Hunter Management Areas List

National Elk Refuge Elk Hunter Management Area

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Permissions Slips and Application Dates

 

2026 NER Elk Initial Draw 

Elk Draw Permission Slips for National Elk Refuge:  Only full price youth licenses  (Type 1,2,3,4,5,9, General) are valid for the Youth Only Hunt periods (H,I). All elk licenses excluding type 8 licenses are valid for Antlerless Elk Only hunt periods (A-H, K). Only Hunt Area 77 Type 6 licenses are valid for Hunt Period L. Hunters holding a Hunt Area 77 Type 6 license for Hunt Period L may apply for a hunt period (A-K) in addition to Hunt Period L.   You may apply for only one of the following draw hunt dates (A-K) and choose one leftover permission slip on a first come-first serve basis beginning October 26, 2026 8:00 AM. All times are MST. 

Hunt Period

Hunt Description

Application Dates

Draw Date

Hunt Dates

Hunt Period AAntlerless

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 1 - 5
Hunt Period BAntlerless

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 6 - 8
Hunt Period CAntlerless

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 9 - 12
Hunt Period DAntlerless

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 13 - 15
Hunt Period EAntlerless

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 16 - 19
Hunt Period FAntlerless

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 20 - 22
Hunt Period GAntlerless

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 23 - 25

Hunt Period H

(Youth Hunt)

Any elk

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 26 - 27

Hunt Period I

(Youth Hunt)

Any elk

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 28 - 29
Hunt Period JAntlerless

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 30 - Dec 3 
Hunt Period KAntlerless

Aug. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 Sept. 21, 2026 at 8:00 amDec 4 - 6

Hunt Period L

(Only Hunt Area 77 Type 6 licenses valid)

Cow or calf

Nov. 1, 2026 8:00 am - 

Dec. 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm

 N/ADec 7 - 18

Hunt Period M

(Only Hunt Area 77 Type 6 licenses valid)

Cow or calf

N/A

Permits hand-written through 

WGFD Jackson Office

Jan 5 - 14

 

2026 NER Elk Alternate Draw

Elk Alternate Draw Permission Slips for National Elk Refuge: Only full price youth licenses  (Type 1,2,3,4,5,9, General) are valid for the Youth Only Hunt periods (H,I). All elk licenses excluding type 8 licenses are valid for Antlerless Elk Only hunt periods (A-H, K).  You may apply for only one alternate draw hunt period per week. Leftover permission slips will be available on a first come-first serve basis on the draw date at 8:00 AM. All times are MST.

Hunt Period

Hunt Description

Application Dates

Draw Date

Hunt Dates

Hunt Period AAntlerless

Oct. 26, 2026 8:00 am - 

Oct. 29, 2026 11:59 pm

 Oct. 30, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 1 - 5
Hunt Period BAntlerless

Oct. 26, 2026 8:00 am - 

Oct. 29, 2026 11:59 pm

 Oct. 30, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 6 - 8
Hunt Period CAntlerless

Nov. 2, 2026 8:00 am - 

Nov. 5, 2026 11:59 pm

 Nov. 6, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 9 - 12
Hunt Period DAntlerless

Nov. 2, 2026 8:00 am - 

Nov. 5, 2026 11:59 pm

 Nov. 6, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 13 - 15
Hunt Period EAntlerless

Nov. 9, 2026 8:00 am - 

Nov. 12, 2026 11:59 pm

 Nov. 13, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 16 - 19
Hunt Period FAntlerless

Nov. 9, 2026 8:00 am - 

Nov. 12, 2026 11:59 pm

 Nov. 13, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 20 - 22
Hunt Period GAntlerless

Nov. 16, 2026 8:00 am - 

Nov. 19, 2026 11:59 pm

 Nov. 20, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 23 - 25

Hunt Period H

(Youth Hunt)

Any elk

Nov. 16, 2026 8:00 am - 

Nov. 19, 2026 11:59 pm

Nov. 20, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 26 - 27

Hunt Period I

(Youth Hunt)

Any elk

Nov. 16, 2026 8:00 am - 

Nov. 19, 2026 11:59 pm

 Nov. 20, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 28 - 29
Hunt Period JAntlerless

Nov. 23, 2026 8:00 am - 

Nov. 26, 2026 11:59 pm

 Nov. 27, 2026 at 8:00 amNov 30 - Dec 3 
Hunt Period KAntlerless

Nov. 23, 2026 8:00 am - 

Nov. 26, 2026 11:59 pm

 Nov. 27, 2026 at 8:00 amDec 4 - 6


 

24451

The National Elk Refuge (NER) is open November 1 - January 14  for the take of elk during the specific season as published in the 2026 Wyoming Game & Fish Commission Regulations.

Under the Ranch Rules link, please click on the Download map link  to see the official NER Elk Hunt Map.

For more information see below.
 

Jackson Regional Office
420 North Cache
Jackson, WY 83001
(307) 733-2321

Big and Trophy Game Allowed on this HMA:

Antelope Doe/Fawn Antelope Deer Doe/Fawn Deer Elk Cow/Calf Elk Moose Bighorn Sheep Mountain Lion Black Bear
- - - - X - 77 X - 77 - - - -

Small Game, Upland and Game Birds Allowed on this HMA:

Waterfowl Pheasant Sharp-Tailed Grouse Sage-Grouse Blue Grouse Sandhill Crane Dove Partridge Turkey Rabbit
- - - - - - - - - -
"X" denotes specific species you may hunt on each specific HMA. Hunt Area's Denoted in RED after "X".

General HMA Information

The National-Elk-Refuge Hunter Management Area (HMA) is located north of Jackson, and is comprised of private and/or leased lands of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services.


Each hunter must possess an appropriate permission slip and vehicle pass for the time period and type(s) of animal they are hunting before entering the HMA.

 

Each Hunter Management Area has a unique set of ranch rules. It is the hunter’s responsibility to know, understand, and comply with the ranch rules in order to utilize the HMA. Failure to comply is a violation of Game and Fish Commission Regulations and may result in fines, the termination of access privileges, and/or other legal penalties. Hunters should abide by the ranch rules and respect the landowner and the land for continued access opportunities. Remember, we are guests on their property!

 

The Wyoming Game & Fish Department commends these participating ranches for their contributions to wildlife management and hunter access.