Eds: APNewsNow.

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) Grand Teton National Park expects to host about 1,000 elk hunters in coming weeks.

Jackie Skaggs, spokeswoman for the park, says hunting will start on Oct. 11 and continue through Nov. 30. She says hunters generally have a success rate of about 30 percent.

Since the 1950s, federal law has allowed hunting on the park to conserve the elk population. The elk herd in the area is currently above the optimal number of 11,000 animals.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department issues hunting licenses for the areas on the park. Public Information Specialist Mark Gocke says some licenses are still available at the department office in Jackson or through any license selling agent that offers electronic license sales. The park requires hunters to carry pepper spray as a non-lethal deterrent against grizzly bears.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-26-08 1936CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list