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

Hunters must complete the application on-line between August 12 through October 3. A computerized random draw will take place on October 6; the results will be available on October 7. Complete instructions and regulations can be found by clicking on the “General Elk Hunt Information” link below.

New for 2008 Hunt Season

• Refuge hunt permits will now be obtained through a computerized application process – see general description above.
• After the October 6 computerized random draw, all unissued permits for all weeks of the hunt season will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• 70 alternate permits will be available for each week of the hunt season, excluding the hunt week of October 11-17.
• Alternate permits will be available through the same on-line system two weeks before the designated hunt period begins, with 35 permits valid for Monday – Friday and 35 permits valid for Wednesday – Friday.
• Hunt periods will be one week long, running from Saturday through Friday of the designated week

Navigate this Page

General Elk Hunt Information
North Elk Hunt Unit Alternate Dates
South Unit Limited Range Weapon Hunt Information
Bison Hunt Information
Available Retrieval and Guide Services

General Elk Hunt Information
2008 Refuge Elk Hunting Information & Map(PDF Format)

General Information
Firearm hunting of elk on the National Elk Refuge is permitted from October 11 through December 5, 2008, unless the Area 77 season closes earlier. Archery hunting is restricted to the south unit limited range weapon hunt only.

Refuge permits will no longer be distributed at a weekly Friday night drawing in Jackson where hunters must be present. Refuge hunt permits will now be obtained through a computerized application process. The application web site is located at http://gf.state.wy.us/plpwhmprogram/frmHunterManagementHome.aspx

Hunters must complete the application online between August 12 – October 3, initially applying for only one hunt period per hunt unit. Hunt periods are one week long, running from Saturday through Friday of the designated week.

A computerized random draw will take place on October 6; the results will be posted on the application web site by October 7. The system will continue to be active to allow access to leftover and alternate permits.

After the random draw on October 6, 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 on the October 6 drawing.

“Any Elk” permits will be issued during the first week (October 11-17) and “Antlerless Only” slips will be issued for October 18 through December 5. 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 hunt week of October 11 – 17. Alternate permits will be available two weeks before the designated hunt period begins, with 35 permits valid for Monday – Friday and 35 permits valid for Wednesday – Friday . 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 October 6 drawing.

Youth Hunt
During the first two days of the first week, October 11-12, the “Any Elk” permits will be issued only for 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.

South Unit Limited Range Weapon 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 general (north end) elk hunting refuge permit are ineligible for a south unit permit for the same hunt period and should not apply.

South Unit Limited Range Weapon Hunt Information

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 this season. For sample collection information or locations, contact the Wyoming Game & Fish Department (see below).

On-Line Application Information

Apply 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.

Application tips can be found at https://gf.state.wy.us/elsapplication/docs/ApplyingOnline.htm

North Elk Hunt Unit Alternate Dates
Throughout the elk hunting season, alternate permits will be available for each week of the hunt season, excluding the hunt week of October 11 – 17. Thirty-five alternate permits will be valid for Monday – Friday of the designated week (valid 5 days), and 35 permits valid for Wednesday – Friday (valid 3 days). Alternate permits, available two weeks before the designated hunt period begins, will be issued according to the following schedule:

•  October 7: alternate permits become available for the hunt week of October 18–24
•  October 11: alternate permits become available for the hunt week of October 25–31
•  October 18: alternate permits become available for the hunt week of November 1–7
•  October 25: alternate permits become available for the hunt week of November 8–14
•  November 1: alternate permits become available for the hunt week of November 15–21
•  November 8: alternate permits become available for the hunt week of November 22–28
•  November 15: alternate permits become available for the hunt week of November 29–December 5

All alternate permits will be available on a first-come, first served basis via a computerized permit process at http://gf.state.wy.us/plpwhmprogram/frmHunterManagementHome.aspx

Alternate permits will not be issued for the south unit limited range weapons elk hunt.

South Unit Limited Range Weapon Hunt Information

2008 Refuge South Unit Elk Hunting Information & Map(PDF Format)

General Information
Hunting of antlerless elk on the south unit of the National Elk Refuge with limited range weapons is permitted from October 11 through December 5, 2008, unless the 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 will no longer be distributed at a weekly Friday night drawing in Jackson where hunters must be present. Refuge hunt permits will now be obtained through a computerized application process. The application web site is located at http://gf.state.wy.us/plpwhmprogram/frmHunterManagementHome.aspx

Hunters must complete the application online between August 12 – October 3, initially applying for only one hunt period per hunt unit. Hunt periods are one week long, running from Saturday through Friday of the designated week.

A computerized random draw will take place on October 6; the results will be posted on the application web site by October 7. The system will continue to be active to allow access to leftover permits.

After the random draw on October 6, 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 October 6 drawing.

“Antlerless Only” permits are the only slips available for the south unit hunt, October 11 through December 5.

Alternate permits will not be issued for the south unit hunt.

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

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
Apply 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.

Application tips can be found at https://gf.state.wy.us/elsapplication/docs/ApplyingOnline.htm

Bison Hunt

Hunt You must have been already sucessful in state of Wyoming hunt draw to hunt on the Refuge
2008 Bison Hunt Information

Bison Hunt Information

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