U.S. / Other
Grand Teton sets Nov. 14 start for limited elk reduction program
Forty permits are authorized, with cow-and-calf restrictions, ammunition rules and mandatory disease sampling.
Status: source-checked.
Grand Teton National Park’s annual elk reduction program will run Nov. 14 through Dec. 6, the National Park Service announced Nov. 6. Forty permits are authorized, and only Elk Hunt Area 75 will open. Harvest is limited to cows and calves, not unrestricted elk hunting throughout the park.
The Park Service and Wyoming Game and Fish Department said their review of biological data showed the program was needed to meet the herd’s population objective and desired distribution. As background, the park’s 1950 enabling legislation authorizes the jointly managed program, which uses Wyoming-licensed hunters with limited-quota permits.
Participants must carry their state license, conservation stamp, elk special management permit, park program permit and hunter education card regardless of age. Requirements also include nonlead ammunition, fluorescent orange or pink clothing and immediately accessible, unexpired bear spray in a can holding at least 7.9 ounces. Archery equipment, handguns, noncenterfire rifles and artificial elk calls are prohibited.
The Antelope Flats portion of Area 75 and the Snake River bottom between Deadman’s Bar and Ditch Creek will remain closed to the program. Hunters must turn in each harvested elk’s head at the designated Moose drop-off site so personnel can collect lymph nodes for chronic wasting disease testing at Wyoming’s wildlife health laboratory.
Program areas remain open to other park visitors, whom officials strongly encourage to wear bright colors. Park Service and state personnel will patrol for compliance and provide program and bear-safety information. Participants can check disease-test results online, according to the park’s announcement.
What we know / what we don't
What we know
- Forty permits are authorized, with cow-and-calf restrictions, ammunition rules and mandatory disease sampling.
What we don't know
- The management rationale is attributed to the two agencies; no independent herd census was conducted.
The source record