U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

This blue goose, designed National Elk Refuge by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System. 2018 Bison Hunting Information and Regulations USFWS The National Elk Refuge provides winter habitat for elk and bison herds.

1. W ho manages hunting on the 4. What Refuge-specific laws regulate T ransportation related activities that are National Elk Refuge? hunting on the National Elk Refuge? illegal on the National Elk Refuge:

Hunting on the National Elk Refuge In addition to all Federal and WGFD ■ Driving off designated roads. (NER) is managed through a cooperative requirements, the following Refuge effort between NER, Grand Teton specific regulations are enforced. ■ Stopping or unloading hunters along National Park, and Wyoming Game & Refuge roads. Fish Department (WGFD), with the Hunters should be knowledgeable of all ■ goal of achieving optimum herd size. The regulations prior to hunting. Violations Parking outside of designated hunt NER staff posts information and updates may result in forfeiture of the animal, parking lots. criminal penalties and permit revocation. related to the Refuge and Refuge hunting ■ Overnight camping or parking. programs on its website: http://www. Hunting related activities that are fws.gov/refuge/National_Elk_Refuge illegal on the National Elk Refuge: ■ Bicycling off of designated roads.

■ Intentional herding or harassment of 2. What must I have while hunting wildlife. bison on the National Elk Refuge? ■ Discharging firearms other than for ■ NER permit for bison hunting lawful hunting (i.e. target shooting and sighting in). ■ WGFD bison hunting license ■ WGFD Conservation Stamp ■ Indiscriminate shooting, shooting ■ Hunter Safety Card (if required multiple times into a running herd, or by WGFD) injuring multiple animals.

■ Shooting from parking areas or public 3. H ow do I get a permit for bison roads. hunting on the Refuge? ■ Interfering with or harassing other The application process for the National hunters. Elk Refuge bison hunting permit is ■ done online via the WGFD “Access Using decoys outside of the Archery USFWS Yes!” Hunter Management Program. Only area or using blinds that Young adult bison have yet to develop completely obstruct hunter’s visible obvious horn shapes that help identify orange or pink garment. gender. 2018 Bison Hunting Information and Regulations Page 1 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

not to scale

Hwy 89

Hunt Areas Jackson National Fish Hatchery Refuge Ad inistrative boundary ofÿce Federal highway Linked sy bols designate Hunt retrieval accessible loop features Hunt retrieval Parking spur Any weapon Spur road area # nu bers Archery only Direct access area route Li ited range Public road area Horse-free Area closed Miller House hunting area to hunting (south of and hunter Flat Creek) access

Visitor Area closed to center hunting and hunter access until October 20

2018 Bison Hunting Information and Regulations Page 2 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

■ A TVs are permitted on public roads, but they must be registered, insured, and operated by a licensed driver. ATVs and snowmobiles are not allowed on Refuge retrieval roads.

■ Horses may be used for hunting but are restricted to the Any Weapon Area north of Flat Creek (including West Hunt Lot) as depicted on the hunt map. Horses may be used Refuge-wide for retrieval purposes. Other activities that are illegal on the National Elk Refuge: USFWS ■ Collecting natural or cultural resources, Bull elk on the National Elk Refuge. including but not limited to antlers, skulls, and artifacts.

■ Possession or use of alcoholic beverages. What hunting areas can I hunt and what are their restrictions? ■ Possession of non-certified weed-free hay. Bison hunting is allowed in three hunting areas (see map). All hunt areas must be accessed from designated parking lots or direct access routes that ■ Starting or maintaining any fires. correspond to the legal hunting method permitted in that area. All Refuge hunting areas have specific restrictions.

5. What are the requirements Archery Only Area (Green on map) for animal retrieval? Hunters must carry and are restricted to possessing only a bow or crossbow legal for taking wild bison as defined by the WGFD. Archery hunters are ■ Following harvest, bison hunters exempt from the hunter safety card requirement. Hunters within the Archery may use retrieval roads immediately. Only Area must maintain a minimum distance of 200-yards from residences. If retrieving after dark, hunters should notify Refuge staff by Limited Range Area (Orange on map) leaving a message on the NER Hunt Hunters must carry and are restricted to possessing only limited range Information Line. weapons, including handguns, muzzle loading rifles, shotguns with slugs, or archery equipment legal for taking wild bison as defined by the WGFD. ■ Hunters may not leave animal parts, Handguns are further restricted to straight-walled cartridges with a barrel including gut piles and carcasses, within length no longer than 12-inches. 100 feet of parking areas. Any Weapon Area (Yellow on map) ■ No game retrieval is permitted Hunters may hunt with any weapon legal for taking wild bison as defined through Grand Teton National Park. by the WGFD. This includes retrieval to Gros Ventre parking areas at Milepost 1.1 and 2.3. If retrieving to Hwy 89 lot, hunters must bring their vehicle inside the gate to load the animal. Following this notice, the hunter 7. What regulations apply to the may pursue or retrieve the animal non-hunting assistants? 6. What should I do before I pursue as planned, giving consideration to an injured animal off of or onto limiting any resource damage. On ■ Bison hunters are allowed multiple the National Elk Refuge? December 1st, Forest Service lands assistants and must ensure their entire adjacent to the National Elk Refuge hunt party is compliant with all Refuge Prior to December 1, if an injured animal are closed to all human presence regulations. crosses from the National Forest onto per Winter Travel Restrictions. the Refuge or if retrieval would be more ■ Assistants must stay within 50-yards of efficient through the Refuge, hunters If the injured animal crosses into the permitted hunter, unless retrieving. should call the NER Hunt Information Grand Teton National Park, the ■ Assistants must wear a fluorescent Line and leave a message describing the hunter must immediately notify Teton orange or pink exterior garment as situation and their plan for recovery. Interagency Dispatch at 307 / 739 3301. defined by WGFD regulations.

2018 Bison Hunting Information and Regulations Page 3 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Elk Refuge

8. What else do I need to know?

■ Prior to the start date of their hunt period, hunters may only access Refuge areas open to the general public.

■ Hunters are allowed into hunt areas only when they have a Refuge permit and a valid matching license.

■ Refuge roads or parking areas may be closed or inaccessible due to inclement weather or management decisions. USFWS USFWS ■ Use of non-lead ammunition Bull bison on National Elk Refuge. (Left); Mature cow with calf. Calves of the year is encouraged. have short straight horns. (Right)

■ During high fire danger, a fire The reservation is limited to a 4-day Contact Information extinguisher and shovel is period. The WGFD Disabled Hunter recommended. Companion Permit is also valid on the National Elk Refuge (NER) Hunt Information Line ■ Bear spray is recommended. Refuge. Contact the WGFD for further information on these programs. 307 / 201-5437 National Elk Refuge Administrative Office 9. What guide and retrieval companies PO Box 510 675 E. Broadway Avenue are permitted to operate on 11. W hat can I do if I have Jackson, WY 83001 the National Elk Refuge? additional questions? 307 / 733 9212 www.fws.gov/refuge/national_elk_refuge/ Commercial guiding and retrieval If you have any questions about services may be available. The company hunting on the National Elk Wyoming Game & Fish Department currently authorized to operate on Refuge, please call the NER Hunt Jackson Office the National Elk Refuge is Double Information Line at 307 / 201 5437. PO Box 67 420 North Cache Street Diamond Tag-n-Drag 307 / 248-1490. Jackson, WY 83001 307 / 733 2321 Accessibility Information Jackson Hole & 10. Does the National Elk Refuge allow Equal opportunity to participate in and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center Wyoming hunter assistance programs benefit from programs and activities 532 North Cache Street Jackson, for hunters with disabilities? of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is WY 83001 Hunters in the WGFD Hunter Mentor available to all individuals regardless Teton Interagency Dispatch Program may receive a Refuge permit. of physical or mental ability. Dial 711 307 / 739 3301 for a free connection to the State relay The National Elk Refuge encourages service for TTY and voice calls to and WGFD Stop Poaching Hotline hunters with disabilities to participate in from people with hearing and speech 1 877 / 943 3847 the hunt program and offers reasonable disabilities. For more information or accommodation for the activity. Hunters to address accessibility needs, please In an emergency, dial 911 who have both a WGFD Disabled Hunter contact the Refuge staff at 307 / 733 9212, For State relay service TTY / Voice: 711 Permit and a Refuge hunting permit are or the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service eligible to reserve one of two designated Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C http://www.fws.gov hunt sites. Reservations must be made Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. at the Refuge Administrative Offices For Refuge Information at 675 E. Broadway in Jackson, WY. 1 800 / 344 WILD July 2018 REFUGE SIGNS: Know Their Meaning

Refuge Area off limits Area open boundary to the public to hunting sign entry by unless at specific permission otherwise times. only. specified.

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