Hunting

• Hunters must already have a Wyoming state license, issued by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, to apply for hunting permits on the National Elk Refuge.
• Begin your application for a National Elk Refuge hunting permit by visiting the Wyoming Game & Fish Department website.

Hunters who successfully harvest elk or white-tailed deer are required to submit a Chronic Wasting Disease sample. Head barrels are located throughout the Refuge at hunt parking lots. Please follow the instructions at those sites.

Hunting Brochure (PDF)

Elk Hunt Map (PDF)

Bison Hunt Map (PDF)

White-tailed Deer Hunt Map (PDF)

Harvest Report (PDF)

Hunting Permit Review (PDF)

Both hunters and Refuge staff have had regular sightings of bears and bear tracks in Refuge hunt areas. Though bear spray is not required in the hunt areas, it is strongly recommended. Bear spray is an effective deterrent that is specifically designed to deter aggressive or charging bears. It is not, however, a substitute for appropriate safety precautions. Hunters should remain vigilant, especially in areas with limited visibility due to shrubs, trees, and other cover as bear encounters can happen very quickly with little forewarning.