

on the area where they will be hunting. 

“Any Elk” permits will be issued during 

the first two hunt periods only for 

hunters applying with a full price license. 

Cow/Calf only permits will be issued 

for the remaining eight hunt periods 

(October 27 through December 18). 

Web Updates

The National Elk Refuge will post any 

hunting updates on the Refuge’s web 

site at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/

national_elk_refuge/, including information 

on the permit application process, 

alternate permits, drawing times and 

dates, etc. Please check the web site 

for updates throughout the season.

Online Permit Application Process

The application process for National Elk 

Refuge elk hunting permits is conducted 

in cooperation with the Wyoming Game 

& Fish Department Private Lands Public 

Wildlife Access Program. Applications are 

available at http://bit.ly/1jjpFQL. 

A direct link to the permit application web 

site is also provided on the elk hunting 

page of the National Elk Refuge’s web 

site at http://1.usa.gov/1kIXaKi.

Application Information

There are four options for obtaining a 

Refuge elk hunting permit. Each of the 

options is described below. 

Hunters attempting to fill multiple valid 

licenses during the same hunt period only 

need to apply for one Refuge permit.

Option 1: Initial Draw

To apply for an elk hunting permit to hunt 

on the National Elk Refuge, hunters must 

complete an application online (see Online 

Permit Application Process) between 

August 13 – September 25, initially 

applying for only one hunt period. The 

results of the computerized random draw 

will be posted on the application web site by 

11:00 am on September 28. 

Option 2: Leftover Permits

After 11:00 am on September 28, the 

online system will continue to be active to 

allow access to any permits that were not 

issued during the initial random draw. Any 

unissued (leftover) permits will be available 

on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to 

one leftover permit per person, regardless 

of whether or not they were successful 

in the initial September 28 drawing. 

Option 3: Alternate Permits

Alternate permits differ from leftover 

permits; alternate permits do not become 

available until after the season has begun. 

Alternate permits will be issued each 

Monday of the hunt season, excluding the 

first two hunt periods (October 17 – 26). 

To disperse hunters over the hunt 

period, half of the alternate permits 

issued will be valid for Tuesday – Friday 

of the respective hunt period, and the 

remaining half will be valid for Saturday 

– Tuesday of the same hunt period.

Alternate permits will be issued online each 

week through a lottery system that uses a 

computerized random draw. Applicants will 

use the same online system outlined above 

(see Online Permit Application Process). 

Hunters must apply for an alternate permit 

between Friday at 9:00 am and Sunday 

at 11:59 pm MST for the upcoming hunt 

period. Hunters will designate during 

the application process if they want to be 

considered for a Tuesday – Friday or a 

Saturday – Tuesday alternate permit for 

the upcoming hunt period. The results of 

the weekly computerized random draw 

for alternate permits will be posted on the 

application web site by 11:00 am on the 

following Mondays:

■ October 26

■ November 2

■ November 9

■ November 16

■ November 23

■ November 30

■ December 7

■ December 14

The number of alternate permits 

issued will vary, depending on hunter 

harvest rates and participation. 

Individuals who were already 

successful in obtaining any elk permit 

for another hunt period may still 

apply for an alternate permit. 

This blue goose, designed 

by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is 

the symbol of the National 

Wildlife Refuge System.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

28

East Broadway Avenue

Long

Hollow

2015 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 2
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

2015 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 3

Option 4: Daily Field Permits

Later in the season, and generally during 

the last four hunt periods (#7-10), daily 

field permits may be available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Hunters can call 

a recorded message at 307 / 201 5437 to be 

notified if field permits are available. Only 

field permits will be issued on the Refuge 

Road before the 90° turn at Twin Creek.

Daily field permits will give licensed 

hunters immediate access to the 

Refuge hunt once their permit is 

signed. These permits are valid 

for the day of issuance only.

Decisions to issue daily field permits 

will be based on the number of current 

hunters and the safe dispersal of hunters 

and animals. There is no guarantee these 

permits will be available.

Special Regulations for Elk Hunting on the 

National Elk Refuge (Hunt Area 77) 

■ All State of Wyoming hunting regulations 

(available online at http://bit.ly/RUJbqf)

are in effect and will be enforced. 

Hunters must review all regulations prior 

to hunting on the Refuge. Refuge hunting 

permits may be revoked in the event of 

improper hunter conduct or violation of 

regulations, and future Refuge hunting 

privileges could be denied. 

■ Hunters are responsible for knowing 

and observing hunt boundaries (see 

map). Much of the North and South Unit 

hunt boundaries are identified by signs 

and posts. The North Unit hunt area is 

bounded on the west by the Highway 

26/89 fence line and on the north by the 

south bank of the Gros Ventre River 

main channel.

■ The following items must be in the 

hunter’s possession while elk hunting on 

the Refuge: 

1. Refuge elk hunting permit 

2. Valid State elk hunting license 

(excluding limited quota archery only)

3. Hunter Safety Card if required by 

State law

4. Wyoming Conservation Stamp

5. Wyoming Elk Feed Ground Special 

Management Permit

■ The Wyoming Hunter Mentor 

Program is valid on the National Elk 

Refuge. Contact the Wyoming Game 

& Fish Department for further 

information on the program or apply 

at http://bit.ly/1h8HSu8 ■ Persons possessing, transporting, or 

carrying firearms on National Wildlife 

Refuge System lands must comply 

with all provisions of State and local 

law. Persons may only use (discharge) 

firearms in accordance with refuge 

regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific 

refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32). 

■ A permitted elk hunter is allowed 

one assistant to hunt with them. The 

assistant must stay within 50 yards of 

the hunter, unless retrieving. Family 

members under age 18 are exempt from 

this rule. 

■ Hunters are limited to a maximum of 

seven cartridges in possession per day 

per license. 

■ Hunters are only allowed into hunt areas 

on the dates listed on their valid permit.

■ A fluorescent orange exterior garment 

as defined by State regulations must 

be worn by anyone in a hunt area. 

Hunters need to ensure that anyone 

accompanying them is compliant with 

this regulation.

■ Legal shooting times are from one-half 

hour before sunrise to one-half hour after 

sunset. 

■ Certified weed-free livestock feed is 

required on the Refuge.

■ The North and South Unit hunt areas 

each have distinct weapons that are 

allowed. Hunters are responsible for 

knowing which weapons can be used in 

the hunt area they are accessing.

South Unit

– Hunters in the archery only area are 

restricted to and must carry archery 

equipment only. 

– Hunters present in the limited range 

weapons area must carry and are 

restricted to handguns, muzzleloading 

rifles, shotguns with slugs, and archery 

equipment as defined by the Wyoming 

Game & Fish Department.

– All handguns must meet the Wyoming 

Game & Fish Department’s definition 

of a legal firearm for the taking of big 

game and must use straight-walled 

cartridges with a barrel length no 

longer than 12 inches.

North Unit

North Unit hunters may hunt with any 

legal weapon as defined by the Wyoming 

Game & Fish Department for the taking 

of big game.

Prohibited activities include:

■ Parking along Refuge roads.

■ Intentional herding, harassment, or 

moving of animals.

■ Target or practice shooting. 

■ Shooting wildlife other than elk. 

■ Shooting from within parking areas or 

Refuge roads. 

■ Overnight camping or parking, including 

in the parking lots or hunt areas.

■ Use or possession of alcoholic beverages 

while hunting.

■ Collection of specimens, including but not 

limited to antlers, skulls, and artifacts.

Additional Regulations for Archery 

Hunting on the Refuge

■ Archery hunters on the Refuge must 

wear a fluorescent orange exterior 

garment as defined by State regulations.

■ Archery hunters are exempt from the 

hunter safety certificate requirement.

■ Hunters within the archery only hunt 

area (see map) must maintain a minimum 

distance of 200 yards from residences.

Refuge Access and Travel

■ The main access to and from Refuge elk 

hunt areas is through the main Refuge 

entrance at the end of East Broadway 

Avenue in Jackson. 

■ Additional parking areas at Milepost 

1.1 and 2.3 on the Gros Ventre Road are 

available for Refuge elk hunters pursuing 

elk with a valid license. However, 

retrieval of elk will not be permitted back 

to the Gros Ventre Road parking areas.

■ For the 2015 hunt season, elk hunters 

may use the Highway 89 Pedestrian 

Access gate. However, elk hunters should 

not park in the gate area. 

■ Vehicles parked on the Refuge must be in 

a designated hunt parking area.

■ Hunters may not exit vehicles or be 

dropped off on roads between hunt 

parking areas. 

■ Several of the designated South Unit 

hunter parking areas are outside of the 

hunt boundary. Hunters must travel on 

the direct access route from the parking 

lot into the hunt area (see map). Other 

areas of the Refuge outside of the hunt 

boundaries are closed to hunter access 

and use, including elk retrieval. 

■ Driving off designated roads is 

prohibited. 

■ Horses and bicycles are permitted in a 

hunt area, but bicycles must remain on 

designated retrieval roads.

■ ATVs must be registered, insured, and 

operated by a licensed driver. ATVs may 

only be driven on Refuge roads to one 

of the hunter parking areas and are not 

allowed on Refuge retrieval roads.

■ Bear spray is recommended for all 

persons participating in the Refuge hunt 

program.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

2015 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 4

Youth Hunters 

A special youth elk hunt is held in both the 

North and South Units during the first hunt 

period (October 17-18). During this time, 

permits for the North Unit will be issued 

only to youths age 12-17. Youths must be 

accompanied by an experienced non-hunting 

adult during the special youth elk hunt and 

will be subject to State and Refuge 

regulations. 

During all other weeks of the elk hunting 

season:

■ Youths age 12 - 13 may hunt in the 

North Unit if they are accompanied by 

an experienced hunting or non-hunting 

adult.

■ Youths age 14 - 17 may hunt in the North 

Unit and do not need to be accompanied 

by an adult.

■ Youths age 12 - 17 may hunt in the 

South Unit if they are accompanied by 

an experienced hunting or non-hunting 

adult.

Retrieval of Harvested Animals

The following information will assist 

successful hunters in retrieval of elk: 

■ Designated retrieval roads will be open 

to vehicle travel to retrieve elk from 

10:00 am until dark. 

■ Elk should be dragged to the nearest 

retrieval road (see map). Hunters must 

return by the most direct route to the 

parking lot. 

■ If a hunter’s animal crosses from the 

National Forest onto the Refuge, or if 

retrieval would be more efficient 

through the Refuge, hunters should 

call the National Elk Refuge hunt line 

at 307 / 201 5437 and leave a message 

detailing their situation and plan for 

recovery. Following that, the hunter 

may move the animal with consideration 

to limiting resource damage. 

■ Note that retrieval of elk to Gros Ventre 

Road parking areas is not allowed. Hunters 

must relocate their vehicles to within the 

Refuge boundary to retrieve an animal. 

■ Successful hunters may not transport 

other hunters into a hunt area. Only the 

successful hunter and helper(s) may be in 

the vehicle. 

■ The Refuge will not maintain wheeled 

carts and sleds to assist hunters. Any 

available equipment will be at the Miller 

Barn for use on a first-come, first-served 

basis. 

■ Hunters must move all animal parts 

(gut piles and carcasses) to at least 

100 feet from parking areas.

■ Commercial retrieval services may be 

available for a fee. Current businesses 

authorized to operate on the Refuge 

are Double Diamond Tag-n-Drag 

(307 / 413 7226) and Treferen Outfitters 

(307 / 883 3400).

■ Ear tags and radio collars from harvested 

animals must be returned to the 

Administrative Offices. 

■ Refuge roads or parking areas may be 

temporarily closed due to inclement 

weather or management considerations.

Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance

The Wyoming Game & Fish Department 

will be conducting Chronic Wasting 

Disease surveillance again this season. 

Results from samples submitted by 

hunters can be tracked online. Contact 

patrol officers for further information.

Harvest Reports

A blank harvest report for the National Elk 

Refuge will be provided with your permit. 

Your completed harvest information is 

critical to the Refuge’s hunting program. 

Please return the harvest report to one 

of the locations listed on the document.

Hunters with Disabilities

The National Elk Refuge encourages 

hunters with disabilities to participate 

in the elk hunt program and 

seeks to afford them reasonable 

accommodation for the activity.

Hunters who have both a Wyoming Game 

& Fish Department Permanently Disabled 

Hunter Permit and a National Elk Refuge 

permit are eligible to reserve a designated 

accessible hunt site. Reservations must 

be made at the Refuge Administrative 

Offices at 675 E. Broadway in Jackson. 

The reservation will be valid for the 

length of the permit. The Wyoming Game 

& Fish Department disabled hunter 

companion permit is valid on the Refuge.

Equal opportunity to participate in and 

benefit from programs and activities of the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available 

to all individuals regardless of physical or 

mental ability. Dial 711 for a free connection 

to the State relay service for TTY and 

voice calls to and from the speech and 

hearing impaired. For more information 

or to address accessibility needs, please 

contact the Refuge staff at 307 / 733 9212, 

or the U.S. Department of the Interior, 

Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C 

Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

Contact Information

Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone 

Visitor Center 

532 North Cache Street 

Jackson, WY 83001 

307 / 734 9378

National Elk Refuge Administrative Office 

PO Box 510 or 675 E. Broadway Avenue 

Jackson, WY 83001 

307 / 733 9212 

www.fws.gov/refuge/national_elk_refuge/

Wyoming Game & Fish Department 

PO Box 67 or 420 North Cache Street 

Jackson, WY 83001 

307 / 733 2321 

Teton Interagency Dispatch 

307 / 739 3301 

Stop Poaching Hotline 1 877 / 943 3847

Double Diamond Tag-n-Drag

307 / 413 7226

Treferen Outfitters

307 / 883 3400

In an emergency, dial 911

For State relay service TTY / Voice: 711 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 

http://www.fws.gov 

For Refuge Information 1 800 / 344 WILD 

June 2015

Refuge Signs

Know Their Meaning

Refuge 

boundary 

sign entry by 

permission 

only.

Area off limits 

to the public 

unless 

otherwise 

specified.

Area open 

to hunting 

at specific 

times.