GTNP Elk Hunt Begins

Grand Teton National Park’s annual elk hunt began Saturday as part of a federally mandated “elk reduction program.”  Under its 1950 enabling legislation, Grand Teton National Park is mandated by federal law to conduct an elk reduction program in cooperation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department as necessary for conservation of the Jackson elk population. The number of permits issued this year is fewer than last year. Last year, 750 permits were issued while this year it will be 725. The elk reduction program utilizes Wyoming-licensed hunters that apply for and receive a limited quota permit to hunt in designated areas 75 and 79; both of which are inside the park but east of the Snake River.  Furthermore, those permits are limited to antlerless elk only.  So far there is no word on the success rate during the first two days of the hunt.