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 Hunt Season Update

• 70 hunt permits for the north unit and 20 hunt permits for the south unit will be distributed for the first eight hunt periods via the on-line system.
• 40 hunt permits for the north unit and 20 hunt permits for the south unit will be distributed for the ninth hunt period via the on-line system.
• Hunt periods will one week long, running from Saturday through Friday of the designated week.
• 100 alternate permits will be available through the on-line system during each hunt period, with 50 valid for Monday through Friday of the respective week, and the remaining 50 valid for Wednesday through Friday. More information on obtaining alternate permits will be posted here later in the season.
• Disabled hunter parking reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center at 532 North Cache in Jackson. The visitor center is open daily from 9 am-5 pm during the hunting season.

 

General Elk Hunt Information

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

The 2009 Elk Hunt Season will run from October 10 through December 13. Nine hunt periods will be available to hunters:
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

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 in 2009, interested persons must complete an on-line application between August 11 through September 22. Hunters must initially apply for only one hunt period per hunt unit. Hunt periods are one week long, running from Saturday through Friday of the designated week. The results of the computerized random draw will be available the application web site on September 23. The system will continue to be active to allow access to leftover and alternate permits.

After the random draw on September 23, any unissued permits will be available through the same online system on a first-come, first serve basis, including persons who were successful for another hunt period during the initial drawing.

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

Alternate permits will be available for each week of the hunt season, excluding the first north unit hunt period of October 10– 16. The alternate permits will be available through the same online system on a first-come, first-served basis, including persons who were successful for another hunt period in the September 23 drawing. More information on alternate permits will be posted here later in the summer.

2008 Refuge Elk Hunting Regulations & Map (PDF Format) For general information only.
2009 Refuge Elk Hunting Regulations & Map will be posted here later in the summer.

Youth Hunt
During the first two days of the first hunt period, October 10-11, the “Any Elk” permits will be issued only for youths age 12-17 in order 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.

Additional Information
Permit holders with two valid Wyoming elk licenses may use and fill both licenses while hunting on the Refuge.

Wyoming Game & Fish Department will be conducting brucellosis and Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance again in 2009. For sample collection information or locations, contact the Wyoming Game & Fish Department.

On-Line Application Information
Application for National Elk Refuge permits will be accessed through the Wyoming Game & Fish Private Lands Public Wildlife Access program. Additional information, web links, and an explanation of the application process will be posted here later in the summer. To apply for an elk hunting permit to hunt on the National Elk Refuge in 2009, interested persons will complete an on-line application between August 11 through September 22.

 

North Elk Hunt Unit Alternate Dates
Alternate permits will be available through the on-line system during each hunt period, based on the following schedule:

October 10-16: no alternate permits for north unit; 20 alternate permits for south unit
October 17-23: 100 alternate permits for north unit; 20 alternate permits for south unit
October 24-30: 100 alternate permits for north unit; 20 alternate permits for south unit
October 31-November 6: 100 alternate permits for north unit; 20 alternate permits for
south unit
November 7-13: 100 alternate permits for north unit; 20 alternate permits for south unit
November 14-20: 100 alternate permits for north unit; 20 alternate permits for south unit
November 21-27: 100 alternate permits for north unit; 20 alternate permits for south unit
November 28-December 4: 100 alternate permits for north unit; 20 alternate permits for south unit
December 5-13: 60 alternate permits for north unit; 20 alternate permits for south unit

For both the north and south unit hunts, half of the issued alternate permits will be valid for Monday through Friday of the respective week, with the remaining 50 valid for Wednesday through Friday of the same week.

More information on obtaining alternate permits will be posted here later in the season.

South Unit Limited Range Weapon Hunt Information

2008 Refuge South Unit Elk Hunting Information & Map(PDF Format) For general information only.
2009 Refuge South Unit Elk Hunting Regulations & Map will be posted here later in the summer.

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 Area 77 season closes earlier. The additional hunt unit was added in 2007 to focus on the Grand Teton National Park segment of the Jackson elk herd which typically congregates in the south end of the refuge during October and November. The limited range weapons restriction is to ensure safe 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.

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 south unit of the National Elk Refuge in 2009, interested persons must complete an on-line application between August 11 through September 22. Hunters must initially apply for only one hunt period per hunt unit. The results of the computerized random draw will be available on September 23. The system will continue to be active to allow access to leftover and alternate permits.

After the random draw on September 23, any unissued permits will be available through the same online system on a first-come, first serve basis, including persons who were successful for another hunt period in the September 23 drawing. However, persons who successfully obtain a south unit elk hunt permit are ineligible for a north unit elk hunting permit for the same hunt period and should not apply. Hunt weeks run from Saturday through Friday.

“Antlerless Only” permits are the only slips available for the south unit hunt, October 10 through December 13.

Additional Information
All persons hunting on 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 south unit of the refuge.

Wyoming Game & Fish Department will again be conducting brucellosis and Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance this season. For sample collection information or locations, contact the Wyoming Game & Fish Department at 307.733.2321.

On-Line Application Information
Application for National Elk Refuge permits will be accessed through the Wyoming Game & Fish Private Lands Public Wildlife Access program. Additional information, web links, and an explanation of the application process will be posted here later in the summer. To apply for an elk hunting permit to hunt on the National Elk Refuge in 2009, interested persons will complete an on-line application between August 11 through September 22.

Bison Hunt

You must have been already sucessful in state of Wyoming hunt draw to hunt on the National Elk Refuge.

2008 Bison Hunt Information (PDF Format) For general information only.
2009 Refuge Bison Hunting Regulations & Map will be posted here later in the summer.

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 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 through December 15, 2008. Bison hunting licenses are issued through the State of Wyoming . Individuals who have not already applied and been selected for the 2008 season are ineligible to hunt bison this year. A refuge specific bison hunting permit is required and will be provided with the State license.

The following are required andmust 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 11 through December 5, 2008, unless the Area 77 season closes earlier. Because bison hunters may retrieve harvested animals 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 . An additional 2,238 acres were added to the general (north end) elk hunt area in 2007 in order to accommodate additional hunters harvesting bison. Also, an additional 7.7 miles of retrieval roads were added. (See map on page 4.)

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

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:

Wild Buffalo Guide and Retrieval
Phone: 307.733.9208; cell: 307.413.5330

T Lazy T Outfitters
Phone: 307.733.4481; cell: 307.690.4481

Double Diamond Outfitters
Phone: 208.688.9988; cell: 307.413.7226

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 2008 and 2009 bison and elk hunting seasons:

Double Diamond Outfitters
Phone: 208.688.9988; cell: 307.413.7226

T Lazy T Outfitters
Phone: 307.733.4481; cell: 307.690.4481