Grand Teton and National Elk Refuge hunts

tecumseh · Mar 31, 2013

Any of the Wyoming residents on here have any experience with these hunts? I talked to a couple of People at the range yesterday who plan on going on the Elk hunt in Grand Teton NP and extended an invite to me if I don't draw the tags I put in for. They told me there are usually tags left over and fairly easy to get?

I'm wondering are these hunts like shooting fish in a barrel or do you actually have too work to harvest an animal?

Oldtrader3 · Mar 31, 2013

Elk are never "fish in a barrel" and the only advantage here is that you will have access to migrating elk in a limited hunt area and will probably see more animals.

tecumseh · Apr 1, 2013

I doubt very seriously that I'll be going with them. I'm going to stick with my plan B and get a Montana black bear tag and wolf tag if I don't draw the Colorado tags I put in for.

Elkman · Apr 3, 2013

AS there are not many comments I thought I would throw my oar in the water. Like Charlie said elk, are never like fish in a barrel but given decent conditions this hunt is. The one I am familiar with takes place on the edge of Jackson along the edge of the National Elk Refuge. Its a late season hunt totally dependent upon weather conditions. Generally its cow elk only and they are well regulated by the refuge and F & G. As the snow accumulates in the mountains the elk come down to the "huge" meadow that runs along the river. There is a corridor that they follow,and the hunt takes place in the corridor. If they are there its "like fish in the barrel" if they are not, there is no fishing. I was never involved but know others that were. Hope this helps !

Oldtrader3 · Apr 4, 2013

I used to go there about every year when I lived in Utah just to see the wild and huge concentration of elk moving through the Snake River Valley. There is nothing like it anywhere, where you can stand and watch 1000+ elk grazing by at once.

Elkman · Apr 4, 2013

You are right Charlie its a grand place, when were there they had about 7,000 elk on the refuge. They offered sleigh rides with the feeders, you could ride among the elk while they were supplementing them. I would guess the wolfs have thinned the numbers, but its quite a sight. I will be hunting south of there this fall.

Oldtrader3 · Apr 4, 2013

Bill, I guess that the wolves have done some thinning. When I used to go in the 1990's they had over 20,000 elk there.

tecumseh · Apr 4, 2013

I've been too the refuge several years ago and the Elk didn't seem to be bothered too much with people around. That's where the fish in a barrel comment came from. The Jackson Hole valley is awesome country!