JACKSON, Wyo. – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has made adjustments to hunting regulations on the National Elk Refuge (NER), including updated season dates, the addition of a new license type and modifications to the permission slip application process.
“These changes aim to better distribute elk harvest among migrating segments of the herd,” the WGFD said via press release.
According to the WGFD, the NER, which is located on Elk Hunt Area 77, will be open for elk hunting from November 1 to December 19. As in previous years, hunters can use an unused general license or any unused limited quota elk license, regardless of hunt area, to apply for a permission slip to hunt on the NER.
The 2025 season structure is as follows:
- November 1 – November 26: Hunters with a general elk license or an unused limited quota license can apply for a permission slip to hunt antlerless elk. All elk licenses except Type 8 are valid.
- November 27 – November 30: This period is designated for a youth-only elk hunt. Hunters with a youth license can apply for a permission slip to hunt any elk. Only full-price youth licenses (Type 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, General) are valid.
- December 1 – December 5: Hunters with a general elk license or an unused limited quota license can apply for a permission slip to hunt antlerless elk. All elk licenses except Type 8 are valid.
The WGFD wrote on its website that hunters can apply for permission slips for hunt periods within these date ranges. This year, hunt periods will run Monday through Thursday and Friday through Sunday. A complete list of all hunt periods can be found here.
A new Type 6 license is now required to hunt on the NER, and only hunters holding this license are eligible to apply for a permission slip to hunt cow or calf elk from December 8 through December 19; permission slips can be obtained anytime from November 1 through December 19.
The WGFD wrote that there are two ways to draw permission slips to hunt on the NER: the initial draw and weekly alternate draws.
The initial draw application period for NER permission slips opens on August 1 at 8 a.m., and the deadline to apply is September 18 at 11:59 p.m. Hunters can apply on the NER Elk Hunter Management Area webpage. During the initial draw, hunters are limited to one hunt period application but can pick up an additional permission slip from available leftovers on a first-come, first-served basis after the draw results are released on September 19 at 8 a.m.
Hunters will also have a weekly opportunity to apply for a permission slip in the alternate draw. Hunters can apply once per week from October 20 through November 27. These weekly application periods open on Mondays at 8 a.m. and close on Thursdays at 11:59 p.m. Results will be posted on Fridays at 8 a.m. for the upcoming hunt periods. Any remaining permission slips will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis after the results are posted each Friday.
As in previous years, hunters can only harvest one elk per day on the NER, and chronic wasting disease sampling is mandatory for any harvested elk. Additional rules for hunting on the NER can be found here.
