New and improved elk shed opening day involves orderly motorcade

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The annual hunt for elk sheds is almost here and it will look quite civilized and tame compared to years past.

In order to ensure the process of getting participants to public land in an orderly fashion, with as much fairness as possible, the Jackson Police Department (JPD) has further perfected its motorcade to public lands by instituting an online application for all escorted participants to complete.
Participants will be placed in sequential order and in the motorcade from the fairgrounds to Elk Refuge Road. Until 6am May 1, Elk Refuge Road and shed antler collection will remain closed to the public.

The application will be available on the town’s website from April 1 at 9am through April 15 at midnight. (Link will be added here once it is live).

The Jackson Police Department’s assistance has become welcome after several incidents marred “opening day” in the past. Injured participants, drowned horses, jumping the starter’s gun in the dead of night, squabbles over whose rack is whose, and an endless staging of horse trailers along the Elk Refuge Road are just some of the black eyes the event has elicited. Enforcement by Bridger-Teton Forest, Game and Fish, and the National Elk Refuge is beefed up for May 1 but they can’t be everywhere at once.

For those looking to access the Forest via the Refuge, and be included in the motorcade, you must register online.

• Participant position in the motorcade will be determined by your timeliness to submit the online application. The earlier you complete and submit the form, the better spot you get.
• The motorcade will depart from the Teton County Fairgrounds at approximately 6am on May 1; however, no overnight parking will be allowed until lineup time.
• The Teton County Fairgrounds will have horse stalls for rent. Please contact the Teton County Fairgrounds to make arrangements (307-733-5289).
• Participant lineup will not begin until April 30 at 8am, so there will be no need to show up multiple days ahead of time.

The application form will be accessible April 1 through April 15. The application will be available at 9am on Friday, April 1. Anyone who does not apply by April 15 will not be given a designated position in the motorcade.

National Elk Refuge: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/national_elk_refuge/
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:  https://www.fws.gov/
Bridger Teton National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov
Wyoming Game and Fish Department: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/