2016 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 

15 through December 16, 2016, 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 15 - 16

 (Youth hunt only. See p. 4)

 Period #2: October 17 - 24

 Period #3: October 25 - November 1

 Period #4: November 1 - 8

 Period #5: November 8 - 15

 Period #6: November 15 - 22

 Period #7: November 22 - 29

 Period #8: November 29 -December 6 

 Period #9: December 6 - 13

 Period #10: December 13 - 16

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 25 through December 16). Hunters in the Limited Range 

Weapons hunt area are limited to antlerless 

only elk during all 10 hunt periods. 

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 Access Yes 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 15 – 

September 23, 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 26. 

Option 2: Leftover Permits

After 11:00 am on September 26, 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 26 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 15 – 24). 

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 24

 October 31

 November 7

 November 14

 November 21

 November 28

 December 5

 December 12

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. 

Option 4: Daily Field Permits

Later in the season, and generally during the 

last four hunt periods (November 22-December 16), daily field permits may be available 

on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters 

can call a recorded message at 307 / 201 5437 

to be notified if field permits are available. 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Information and Regulations

National Elk Refuge

2016 Elk Hunting

This blue goose, designed 

by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is 

the symbol of the National 

Wildlife Refuge System.
Elk Hunt Areas

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

2016 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 2

#

Archery

Only

Limited

 Range

 Weapons

Limited

Range

Weapons

(retrieval

equipment

storage)

Pump 21 House

Highway 89

Pedestrian

Access

A

Archery 

Only Elk 

Hunt Area

Limited

Range

Weapons

Elk Hunt Area Area Closed

to Hunting

and Hunter 

Access

2016 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 2

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge
Only field permits will be issued on the 

Refuge Road near 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 https://wgfd.wyo.

gov/regulations 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 Any Weapon and Limited 

Range Weapons hunt boundaries are 

identified by signs and posts. The Any 

Weapon 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 

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Education/

HunterMentor-Program 

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 Any Weapon and Limited Range 

Weapons 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.

Limited Range Weapons Area

– 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.

Any Weapon Area

Hunters in the Any Weapon area 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.

2016 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 3

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 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 2016 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 Limited Range 

Weapons 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
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

Trefren 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 

August 2016

2016 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 4

Youth Hunters 

A special youth elk hunt is held in both the Any 

Weapon and Limited Range Weapons hunt 

areas during the first hunt period (October 

15-16). During this time, permits for the Any 

Weapon area 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 Any 

Weapon hunt area if they are accompanied 

by an experienced hunting or non-hunting 

adult.

Youths age 14 - 17 may hunt in the Any 

Weapon hunt area and do not need to be 

accompanied by an adult.

Youths age 12 - 17 may hunt in the Limited 

Range Weapons hunt area 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 Trefren 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 

hunting 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.

Refuge Signs

Know Their Meaning

Refuge 

boundary 

sign entry by 

permission 

only.

Area open 

to hunting 

at specific 

times.

Area off limits 

to the public 

unless 

otherwise 

specified.

PUBLIC

HUNTING

AREA Limited public

hunting under

Federal and

State laws

Consult Manager for current

regulations.

AREA

CLOSED

BEYOND

THIS

SIGN

All public entry prohibited

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge