Changes are coming to the National Elk Refuge elk hunt for this fall. The Refuge’s 2021 elk hunt program begins October 12th and runs through December 12th. Hunting on the Refuge is managed through a cooperative effort between the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, and Grand Teton National Park, with the goal of achieving and maintaining population objectives.
The most notable change in this year’s Refuge elk hunt is extending the archery only area to the entire length of the western boundary of the Refuge.
During the 2020 elk hunt season, a vehicle in a parking area on the west side of Highway 89 was struck by a hunter’s stray bullet. The goal for extending the archery only area is to maximize safety while continuing to provide a quality hunting experience on the Refuge.
Firearm hunters will still be able to access the northwest area of the Refuge from the northern-most hunt gate but must remain on a designated route and have their firearm unloaded when passing through the archery only area.
Another change is the discontinuation of field issued permits during the later hunt periods. All permits that were previously issued as field permits will now be managed online in partnership with the Wyoming Game & Fish Department through their Access Yes! Program as Alternate Refuge Permits.
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