National Elk Refuge elk hunting permits to be issued online
by National Elk Refuge
July 25, 2008
National Elk Refuge Manager Steve Kallin and Wyoming Game and Fish Department Jackson Region Wildlife Supervisor Tim Fuchs announce the initiation of a new online application process for obtaining elk hunting permits for the National Elk Refuge.
Wyoming Game & Fish Department staff have worked closely with refuge personnel to expand the State’s computerized system for its Private Lands Public Wildlife (PLPW) access program to include the National Elk Refuge.
Hunters will now use an online system starting August 12 through October 3, 2008 to apply for National Elk Refuge elk hunting permits. A computerized random draw will take place on October 6 for all of the hunt periods, with the results posted on the application web site by October 7. The online application web site is located at http://gf.state.wy.us/plpwhmprogram/frmHunterManagementHome.aspx
The new process was implemented to provide a more equitable permitting system to all Wyoming and non-resident hunters and allow them to better plan their fall elk hunt knowing they have a permit to hunt on the refuge before they leave home.
Previously, hunters were required to attend a weekly public drawing at the Teton County Fairgrounds to obtain a permit for Elk Hunt Area 77, the hunt area that lies within the National Elk Refuge. The drawings were held at 4:30 pm each Friday during the hunting season. The required attendance at the weekly drawings made it difficult for persons with inflexible work schedules or those attending from out of town. Persons interested in hunting on the weekend would not know until Friday evening if they had received a permit for the upcoming hunt period beginning on Saturday. With the computerized system, hunters will be able to apply for, receive, and print refuge elk hunt permits from the convenience of their home and know well in advance the dates they will be allowed to hunt.
Hunters will complete the application online for either the north or south unit hunt on the National Elk Refuge, initially applying for no more than one hunt period per unit. Hunt periods will be one week long, running from Saturday through Friday of the designated week. After the computerized random draw on October 6, the system will continue to be active to allow access to leftover and alternate permits. 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. Hunters may not hold a permit for both the north and south units during the same week.
Alternate permits will be available for each week of the hunt season, excluding the first week. Alternate permits will become available two weeks before the hunt period begins, with 35 permits valid for Monday – Friday and 35 permits valid for Wednesday – Friday to help with distribution of hunters in the field.
Complete information for elk hunting on the National Elk Refuge, including the application process, permit availability, alternate permits, and regulations can be found at http://www.fws.gov/nationalelkrefuge/NERHuntingRegs.htm
Persons without internet access or those that need assistance will be able to complete the permitting process from a terminal at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center in Jackson, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department Jackson regional office, or any other computer with internet access and a printer. Personal assistance is available Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Wyoming Game & Fish Department and at the Visitor Center on Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
For further information, please contact the Jackson Game and Fish office at 307-733-2321 or 1-800-423-4113, or call the National Elk Refuge headquarters at 307-733-9212.
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