2017 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 1

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Information and Regulations

National Elk Refuge

2017 Elk Hunting

This blue goose, designed 

by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is 

the symbol of the National 

Wildlife Refuge System.

New for the 2017 Elk Hunting Season:

The Youth Only Hunt is now Thursday, 

Friday, and Saturday of Thanksgiving 

weekend (see Section 14).

Horses can no longer be used for hunting 

south of Flat Creek (see Section 6; 

Transportation Related Activities).

Field-issued Refuge permits are offered 

through a new process (see Section 4; 

Option 4)

1. Who manages hunting on the 

National Elk Refuge (NER)?

Hunting on the NER is managed through 

a cooperative effort between the NER, 

Grand Teton National Park, and Wyoming 

Game & Fish Department (WGFD), with 

the goal of achieving optimum herd size. 

The NER posts information and updates 

related to the Refuge and Refuge hunting 

programs on its website: http://www.

fws.gov/refuge/national_elk_refuge

2. What must I possess to hunt elk on 

the NER? 

■ NER permit for elk hunting 

■ WGFD elk hunting license 

■ WGFD Conservation Stamp 

■ WGFD Elk Special Management 

Permit 

■ Hunter Safety Certificate (if required 

by WGFD)

3. What are the 2017 elk hunting periods? 

Elk hunting on the NER (Hunt Area 

77) is scheduled from October 14, 

2017 to December 15, 2017. Hunt 

periods 1 and 6 allow for the taking 

of no more than one bull elk. All 

other periods are “cow/calf” only. 

■ Period 1: October 14 – October 23 

■ Period 2: October 24 – October 30 

■ Period 3: October 31 – November 6

■ Period 4: November 7 – November 13

■ Period 5: November 14 – November 22

■ Period 6: November 23 – 25 

“Youth Only Hunt”

■ Period 7: November 26 – November 27 

■ Period 8: November 28 - December 4 

■ Period 9: December 5 – December 11

■ Period 10: December 12 – December 15

4. How do I get a Refuge permit for elk 

hunting?

The application process for a NER 

permit for elk hunting is done online 

via the WGFD Access Yes! Hunter 

Management Area Program at (https://

wgfd.wyo.gov/plpwfrontend2008/). There 

are four options for obtaining a Refuge 

permit to hunt elk. There are four 

options for obtaining a Refuge permit 

to hunt elk.Note that only youth hunters 

applying with a full-price license will be 

able to apply for hunt period 6.

Option 1: Initial Draw Refuge Permits

To enter the initial draw, hunters must 

complete the online WGFD Access 

Yes! application between August 1 and 

September 25, entering the drawing 

for one hunt period. Results of the 

drawing will be posted on the application 

website by 8:00 am on September 27. 

Option 2: Leftover Refuge Permits 

If permits are available, the online 

WGFD Access Yes! Program 

website allows hunters to select one 

leftover permit whether or not they 

were successful in the initial draw, 

after 8:00 am on September 27. 

Option 3: Alternate Draw Refuge Permits 

Alternate draw permits become 

available during hunt period 2 and are 

not available for the Youth Only Hunt. 

Hunters can apply weekly for the 

alternate draw by accessing the online 

WGFD Access Yes! program between 

Friday at 9:00 am and Sunday at 

11:59 pm. During the application process, 

hunters can choose if they want to be 

considered for a Tuesday - Friday or 

a Saturday - Tuesday permit for the 

upcoming hunt period. The results for 

alternate permits will be posted on the 

application website by 8:00 am each 

USFWS

The National Elk Refuge provides winter habitat for elk and bison herds.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

2017 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 2

Jackson National 

Fish Hatchery

Miller 

House

not to 

scale

Pump 

House

Hunt Areas

#

Refuge 

boundary

Federal

highway

Hunt retrieval

loop

Hunt retrieval

spur

Spur road 

numbers

Direct access 

route

Public road

Horse-free 

hunting area 

(south of

Flat Creek)

Visitor 

center

Administrative

ofce

Linked symbols 

designate 

accessible 

features

Parking 

Any weapon 

area

Archery only 

area

Limited range 

area

Area closed

to hunting

and hunter 

access

Area closed to 

hunting and 

hunter access 

until October 20

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

2017 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 3

Monday morning. Hunters who were 

successful in obtaining a Refuge permit 

for another hunt period may still apply 

for an alternate permit. Alternate 

permits for hunt periods 5 and 7 are 

shortened to accommodate the Youth 

Only Hunt.

Option 4: Field-issued Refuge Permits

During hunt periods 8 through 10, 

field-issued Refuge permits are issued 

by random drawing at the Miller House 

parking lot on Tuesday, Thursday, and 

Saturday mornings at 7:00 am. To apply, 

hunters must submit their name and 

valid WGFD elk license number into 

the draw canister and be present at the 

drawing. If drawn, the hunter and one 

assistant will receive Refuge permits to 

hunt that day and the following day. This 

drawing may be delayed or canceled if 

staff is not available and permits may 

not be available due to safety concerns 

related to hunter and animal densities. 

For additional information on field-issued 

Refuge permits, call the NER Hunt 

Information Line at 307 / 201 5437. 

5. What hunting areas can I hunt 

and what are their restrictions? 

Elk hunting is allowed in three hunting 

areas (see map). All hunt areas must be 

accessed from designated parking lots 

or direct access routes that correspond 

to the hunting method permitted 

in that area. All Refuge hunting 

areas have specific restrictions. 

Archery Only Area (Green on map)

Hunters must carry and are restricted 

to possessing only a bow or crossbow 

legal for taking elk as defined by the 

WGFD. Archery hunters are exempt 

from the hunter safety certificate 

requirement. Hunters within the Archery 

Only Area must maintain a minimum 

distance of 200 yards from residences. 

Limited Range Area (Orange on map)

Hunters must carry and are restricted 

to possessing only limited range 

weapons; including handguns, muzzle 

loading rifles, shotguns with slugs, or 

archery equipment legal for taking elk 

as defined by the WGFD. Handguns 

are further restricted to straightwalled cartridges with a barrel 

length no longer than 12 inches. 

Any Weapon Area (Yellow on map)

Hunters may hunt with any legal weapon 

for taking elk as defined by the WGFD.

6. What Refuge specific laws regulate 

hunting on the NER? 

In addition to all Federal and WGFD 

requirements, the following Refuge 

specific regulations are enforced. 

Hunters must be knowledgeable of all 

regulations prior to hunting as violations 

may result in forfeiture of the animal, 

criminal penalties, and permit revocation. 

Hunting-related activities that are illegal 

on the NER:

■ Intentional herding or harassment of 

wildlife. 

■ Discharging firearms other than for 

lawful hunting (i.e. target shooting and 

sighting in). 

■ Indiscriminant shooting, shooting 

multiple times into a running herd, 

or injuring multiple animals.

■ Shooting from parking areas or public 

roads. 

■ Possessing more than seven cartridges 

per license per day.

■ Interfering with or harassing other 

hunters.

■ Using decoys outside of the Archery 

Only area or using blinds that 

completely obstruct visible orange 

garment. 

Transportation related activities that are 

illegal on the NER:

■ Driving over the Refuge speed limit 

of 30 mph.

■ Driving off designated roads. 

■ Stopping or unloading hunters along 

Refuge roads. 

■ Parking outside of designated hunt 

parking lots. 

■ Overnight camping or parking.

■ Bicycling off designated roads. 

■ ATVs are permitted on public roads 

but must be registered, insured, and 

operated by a licensed driver. ATVs and 

snowmobiles are not allowed on Refuge 

retrieval roads. 

■ Horses used for hunting are restricted 

to the Any Weapon Area north of Flat 

Creek (including West Hunt Lot) as 

depicted on the hunt map. Horses are 

allowed Refuge-wide for retrieval 

purposes.

Other related activities that are illegal on 

the NER:

■ Collecting natural or cultural resources, 

including but not limited to antlers, 

skulls, and artifacts. 

■ Possession or use of alcoholic beverages.

■ Possession of non-certified weed-free 

hay. 

■ Starting or maintaining any fires.

7. What are the requirements for 

animal retrieval? 

■ Following harvest, elk hunters 

may use retrieval roads starting at 

10:00 am. If retrieving after dark, 

hunters should notify Refuge staff by 

leaving a message on the NER Hunt 

Information Line.

■ Hunters may not leave animal parts, 

including gut piles and carcasses, within 

100 feet of parking areas.

■ No game retrieval is permitted within 

Grand Teton National Park, including 

the parking areas at Milepost 1.1 and 

2.3. If retrieving to the Hwy 89 lot, 

hunters must bring their vehicle inside 

the gate.

8. What should I do before I pursue an 

injured animal off or onto the NER? 

Prior to December 1st, if an injured 

animal crosses from the National Forest 

onto the Refuge or if retrieval would 

be more efficient through the Refuge, 

hunters should call the NER Hunt 

Information Line and leave a message 

detailing their situation and their plan 

for recovery. Following this notice, 

the hunter may pursue or retrieve the 

animal as planned, giving consideration to 

limiting resource damage. On December 

1st, Forest Service lands adjacent to the 

NER are closed to all human presence 

per Winter Travel Restrictions.

If the injured animal crosses into 

Grand Teton National Park, the 

hunter must immediately notify Teton 

Interagency Dispatch at 307 / 739 3301. 

9. What regulations apply to the 

non-hunting assistants? 

■ Elk hunters are allowed one assistant, 

and must ensure that assistant is 

compliant with all Refuge regulations. 

Youth hunters are allowed additional 

assistants.

■ Assistants must stay within 50 yards of 

the permitted hunter, unless retrieving. 

■ Assistants must wear a fluorescent 

orange exterior garment as defined by 

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

2017 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 4

Accessibility Information 

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 people with hearing and speech 

disabilities. 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

National Elk Refuge (NER) 

Hunt Information Line

307 / 201 5437

National Elk Refuge Administrative Office

PO Box 510 675 E. Broadway Avenue 

Jackson, WY 83001 

307 / 733 9212 

www.fws.gov/refuge/national_elk_refuge/ 

Wyoming Game & Fish Department 

Jackson Office

PO Box 67 420 North Cache Street 

Jackson, WY 83001 

307 / 733 2321 

Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone 

Visitor Center

532 North Cache Street 

Jackson, WY 83001 

Teton Interagency Dispatch 

307 / 739 3301

WGFD Stop Poaching Hotline 

1 877 / 943 3847 

In an emergency, dial 911 

For State relay service TTY / Voice: 711 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 

http://www.fws.gov

National Wildlife Refuge System Hotline 

1 800 / 344 WILD 

September 2017

10. What else do I need to know? 

■ Hunters may fill up to three WGFD 

elk licenses on a single NER permit.

■ Hunters are only allowed in hunt areas 

when they have a Refuge permit and a 

valid matching license. 

■ Refuge roads or parking areas may be 

closed or inaccessible due to inclement 

weather or management decisions.

■ Harvest Reports are included with 

every Refuge permit and must be 

completed for each hunt period 

drawn whether successful or not. 

Directions for submission are on the 

Harvest Report.

■ Use of non-lead ammunition is 

encouraged.

■ During high fire danger, a fire 

extinguisher and shovel is 

recommended.

■ Bear spray is recommended. 

11. What guide and retrieval companies 

are permitted to operate on the NER? 

Commercial guiding and retrieval services 

may be available. Double Diamond Tagn-Drag is the only business currently 

authorized to operate on the NER and can 

be reached by phone at 307 / 248 1490.

12. Does the NER allow Wyoming hunter 

assistance /disabled hunter programs? 

Hunters enrolled in the WGFD 

Hunter Mentor Program may receive 

a Refuge permit.

The NER encourages hunters with 

disabilities to participate in the 

hunt program and offers reasonable 

accommodation for the activity. Hunters 

who have both a WGFD Disabled Hunter 

Permit and a Refuge hunting permit are 

eligible to reserve one of two designated 

hunt sites. Reservations must be made 

at the Refuge Administrative Offices at 

675 E. Broadway in Jackson, WY. The 

reservation is limited to a 4-day period. 

The WGFD Disabled Hunter Companion 

Permit is also valid on the Refuge. 

13. What do I need to know about 

the biological testing of elk? 

Hunters are encouraged to participate 

in a voluntary Chronic Wasting Disease 

(CWD) monitoring program by depositing 

the animal’s head at a collection box or 

allowing a biologist to collect samples in 

the field. Hunters are advised to take 

personal safety precautions by wearing 

rubber gloves while field dressing. All 

ear tags and radio collars from harvested 

animals must be returned to the NER 

or WGFD, Jackson Regional Office. 

14. What do I need to know about 

the Youth Only Hunt?

The Youth Only Hunt will occur 

Thursday, November 23 through 

Saturday, November 25. During this 

hunt, hunters ages 12 through 17 who 

have applied for and received a NER 

permit for hunt period 6 may take no 

more than one bull elk with a WGFD full 

price license, and up to two additional 

cow/calf elk with additional licenses. All 

State and Federal regulations apply. 

Per Wyoming Statute, Any hunter ages 

12 and 13 years old shall at all times be 

accompanied by an adult who possesses 

and can exhibit a hunter safety certificate, 

or who currently holds or has been issued 

a Wyoming big game hunting license 

within the last five years. If the person 

who is accompanying the hunter under 

the age of fourteen years old is not the 

parent or guardian of the hunter, the 

hunter shall have in their possession a 

permission slip signed by their parent 

or guardian allowing them to hunt 

under supervision. Each accompanying 

adult shall supervise only one hunter 

under the age of fourteen years. 

15. What can I do if I have additional 

questions? 

If you have any questions about 

the hunting program on the 

NER please call the NER Hunt 

Information Line at 307 / 201 5437.