2018 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 1

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

National Elk Refuge

2018 Elk Hunting

Information and Regulations

This blue goose, designed 

by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is 

the symbol of the National 

Wildlife Refuge System.

USFWS

The National Elk Refuge provides winter habitat for elk and bison herds.

Note for the 2018 Elk Hunting Season:

The Youth Only Hunt is scheduled for 

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of 

Thanksgiving weekend (see Section 15).

Horses are no longer allowed when 

hunting south of Flat Creek (see Section 

7: Transportation Related Activities).

1. Who manages hunting on the 

National Elk Refuge?

Hunting on the National Elk Refuge

(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. W hat must I have while hunting elk 

on the NER? 

■ NER permit for elk hunting 

■ WGFD unused elk hunting license, 

except Archery Only (type 9). Note a 

full price elk license is required for Hunt 

Periods 1 and 6.

■ WGFD Conservation Stamp 

(if required by WGFD) 

■ WGFD Elk Special Management 

Permit 

■ Hunter Safety Certificate (if required 

by WGFD)

3. W hat are the 2018 elk hunting periods? 

Elk hunting on the NER (Hunt Area 

77) is scheduled from October 13, 2018 to 

December 14, 2018. Only Hunt Periods 1 

and the Youth Only Hunt (Hunt Period 7) 

allow for the taking of no more than one 

bull elk. All other periods are restricted 

to the taking of antlerless elk only. 

■ Period 1: October 13 – October 22 

Any elk; must apply with a full-priced 

license; may harvest no more than one 

bull elk.

■ Period 2: October 23 – 29, 

antlerless elk only 

■ Period 3: October 30 – November 5, 

antlerless elk only

■ Period 4: November 6 – 12, 

antlerless elk only

■ Period 5: November 13 – 19, 

antlerless elk only

■ Period 6: November 20 – 21 

antlerless elk only

■ Period 7: November 22 - 24 Youth 

Only Hunt. Any elk; must apply with 

a full-priced youth license; may harvest 

no more than one bull elk. 

■ Period 8: November 25 – 27, 

antlerless elk only

■ Period 9: November 27 - December 4, 

antlerless elk only

■ Period 10: December 4 – December 10, 

antlerless elk only

■ Period 11: December 11 – December 14, 

antlerless elk only

4. How do I get a permit for hunting elk 

on the NER?

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. 

5. How do I apply?

Note that only youth hunters applying 

with a full-price license will be able to 

apply for Hunt Period 7.

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 21, entering the drawing 

for one hunt period. The results of 

the computerized random draw will 

be posted on the application website 

by 8:00 am on September 25. 
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

2018 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 2

Jackson National 

Fish Hatchery

Hwy 89

Hatchery

Gate

Fishing

Gate

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 

(For Peterson 

& Long Hollow, 

see Section 13.)

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

2018 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 3

Option 2: Leftover Refuge Permits 

If permits are left over from the initial 

draw, the online WGFD Access Yes! 

Program will allow hunters, starting at 

8:00 am on September 25, to select one 

leftover permit, whether or not they 

were successful in the initial draw. 

Option 3: Alternate Draw Refuge Permits 

Alternate permits become available 

beginning Hunt Period 2 and are 

typically valid for four days. 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 week. The results for alternate 

permits will be posted on the application 

website by 8:00 am each Monday 

morning. Hunters who were successful 

in obtaining a Refuge permit for another 

hunt period may still apply for an 

alternate permit each week.Alternate 

permits for Hunt Periods 6 through 

8 are shortened to accommodate the 

Youth Only Hunt.

Option 4: Field-issued Refuge Permits

This option, administered by the National 

Elk Refuge, supplements hunting 

permits during the later Hunt Periods. 

For more information, call the NER 

Hunt Information Line at 307 / 201 5437. 

6. W hat 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 legal 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. 

The archery hunting area along Hwy 89 

may be accessed by either the Fishing 

or Hatchery Gate parking areas. Only 

archery hunters may use these entrances.

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 

straight-walled 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.

7. W hat 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 fluorescent 

orange or fluorescent pink garment. 

Transportation-related activities that are 

illegal on the NER:

■ 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.

8. W hat 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. This 

includes retrieval to Gros Ventre Road 

parking areas at Milepost 1.1 and 2.3 

or across Hwy 89. Hunters must bring 

their vehicle inside the gate to load the 

animal at the Hwy 89 lot.

9. What should I do before I pursue an 

injured animal off or onto the NER? 

Prior to December 1, 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 1, 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. 
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

2018 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 4

10. 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 or fluorescent pink exterior 

garment as defined by WGFD 

regulations. 

11. What else do I need to know? 

■ Hunters may fill up to three WGFD 

elk licenses on a single NER permit.

■ Prior to the start date of their hunt 

period, hunters may only access Refuge 

areas open to the general public.

■ 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. 

12. W hat 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.

13. 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. Contact the WGFD for further 

information on these programs.

14. W hat 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. 

15. W hat do I need to know about 

the Youth Only Hunt?

The Youth Only Hunt will occur 

Thursday, November 22 through 

Saturday, November 24. During this 

hunt, hunters ages 12 through 17 who 

have applied for and received a NER 

permit for Hunt Period 7 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 14 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 14 years. 

16. W hat 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.

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 

August 2018