National Wildlife Refuge · Wyoming · FWS Region 6

National Elk Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

National Elk Refuge is located in Teton County, Wyoming, with about 24,854 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 8 mapped hunt units: 7 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 22,536 huntable acres.

7 with special regs1 closedYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
8hunt units
22.5Khuntable acres
24.9KFWS-owned acres
1game categories

National Elk Refuge hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at National Elk Refuge

  • Big Game
  • Waterfowl
  • Wild Turkey
  • Upland Birds
  • Migratory Birds
  • Small Game
  • Feral & Exotic
  • Fishing

Permitted hunting categories are big game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Each year, the largest elk migration in the continental United States ends on National Elk Refuge, where 5,000 or more animals spend the winter. This wildlife spectacle draws a million visitors each year and is a huge conservation success story.

Youth hunting

During the first hunt period of the first week of elk season, 70 'any elk' permits are issued to youth hunters, who must be accompanied by an experienced non-hunting adult.

All refuges with youth hunts →
Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Wyoming regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (8)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 22,536 (91%)Closed: 2,285 (9%)22.5Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations22,536 ac 91%
  • Closed2,285 ac 9%
Units by size (acres)
Hunt Unit 6
13,019 ac
Hunt Unit 8
2,794 ac
Hunt Unit 7
2,285 ac
Hunt Unit 4
2,005 ac
Hunt Unit 3
1,720 ac
Hunt Unit 5
1,620 ac
Hunt Unit 2
856 ac
Hunt Unit 1
523 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Hunt Unit 1
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 523 — 🧒 During the first hunt period of the first week of elk season, 70 'any elk' permits are issued to…
Hunt Unit 2
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 856 — 🧒 During the first hunt period of the first week of elk season, 70 'any elk' permits are issued to…
Hunt Unit 3
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,720 — 🧒 During the first hunt period of the first week of elk season, 70 'any elk' permits are issued to…
Hunt Unit 4
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,005 — 🧒 During the first hunt period of the first week of elk season, 70 'any elk' permits are issued to…
Hunt Unit 5
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,620 — 🧒 During the first hunt period of the first week of elk season, 70 'any elk' permits are issued to…
Hunt Unit 6
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 13,019 — 🧒 During the first hunt period of the first week of elk season, 70 'any elk' permits are issued to…
Hunt Unit 8
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,794 — 🧒 During the first hunt period of the first week of elk season, 70 'any elk' permits are issued to…
Hunt Unit 7
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 2,285 — 🧒 During the first hunt period of the first week of elk season, 70 'any elk' permits are issued to…

National Elk Refuge by the numbers

With about 22,536 huntable acres, National Elk Refuge ranks #2 of 6 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Wyoming and #106 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 91% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Hunt Unit 6 (13,019 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Hunt Unit 1, covers 523 acres.

1 unit totaling 2,285 acres is closed to hunting (Hunt Unit 7). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt National Elk Refuge

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Wyoming sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid Wyoming hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at National Elk Refuge

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Refuge waters include North Park Pond (one acre), Gros Ventre River (approximately eight miles), Upper and Lower Flat Creek (approximately five miles) and Nowlin Creek (1/2 mile).

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to National Elk Refuge

Navigate

Destination: National Elk Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
43.55779, -110.67975
DMS
43°33′28.0″N 110°40′47.1″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Jackson, WY6.7 mi NE of town
  • Idaho Falls, ID68 mi E of town
  • Soda Springs, ID78 mi NE of town
  • Pocatello, ID101 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • JAC Jackson Hole4.7 mi
  • IDA Idaho Falls Regional70 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at National Elk Refuge

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Denver local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM8:00 PM13h 15m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM7:35 PM12h 35m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM7:05 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:05 AM7:35 AM6:41 PM11h 06m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM5:15 PM10h 18m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM4:59 PM9h 44m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:05 AM7:35 AM4:48 PM9h 13m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:18 AM7:48 AM4:46 PM8h 58m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:25 AM7:55 AM4:55 PM8h 60m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:22 AM7:52 AM5:09 PM9h 17m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:09 AM7:39 AM5:31 PM9h 52m

Computed for 43.558, -110.680 (MDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Guides for hunting National Elk Refuge

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

How to Read a Refuge Hunt Brochure (and Not Miss the Rule That Matters)

What's inside a National Wildlife Refuge hunt brochure, where to find it, how it relates to 50 CFR Part 32 and state…

Hunting Safety on Public Land: Cold Water, Tree Stands, Crowds and Weather

The safety habits that matter most on refuges and WPAs — firearm rules, blaze orange, tree-stand harnesses, cold-water…

National Elk Refuge FAQ

Is hunting allowed at National Elk Refuge?

Yes. National Elk Refuge offers hunting in 7 units (22,536 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt National Elk Refuge?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for National Elk Refuge. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at National Elk Refuge?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is National Elk Refuge located?

National Elk Refuge is in Teton County, Wyoming, about 7 miles NE of Jackson, WY (straight-line). GPS: 43.55779, -110.67975.

What are legal shooting hours at National Elk Refuge?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Jackson NFH

Teton County, WY · 3.2 mi SW

1 closed
🎣

Grays Lake NWR

Bonneville County, ID · 51 mi SW

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

4.9K huntable acres

Camas NWR

Jefferson County, ID · 83 mi W

3 open1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️

8.1K huntable acres

Red Rock Lakes NWR

Beaverhead County, MT · 91 mi NW

3 open2 closed
🦌🦆🎣

35.2K huntable acres

Bear Lake NWR

Bear Lake County, ID · 101 mi S

3 open1 special10 closed
🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7.3K huntable acres

Cokeville Meadows NWR

Lincoln County, WY · 110 mi S

3 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

6K huntable acres

All refuges in Wyoming →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.