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Draft National Refuge and White-Tailed Plan

April 2021

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

National Elk Refuge 675 East Broadway, Jackson, WY 83001

Submitted By: Frank Durbian, Project Leader

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Concurrence: Lisa Talcott, Refuge Supervisor

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Approved: Stacy Armitage, Regional Chief, System

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I. Introduction ...... 3 II. Conformance with Statutory Authorities ...... 3 III. Statement of Objectives ...... 4 IV. Description of Hunting Program ...... 4 A. to Be Taken and Areas to Be Opened to Hunting ...... 4 B. Hunting Access ...... 5 C. Hunter Permit Requirements and Limits ...... 5 D. Consultation and Coordination With the State ...... 5 E. Law Enforcement ...... 6 F. Funding and Staffing Requirements ...... 6 V. Conduct of the Hunting Program ...... 6 A. Hunter Application, Selection, and Registration Procedures ...... 6 B. Refuge-Specific Hunting and Fishing Regulations...... 6 C. Relevant State Regulations ...... 6 D. Other Refuge Rules and Regulations for Hunting ...... 6 VI. Public Engagement ...... 7 A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Hunting Program ...... 7 B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Hunting Program ...... 7 C. How Hunters and Anglers Will Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations ...... 7 VII. Compatibility Determination ...... 7

List of Figures

Figure 1. Pronghorn Hunt Area Map...... 8 Figure 2. White-tailed Deer Hunt Area Map...... 9

2 Draft

Pronghorn and White-Tailed Plan I. Introduction National wildlife refuges are guided by the mission and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System), the purposes of an individual refuge, (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) policy, and laws and international treaties. Relevant guidance includes the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (NWRSAA), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Improvement Act), Refuge Recreation Act of 1962, and selected portions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and Fish and Wildlife Service Manual. II. Conformance with Statutory Authorities The mission of the Refuge System, as outlined by the NWRSAA, as amended by the Improvement Act (16 U.S. Code 668dd et seq.), is: “. . . to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” The NWRSAA mandates the Secretary of the Interior in administering the Refuge System to (16 U.S. Code 668dd(a)(4)): • provide for the conservation of fish, wildlife and plants, and their habitats within the Refuge System; • ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the Refuge System are maintained for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans; • ensure that the mission of the Refuge System described at 16 U.S. Code 668dd(a)(2) and the purposes of each refuge are carried out; • ensure effective coordination, interaction, and cooperation with owners of land adjoining refuges and the fish and wildlife agency of the states in which the units of the Refuge System are located; • assist in the maintenance of adequate water quantity and water quality to fulfill the mission of the Refuge System and the purposes of each refuge; • recognize compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the priority general public uses of the Refuge System through which the American public can develop an appreciation for fish and wildlife; • ensure that opportunities are provided within the Refuge System for compatible wildlife- dependent recreational uses; and • monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants in each refuge.

3 Therefore, it is a priority of the Service to provide for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, when those opportunities are compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established and the mission of the Refuge System. Currently, the National Elk Refuge (NER or refuge) permits elk and hunting as defined in the comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the refuge, published in 2015 (www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/refuges/wy_ner.php). Hunting species other than elk and bison on the refuge is not addressed in the Visitor Services Objectives within the CCP. The hunting compatibility determination associated with the CCP does state that the refuge will “prohibit the hunting of any other wildlife species other than elk and bison…” Therefore. this hunting plan will be subject to a new compatibility determination and associated National Environmental Policy Act analysis. III. Statement of Objectives The objective of a pronghorn and white-tailed deer hunting program on the refuge is to provide: • the public with a high-quality recreational experience on the NER and increase opportunities for hunters. IV. Description of Hunting Program

A. Species to Be Taken and Areas to Be Opened to Hunting This hunting plan is specific to pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) and white-tailed deer ( virginianus). Pronghorn hunting will occur during the State of firearms hunting season in the central portion of the refuge, as depicted in Figure 1. The firearms hunting season for Wyoming and Fish Department (WGFD) Hunt Unit 85, which includes the National Elk Refuge, is typically from September 10th through October 31st, annually. Firearm pronghorn hunting will be allowed in National Elk Refuge Hunt Unit 6 from September 10th through September 30th and on National Elk Refuge Hunt Units 6 and 8 from 2 October 1st through October 31st (Figure 1). The National Elk Refuge Hunt Unit 8 and associated hunting period has been designated to prevent conflict and promote safety regarding the refuge’s irrigation program. Pronghorn hunting will occur during the State of Wyoming archery hunting season in the central portion of the refuge, as depicted in Figure 1. The archery hunting season for Hunt Unit 85 is typically from August 15th through September 9th, annually. Archery pronghorn hunting will be allowed in Pronghorn Hunt Area 1 for the duration of the archery season. White-tailed deer hunting will occur during the State of Wyoming firearms hunting season on the northern half of the refuge, as depicted in Figure 2. The firearms hunting season for WGFD Hunt Unit 155, which includes the refuge, is typically from September 15th through November 30th, annually. Firearm white-tailed deer hunting will be allowed in the National Elk Refuge Hunt Unit 6 from September 15th through October 30th (Figure 2). Reducing the tail-end of the hunt period will prevent conflict with the refuge elk hunt. White-tailed deer hunting will occur during the State of Wyoming archery hunting season in the National Elk Refuge Hunt Unit 6, as depicted in Figure 2. The archery hunting season for WGFD

4 Hunt Unit 155 is typically from September 1st through September 14th, annually. Archery white- tailed deer hunting will be allowed in the White-Tailed Deer Hunt Area for the duration of the archery season.

B. Hunting Access Hunter access will be restricted to the hunt parking areas, as identified on Figures 1 and 2.

C. Hunter Permit Requirements and Limits Special refuge hunting permits will be required, and the total number of hunters will be limited. The WGFD, in consultation with the National Elk Refuge, will conduct a random drawing process to determine which hunters receive permits. Applications for these hunt opportunities will be submitted through the WGFD’s online Access Yes Program. Pronghorn Firearms Hunting: There will be four ten-day hunt periods with five hunters selected for each hunt period. Hunters will only be allowed to apply for one hunt period. The four hunt periods will be consecutive, with the initial hunting period starting on the first day of the hunting season. Firearm hunters are also allowed to apply for the archery hunt. Pronghorn Archery Hunting: Five hunters will be selected to hunt during the entire archery season. Archery hunters are also allowed to apply for the firearms hunt. White-Tailed Deer Firearms: There will be five seven-day hunt periods followed by one six-day hunt period, and one five-day hunt period, with five hunters selected for each hunt period. Hunters will only be allowed to apply for one hunt period. The seven hunt periods will be consecutive, with the initial hunting period starting on the first day of the hunting season. Firearm hunters are also allowed to apply for the archery hunt. White-Tailed Deer Archery Hunting: There will be two consecutive, seven-day hunt periods with five hunters selected for each period. The initial hunt period will start on the first day of the season. Hunters will only be allowed to apply for one hunt period. Archery hunters are also allowed to apply for the firearms hunt. Dependent upon hunter interest, harvest, and safety, the Service will maintain flexibility regarding the number of hunters, permits, and drawing procedures to ensure a safe, quality hunting experience that promotes a sustainable harvest of each species.

D. Consultation and Coordination With the State Discussions between the Service and the WGFD regarding the opening of pronghorn and white- tailed deer hunting on the National Elk Refuge have taken place for several during coordination meetings between the two agencies. Staff from the National Elk Refuge met with local staff from the WGFD on November 17, 2020 to discuss the proposed hunts. Consensus was reached regarding logistics, format, hunt period, number of hunt participants and application process as described in this draft hunting plan. The Service provided the WGFD with a copy of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Pronghorn and White-Tailed Deer Hunting on the National Elk Refuge in late April 2021, and invited them to provide comments prior to issuance of the Final EA and National Elk Refuge Pronghorn and White-tailed Deer Hunting Plan.

5 E. Law Enforcement Enforcement of hunting and fishing regulations on the National Elk Refuge is the responsibility of commissioned refuge law enforcement officers and WGFD game wardens. Other refuge officers, special agents, and the local Sheriff’s Department often assist with these duties. The following methods are used to control and enforce hunting regulations on the refuge: (1) refuge and hunt area boundaries will be clearly posted and (2) refuge and state law enforcement staff will randomly check hunters for compliance with federal and state laws.

F. Funding and Staffing Requirements The addition of pronghorn and white-tailed deer hunting to the current National Elk Refuge hunt program will require moderate Service resources. Expenses will include program management staff resources, boundary posting, signage, and law enforcement program staffing. Current refuge management covers all these expenses on an annual basis. Estimated costs to implement this hunting plan are estimated to be $10,000.00 for the first . Annual execution and operation of this hunting plan will also require an increase of 10 percent of the current refuge law enforcement program staff. This will moderately detract from other law enforcement duties. To compensate for limited refuge law enforcement staff time, the Service will continue the use of overtime and rely on assistance from the and Wyoming Patrol Captain, as well as detailers from other refuge law enforcement programs. Management program staff time will not increase from current levels. V. Conduct of the Hunting Program

A. Hunter Application, Selection, and Registration Procedures See previous hunter permit requirements and limits section. Permits will be issued through the WGFD’s online Access Yes Program.

B. Refuge-Specific Hunting and Fishing Regulations Refuge specific regulations include mandatory use of hunter parking areas and hunt boundary limitations, as specified in Figures 1 and 2.

C. Relevant State Regulations All hunt participants must abide by the WGFD hunting regulations and other applicable state laws.

D. Other Refuge Rules and Regulations for Hunting Hunters are required to submit the heads of all harvested white-tailed deer to the refuge for testing. Head collection bins will be available at selected hunter parking areas, as depicted in Figure 2.

6 VI. Public Engagement

A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Hunting Program A special announcement will be released through the WGFD news release site, which reaches media outlets statewide. In addition, a special announcement will be posted on the National Elk Refuge website and through local news releases.

B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Hunting Program Hunting is already an acceptable form of recreation on the refuge, such as the current elk and bison hunts. Public reaction to this hunting plan will be evaluated through the National Environmental Policy Act process and associated public comment period. Although there is a strong heritage and support for hunting in Wyoming, the Service anticipates some negative reaction locally, statewide, and nationally.

C. How Hunters and Anglers Will Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations General information regarding hunting and other wildlife-dependent public uses can be obtained at the National Elk Refuge Visitor Center, Administrative Office and website. Specific information on state hunting regulations can be obtained from the WGFD at 5400 Bishop Blvd., , WY 82006, 307-777-4600 or at the WGFD website, https://wgfd.wyo.gov/. VII. Compatibility Determination Hunting and all associated program activities proposed in this plan are compatible with the purposes of the refuge (see Draft Compatibility Determination for Hunting on National Elk Refuge, www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/huntfish.php).

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Figure 1. Pronghorn Hunt Area Map.

8 Figure 2. White-tailed Deer Hunt Area Map.

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