JACKSON, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has released the fall hunting forecast for the state based on data and observations from the field by department biologists and game wardens.
Forecasts were released for the Casper, Cody, Green River, Jackson, Lander, Laramie, Pinedale and Sheridan regions.
WGFD encourages hunters to:
- Review 2024 hunting regulations
- Submit deer and elk samples for Chronic Wasting Disease testing
- Be mindful of the spread of invasive species and to report locations of cheatgrass to the Teton County Weed and Pest District
- All licensed (daily, annual, pioneer and lifetime) sage grouse hunters will be required to carry an annual, free sage-grouse hunting permit
And now, on to the hunt forecast:
Pronghorn and mule deer
In the Jackson region, the small, migratory segment of the Sublette antelope herd in Hunt Area 85 is still recovering from the harsh winter of 2022-2023, and thus Hunt Area 85 remains closed this year. WGFD notes that its regional managers will continue to monitor the herd and might recommend reauthorizing hunting seasons in the future.
Mule deer are also still recovering from that same harsh winter. As a result, changes to the season include a four-point antler restriction and further reductions in nonresident quotas, along with a shortened season length and the elimination of doe/fawn opportunities for youth hunters. Hunters should expect to see fewer deer on the landscape this fall, but WGFD anticipates the herds will recover in the next few years.
Elk
The Jackson region manages four elk herds— Jackson, Fall Creek, Afton and Targhee, that currently contain at least 16,000 elk and are within management objectives, according to WGFD.
“Hunters should expect to see typical elk numbers in most hunt areas,” WGFD said.
Last year, Grand Teton National Park licenses were reduced in quota and season length in an effort to shift management toward population maintenance rather than population reduction. That same structure remains in place this year. Any elk harvested from the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park are required to be brought in for chronic wasting disease testing.
Moose
All or parts of the Jackson, Sublette and Targhee moose herds are found in the region, and all are managed under a special management strategy to provide recreational opportunities while maintaining a harvest of older age-class bulls, says WGFD.
“While moose numbers continue to remain below desired levels, hunters lucky enough to draw a license should experience high success and have a good chance of harvesting a bull,” WGFD said.
Moose hunters are encouraged to submit the two front incisors (lower teeth) from their harvested moose for age data collection.
Bighorn sheep and mountain goats
Bighorn sheep are at their management objective, and populations need to be maintained. This year’s ewe season has a lower quota and a season extension (into November) in an effort to maintain current population numbers. WGFD says ewe hunters should plan for remote, backcountry hunting, with possible success above 9,000 feet elevation or more.
The quota for mountain goat licenses in the region was reduced for the 2023 and 2024 seasons to reflect a decline in the number of goats counted during the 2022 mid-summer trend count, says Game and Fish. Hunting the Palisades herd is expected to have a high success rate.
“The Hunt Area 4 Type A license was removed for the 2024 season, effectively closing Area 4,” WGFD said. “The management objective for Area 4 is to reduce mountain goat numbers in the Teton Range and minimize their expansion into important bighorn sheep habitats of the Targhee herd. License availability is not warranted due to the low population level.”
Bison
According to Game and Fish, the Jackson bison herd is at the annual trend count objective, with an increasing population trend.
“Recent trends by which mild weather and aversion to hunting pressure on the National Elk Refuge have resulted in delayed or lack of movement from Grand Teton National Park into the open hunt area on the refuge,” WGFD said. “These conditions make it difficult to achieve harvest, often with an extremely limited number of days when bison are available for harvest on the refuge, if at all.”
There will be two bison hunt periods on the National Elk Refuge during the 2024 season, the agency said. License holders who wish to hunt on the National Elk Refuge from Aug. 15 through the end of the year must obtain a permission slip through the Game and Fish website. Bison hunters with a permission slip can access the refuge at any time during this time period. Bison hunters must obtain a harvest reporting card, tooth envelope and blood collection tube at the Jackson Game and Fish office before their hunt.
