2011 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 1

General Information

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. 

In previous seasons, the National Elk 

Refuge has held both a North Unit hunt 

and a South Unit limited range weapons 

hunt, and hunters needed to apply for a 

specific unit during the application process. 

This season, hunters do not need to apply 

for a specific unit. All National Elk 

Refuge permits will be valid for either hunt 

unit, but hunters must understand and 

comply with weapons restrictions based 

on the area where they will be hunting.

See the section entitled “On-Line Permit 

Application” for further information on 

obtaining a permit.

Elk hunting on the National Elk Refuge 

(Hunt Area 77) is permitted from October 

8 through December 11, 2011, unless the 

season for Hunt Area 77 closes earlier. 

Nine hunt periods will be available to 

hunters. Hunt periods are one week long, 

with the exception of Period #2 which 

includes two extra days: 

■ Period #1: October 8 - 14

■ Period #2: October 15 - 23

■ Period #3: October 24 - 30

■ Period #4: October 31 - November 6

■ Period #5: November 7 - 13

■ Period #6: November 14 - 20

■ Period #7: November 21 - 27

■ Period #8: November 28 - December 4

■ Period #9: December 5 - 11

“Any Elk” permits will be issued during 

the first hunt period (October 8 - 14) for 

persons hunting in the North Unit; 

“Antlerless Only” permits will be issued for 

the remaining eight hunt periods (October 

15 through December 11). As in previous 

years, South Unit hunters are limited to 

antlerless only elk during all nine hunt 

periods. Limited quota cow/calf licenses 

(Type 6) are excluded during “Any Elk” 

week.

Application Information

To apply for an elk hunting permit 

to hunt on the National Elk Refuge, 

hunters must complete an application 

on-line (see On-Line Permit Application) 

between August 16 - September 27, 

initially applying for only one hunt 

period. The results of the computerized 

random draw will be posted on the 

application web site by September 30. 

On September 30, the on-line 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. Persons who 

were successful for one hunt period during 

the September 30 drawing may reapply for 

a first-come, first-served leftover permit 

valid for another hunt period.

Permit holders with two valid Wyoming 

elk hunting licenses may use and fill both 

licenses while hunting on the Refuge. 

Hunters attempting to fill two valid 

licenses during the same hunt period do 

not need to apply for two Refuge permits. 

On-Line Permit Application

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://gf.state.wy.us/plpwhmprogram/

frmHunterManagementHome.

aspx. Click on “Apply for, reprint, 

or correct an HMA permission slip” 

to begin the application process. 

For a direct link to the web site, visit the 

National Elk Refuge’s web page at 

http://www.fws.gov/nationalelkrefuge, and 

click on “Apply for a National Elk Refuge 

Elk Hunting Permit.” Hunters do not need 

to distinguish whether they will be hunting 

in the North Unit or the South Unit Limited 

Range Weapons area; a valid permit will be 

applicable for either hunt area.

Alternate Permits

Alternate permits differ from leftover 

permits, because alternate permits do not 

become available until immediately after 

the season has begun and remain available 

at varying times throughout the season. 

These permits help Refuge managers 

ensure that the harvest is adequate to 

achieve the optimum healthy herd size. 

Alternate permits will be available for 

each period of the hunt season, excluding 

the first hunt period of October 8 - 14. 

The number of alternate permits issued 

will vary, depending on hunter harvest 

rates and participation. The approximate 

number of alternate permits available 

includes: 

October 8 - 14: no alternates 

October 15 - 23: 90 alternates

October 24 - 30: 90 alternates

October 31 - November 6: 90 alternates

November 7 - 13: 90 alternates

November 14 - 20: 90 alternates

November 21 - 27: 90 alternates

November 28 - December 4: 50 alternates

December 5 - 11: 50 alternates

Alternate permits will be available on a 

first-come, first-served basis beginning 

at 9:00 am Mountain Time each Monday 

and Wednesday from October 17 through 

December 7. These permits will be issued 

through the same on-line system outlined 

above (See On-Line Permit Application). 

To disperse hunters over the hunt period, 

half of the alternate permits issued will 

be valid for Monday through Friday of 

the respective week, and the remaining 

half will be valid for Wednesday through 

Sunday of the same week. 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Information and Regulations

National Elk Refuge

2011 Elk Hunting

This blue goose, designed 

by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is 

the symbol of the National 

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

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18 17

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Refuge

Boundary

Federal

Highway

Hunt Retrieval

Loop Road

Hunt Retrieval

Spur Road

Hunt Retrieval

Road Sign

South Unit

Direct Access

Route

Public Road

North Unit Elk

Hunt Area

South Unit Archery

Only Elk Hunt Area

South Unit Limited Range

Weapons Elk Hunt Area

Visitor 

Center

Administrative

Office

Accessible

Hunt Site

Parking

Area

Jackson

National

Fish Hatchery

National Elk Refuge

North and South Unit

Elk Hunt Areas

10

26

89

Area Closed

to Hunting

Gros

Ventre

River

Nowlin

Creek

Jackson

East Broadway Avenue

Miles

0 1 2

0 1 2

Kilometers

Flat Creek Road

Miller Butte

To

Jackson

Refuge Road

Curtis Canyon Road

Gros Ventre Road

Long

Hollow

North

Gap

B r i d g e r - Te t o n

N a t i o n a l F o r e s t

G r a n d Te t o n

N a t i o n a l P a r k

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89

Kelly

Bridger-Teton

National Forest

Grand Teton 

National Park Kelly

Jackson

Flat Creek

Gros Ventre River

Refuge Road

Gros Ventre Road

not to scale

N East Broadway Avenue 

Curtis Canyo n

Road

Flat Creek Road

26

89

National Elk

Refuge

26

89

N

Long 

Hollow

Chambers

McBride

Flat

Creek

East

Petersen

South

West

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Ike

Nowlin

Miller

Barn

Pump

House

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Curtis

North Unit

South

Unit

South

Unit

South

Unit

2011 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 2
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

2011 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 3

Individuals who were already successful in 

obtaining a permit for another hunt period 

may still apply for an alternate permit. 

Alternate permits are usually distributed 

quickly, often within minutes of the 9:00 am 

time they become available. If the National 

Elk Refuge is not listed on the drop-down 

menu on the application web site, all permits 

have been issued for that hunt period.

Special Regulations for Elk Hunting on the 

National Elk Refuge (Hunt Area 77) 

 All State of Wyoming hunting 

regulations (available online at 

http://gf.state.wy.us/admin/Regs/index.

asp) are in effect and will be enforced. 

Hunters must review all regulations 

prior to hunting on the 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: 

- Refuge elk hunting permit 

- Valid State hunting license 

- Valid Hunter Safety or Instructor Card 

or certificate for persons born on or 

after January 1, 1966

- Wyoming Conservation Stamp

- Wyoming Elk Feed Ground Special 

Management Permit

 Legal shooting times are from one-half 

hour before sunrise to one-half hour after 

sunset.

 Fluorescent orange exterior garments 

as defined by State regulations must be 

worn by anyone in a hunt area. 

 Only one person without a permit may 

accompany a hunter and must stay with 

the hunter at all times. 

 Persons may only discharge firearms 

while actively hunting with a valid 

Refuge permit in accordance with refuge 

regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific 

refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32). 

 Hunters are limited to a maximum of 

seven cartridges in possession per day 

per license in either hunt unit. 

 Certified weed-free livestock feed is 

required on the Refuge.

 Hunters are only allowed into hunt areas 

on the dates listed on their valid permit.

 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

–South Unit hunters are restricted to 

limited range weapons, including muzzleloading rifles and archery equipment as 

defined by the Wyoming Game & Fish 

Department, or shotguns with slugs. 

–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.

–Using rifles that shoot black powder 

cartridges is prohibited in the South 

Unit. 

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, including 

rifles, hand guns, black powder 

firearms, and archery equipment. 

Prohibited activities include:

 Parking along Refuge roads

 Pursuing or following elk by vehicle, 

including between parking areas 

 Target or practice shooting

 Shooting wildlife other than elk without 

a permit

 Shooting from 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

 In addition to a valid Wyoming elk 

license, a Wyoming archery hunting 

license is required for all persons archery 

hunting on the Refuge.

 Archery hunters on the Refuge must 

wear a fluorescent orange exterior 

garment as defined by State regulations.

 Hunters within the archery only hunt 

area (see map) must maintain a minimum 

distance of 200 yards from residences.

Refuge Access and Travel

 Access to Refuge elk hunt areas is 

only allowed through the main Refuge 

entrance at the end of East Broadway 

Avenue in Jackson. 

 Additional access points on North 

Highway 89 and the Gros Ventre Road 

are for use by permitted bison hunters 

only and cannot be used by hunters 

pursuing elk.

 Vehicles must be parked in one of the 

designated hunter parking areas on the 

Refuge. 

 Hunters may not exit vehicles on roads 

between hunter parking areas. 

 Most 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.

 Motorized vehicle travel in a hunt area 

is prohibited except as noted in the 

section entitled “Retrieval of Harvested 

Animals.” 

 Horses and bicycles are permitted in a 

hunt area, but bicycles must remain on 

designated retrieval roads.

 ATVs must be titled and licensed and 

may only be driven on Refuge roads to 

one of the hunter parking areas. ATVs 

are not allowed on Refuge retrieval roads.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

2011 Elk Hunting Information and Regulations Page 4

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 

675 E. Broadway 

Jackson, WY 83001 

307 / 733–9212 

307 / 733 9729 fax

http:www.fws.gov/nationalelkrefuge

Wyoming Game & Fish Department 

420 North Cache Street 

Jackson, WY 83001 

307 / 733–2321 

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 

July 2011 

Youth Hunting

A special youth elk hunt is held in both 

the North and South Units during the first 

2 days of the first hunt period, October 8 - 9, 

when permits for the North Unit will be 

issued only to youths age 12 - 17. All 

hunters, including youths, are restricted to 

antlerless only elk while hunting in the 

South Unit. 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 but 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.

Additional age restrictions required by the 

State of Wyoming are in effect and will be 

enforced.

Retrieval of Harvested Animals

The following information will assist 

successful hunters in retrieval of elk: 

 Retrieval of harvested elk may not occur 

before 2:00 pm. Designated retrieval 

roads will be open to vehicle travel to 

retrieve elk from 2:00 pm to dark. 

 Elk should be dragged to the nearest 

retrieval road (see map). Hunters must 

return by the most direct route to the 

parking lot. Driving off designated roads 

is prohibited. 

 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 has wheeled carts and sleds 

available on a first- come, first-served 

basis at the Miller Barn in order to assist 

hunters.

 Commercial retrieval services are 

available for a fee. Current businesses 

authorized to operate on the Refuge 

are posted on the bulletin board at the 

Administrative Office.

 Ear tags and radio collars from 

harvested animals should be returned to 

the Administrative Office. 

 Refuge roads or parking areas may be 

temporarily closed due to inclement 

weather or management considerations.

Web Updates

The National Elk Refuge will regularly post 

all hunting updates on the Refuge’s web site 

at http://www.fws.gov/nationalelkrefuge/

NERHuntingRegs.htm, including 

information on the permit application 

process, alternate permits, drawing times 

and dates, etc. Please check the web site 

for updates throughout the season.

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 Disabled Hunter Permit and a 

National Elk Refuge permit are eligible to 

reserve a designated accessible hunt site. 

Reservations can be made at the Jackson 

Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor 

Center at 532 N. Cache Street in Jackson. 

A hunter with a Disabled Hunter Permit 

who does not have a reservation may use 

a designated accessible hunt site if the 

site is not occupied or reserved, but must 

comply with the Elk Hunting Procedures 

for Persons with Physical Disabilities 

(available at the Visitor Center). 

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.

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 on-line. Contact 

patrol officers for further information.

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