Herd size management is a National Elk Refuge objective, and hunting helps to serve this objective and provide wildlife-dependent recreation to hunters. Hunters should review all regulations and maps prior to hunting on the refuge.

 

2009 North Unit Elk Hunting Information and Regulations

Hunters are responsible for reading the National Elk Refuge hunting information and regulations specific to the hunt area where they are permitted and have them available while hunting on the refuge.

Complete regulations for the 2009 North Unit Elk Hunt can be found in the following National Elk Refuge hunting brochure:
2009 North Unit Elk Hunting Information and Regulations brochure (PDF Format)

Hard copies of the 2009 North Unit Elk Hunting Information and Regulations brochure (above) are available at the following Jackson, Wyoming locations:

Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center
532 North Cache Street

National Elk Refuge Headquarters
675 E. Broadway

Wyoming Game & Fish Department
420 North Cache Street

General Information
Firearm hunting of elk on the National Elk Refuge is permitted from October 10 through December 13, 2009, unless the Area 77 season closes earlier. Archery hunting is restricted to the south unit limited range weapon hunt only.

Nine hunt periods will be available to hunters. Hunt periods are one week long, running from Saturday through Friday of the designated week, with the exception of Week #9 which includes two extra days:
Week #1: October 10–16
Week #2: October 17–23
Week #3: October 24–30
Week #4: October 31–November 6
Week #5: November 7–13
Week #6: November 14–20
Week #7: November 21–27
Week #8: November 28–December 4
Week #9: December 5–13

“Any Elk” permits will be issued during the first hunt period (October 10–16); “Antlerless Only” permits will be issued for the remaining eight hunt periods (October 17 through December 13.) Note: Limited quota cow/calf licenses (Type 6) are excluded during “Any Elk” week.

Application Information
Refuge permits are no longer distributed at a weekly Friday night drawing in Jackson where hunters must be present. To apply for an elk hunting permit to hunt on the National Elk Refuge, hunters must complete an application on-line between August 11–September 22, initially applying for only one hunt period per hunt unit. Persons with a north unit hunt permit are ineligible for a south unit hunt permit for the same hunt period and should not apply. The results of the computerized random draw will be posted on the application web site on September 29.

On September 29, the on-line system will continue to be active to allow access to any leftover permits. Any unissued permits will be available beginning September 29 through the same on-line application system on a first-come, first-served basis. Persons who were successful for one hunt period on the September 29 drawing may reapply for a first-come, first-served leftover permit valid for another hunt period.

On-Line Web Site
Application for National Elk Refuge permits is in cooperation with the Wyoming Game & Fish Private Lands Public Wildlife Access program. The web site address is 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 listed above, click here.

Alternate Permits
Alternate permits for the north unit elk hunt will be available for each week of the hunt season, excluding the first hunt period of October 10–16. The number of north unit alternate permits available includes:
October 10–16: no alternates
October 17–23: 100 alternates
October 24–30: 100 alternates
October 31–November 6: 100 alternates
November 7–13: 100 alternates
November 14–20: 100 alternates
November 21–27: 100 alternates
November 28–December 4: 100 alternates
December 5–13: 60 alternates

Half of the issued alternate permits will be valid for Monday through Friday of the respective week, with the remaining half valid for Wednesday through Friday of the same week.

Alternate permits will be available through the same on-line system on a first-come, first-served basis, including persons who have already been successful for another hunt period.

Alternate permits for the north unit elk hunt will be issued on-line at 9:00 am Mountain Time on Mondays and Wednesdays from October 19 through December 9. Alternate permits are usually distributed quickly, often within minutes of the 9:00 am time they become available. A drop-down menu will not confirm when all the available permits have been issued. If the National Elk Refuge is not listed on the drop-down menu, all permits have been issued for that hunt period.
Web Updates

The National Elk Refuge will regularly post all hunting updates on this web link, including information on the permit application process, alternate permits, drawing times and dates, etc. Please check the web site for updates throughout the season.

Hunt Reports
A blank hunt report for the National Elk Refuge will be provided with the license. Your hunt information is critical to the refuge’s hunting program. Please return the hunt report to one of the locations listed on the document.

Youth Hunt
During the first two days of the first hunt period, October 10–11, the “Any Elk” permits will be issued only to youths age 12–17 to provide diversification and promote ethical behavior in beginning hunters on the refuge. Youths must be accompanied by an experienced non-hunting adult and will be subject to State and Refuge regulations.

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 site on a first-come, first-served basis at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center at 532 N. Cache Street in Jackson. A hunter with a disability who does not have a reservation may use a designated site if the site is not occupied or reserved.

South Unit Limited Range Weapons Hunt
An antlerless elk hunt on the south end of the National Elk Refuge with limited range weapons was added in 2007.

Persons with a north unit elk hunting refuge permit are ineligible for a south unit permit for the same hunt period and should not apply.

Additional Information
Permit holders with two valid Wyoming elk 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.

Legal shooting times are ½ hour before sunrise through ½ hour after sunset. Hunters are responsible for knowing the legal shooting hours.

The Wyoming Game & Fish Department will be conducting Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance again this season. Results from samples submitted by hunters can be tracked on-line. Contact patrol officers for further information.

Contact Information
For questions or additional information, please visit or call one of the following Jackson locations:

Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center
532 North Cache Street
(307) 734–9378

National Elk Refuge Headquarters PO Box 510
675 E. Broadway
(307) 733–9212

Wyoming Game & Fish Department
420 North Cache Street
(307) 733–2321

2009 South Unit Limited Range Weapons Elk Hunting Information and Regulations

Hunters are responsible for reading the National Elk Refuge hunting information and regulations specific to the hunt area where they are permitted and have them available while hunting on the refuge.

Complete regulations for the 2009 South Unit Elk Hunt can be found in the following National Elk Refuge hunting brochure:
2009 South Unit Limited Range Weapons Elk Hunting Information and Regulations brochure (PDF Format)

Hard copies of the 2009 South Unit Limited Range Weapons Elk Hunting Information and Regulations brochure (above) are available at the following Jackson, Wyoming locations:

Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center
532 North Cache Street

National Elk Refuge Headquarters
675 E. Broadway

Wyoming Game & Fish Department
420 North Cache Street


General Information
Hunting of antlerless elk on the south unit of the National Elk Refuge with limited range weapons is permitted from October 10 through December 13, 2009, unless the Area 77 season closes earlier.

The additional south unit hunt was added in 2007 to focus on the Grand Teton National Park segment of the Jackson elk herd which typically congregates on the south end of the refuge during October and November. The limited range weapons restriction provides safer conditions for areas bordering the refuge.

Limited range weapons include muzzle loading rifles and archery equipment as defined by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, or shotguns with slugs. Rifles shooting black powder cartridges
are prohibited.

Nine hunt periods will be available to hunters. Hunt periods are one week long, running from Saturday through Friday of the designated week, with the exception of Week #9 which includes two extra days:
Week #1: October 10–16
Week #2: October 17–23
Week #3: October 24–30
Week #4: October 31–November 6
Week #5: November 7–13
Week #6: November 14–20
Week #7: November 21–27
Week #8: November 28–December 4
Week #9: December 5–13

“Antlerless Only” permits are the only permits available for the south unit hunt.

Application Information
A refuge hunting permit specific for the south unit is required.

Refuge permits are no longer distributed at a weekly Friday night drawing in Jackson where hunters must be present. To apply for an elk hunting permit to hunt on the National Elk Refuge, hunters must complete an application on-line between August 11–September 22, initially applying for only one hunt period per hunt unit. Persons with a south unit hunt permit are ineligible for a north unit hunt permit for the same hunt period and should not apply. The results of the computerized random draw will be posted on the application web site on September 29.

On September 29, the on-line system will continue to be active to allow access to any leftover permits. Any unissued permits will be available beginning September 29 through the same on-line application system on a first-come, first-served basis. Persons who were successful for one hunt period on the September 29 drawing may reapply for a first-come, first-served leftover permit valid for another hunt period.

On-Line Web Site
Application for National Elkrefuge permits is in cooperation with the Wyoming Game & Fish Private Lands Public Wildlife Access program. The web site address is 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 listed above, click here.

Alternate Permits
Alternate permits for the south unit elk hunt will be available for each week of the hunt season. The number of south unit alternate permits available includes:
October 10–16: 20 alternates
October 17–23: 20 alternates
October 24–30: 20 alternates
October 31–November 6: 20 alternates
November 7–13: 20 alternates
November 14–20: 20 alternates
November 21–27: 20 alternates
November 28–December 4: 20 alternates
December 5–13: 20 alternates

Half of the issued alternate permits (10 permits) will be valid for Monday through Friday of the respective week, with the remaining half (10 permits) valid for Wednesday through Friday of the same week.

Alternate permits will be available through the same on-line system on a first-come, first-served basis, including persons who have already been successful for another hunt period.

Alternate permits for the south unit elk hunt will be issued on-line at 9:00 am Mountain Time on Mondays and Wednesdays from October 12 through December 9. Alternate permits are usually distributed quickly, often within minutes of the 9:00 am time they become available. A drop-down menu will not confirm when all the available permits have been issued. If the National Elk Refuge is not listed on the drop-down menu, all permits have been issued for that hunt period.

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.

Hunt Reports
A blank hunt report for the National Elk Refuge will be provided with the license. Your hunt information is critical to the refuge’s hunting program. Please return the hunt report to one of the locations listed on the document.

Additional Information
All persons hunting in the south unit must be 18 years of age or older. No specific youth hunt will be designated for the south unit.

Permit holders with two valid Wyoming elk 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.

Legal shooting times are ½ hour before sunrise through ½ hour after sunset. Hunters are responsible for knowing the legal shooting hours. A list of legal shooting times during the hunt season will be posted at the National Elk Refuge Headquarters and the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center.

The Wyoming Game & Fish Department will be conducting Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance again this season. Results from samples submitted by hunters can be tracked on-line. Contact patrol officers for further information.

Contact Information
For questions or additional information, please visit or call one of the following Jackson locations:

Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center
532 North Cache Street
(307) 734–9378

National Elk Refuge Headquarters
PO Box 510
675 E. Broadway
(307) 733–9212

Wyoming Game & Fish Department
420 North Cache Street
(307) 733–2321

Bison Hunting Information

You must have already been successful in the State of Wyoming bison hunt draw to hunt on the National Elk Refuge in 2009.

Hunters are responsible for reading the National Elk Refuge hunting information and regulations specific to the hunt area where they are permitted and have them available while hunting on the refuge.

Complete regulations for the 2009 Bison Hunt can be found in the following National Elk Refuge hunting brochure:
2009 Bison Hunt Information and Regulations (PDF Format)

Hard copies of the 2009 Bison Hunt Information and Regulations brochure (above) are available at the following Jackson, Wyoming locations:

Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center
532 North Cache Street

National Elk Refuge Headquarters
675 E. Broadway

Wyoming Game & Fish Department
420 North Cache Street

Background
Bison hunt management on the National Elk Refuge is designed to reduce the bison population and
achieve herd objectives set in a cooperative effort by National Elk Refuge, Grand Teton National Park, and Wyoming Game & Fish Department managers.

A Record of Decision on the Jackson Bison and Elk Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, signed on April 26, 2007, allows for using a bison hunt as a management tool on the National Elk Refuge to lower bison numbers, increase their distribution, reduce potential disease transmission, and reduce damage to critical habitat. The document was developed over a nine-year period and included extensive public input and interagency collaboration.

General Information
Hunting of bison on the National Elk Refuge is permitted from September 1, 2009 through January 3, 2010. Bison hunting licenses are issued through the State of Wyoming. Individuals who have
not already applied and been selected for the 2009 season are ineligible to hunt bison on the refuge this year. A refuge-specific bison hunting permit is required and will be provided with the State license.

The following are required and must be carried while hunting:
-Refuge bison hunting permit
-Valid State of Wyoming Bison Hunting License
-Valid Hunter Safety or Instructor Card or certificate for persons born after January 1, 1966
-Wyoming Conservation Stamp

Elk hunting on the National Elk Refuge is permitted from October 10 through December 13, 2009, unless the Area 77 season closes earlier. Retrieval of harvested elk is prohibited prior to 2:00 pm. Because bison hunters may retrieve their harvested animal any time during the day, consideration should be given to elk hunters utilizing the same or adjoining refuge hunt areas prior to 2:00 pm.

Hunters are responsible for knowing the hunt boundaries.


Additional Information
Hunters need to collect biological samples from harvested animals. Instructions are provided by State wildlife managers. For further information, contact the Wyoming Game & Fish Department.

Hunters should take personal safety precautions to reduce the risk of infection with brucellosis by wearing rubber / latex gloves while field dressing bison.

Hunters are encouraged to make prior arrangements for retrieving and field dressing carcasses in order to expedite the process, thus reducing spoilage of meat. This is critical during periods of warm weather. Commercial retrieval services are available for a fee on the refuge. Ask patrol officers for contact information.

During periods of very high or extreme fire danger, a water source or fire extinguisher combined with a shovel is recommended for each vehicle.

 

Available Retrieval and Guide Services

Commercial Retrieval Services
Several commercial retrieval services are available for a fee to assist hunters with collecting their animals from refuge hunt areas. The following retrieval services are permitted to operate on the National Elk Refuge:

Mill Iron Ranch
Phone: 307.733.6390
Cell: 307.690.4533 or 307.690.7114

T Lazy T Outfitters
Phone: 307.733.4481
Cell: 307.690.4481

Double Diamond Outfitters
Phone: 307.413.7226
Email: info@tagndrag.com

Guide Services
Two commercial operations have been selected by the National Elk Refuge to provide hunting guide services on the refuge. The following professional guide services are permitted to operate on the National Elk Refuge during the 2009 bison and elk hunting seasons:

Double Diamond Outfitters
Phone: 307.413.7226
Email: info@tagndrag.com

T Lazy T Outfitters
Phone: 307.733.4481
Cell: 307.690.4481