Black Bear Hunting in Wyoming: The Wild West of Fall Hunts

There’s nothing quite like chasing black bears in Wyoming. From the thick timber of the Bighorns to the steep canyons near the Wind Rivers, every hunt feels raw, wild, and earned. Fall bear season out here isn’t just about punching a tag, it’s about reading country, trusting your instincts, and matching wits with one of the smartest predators in North America.

Wyoming’s bear country stretches from high alpine slopes to dense lodgepole forests. In spring, you’ll find them near green-up, but by fall, bears are glued to food, berries, acorns, carcasses, and bait sites if you’re in a legal unit. They’re feeding nonstop, driven by instinct to bulk up before the snow hits. Black bears in Wyoming tend to be heavier and darker than in many other states, with some even carrying cinnamon or chocolate color phases. Every canyon seems to hold a different bear, and glassing across big country can reveal multiple animals in a single evening.

Baiting is legal in many Wyoming bear units (with the right permit), and it remains one of the most effective ways to target mature boars. The key is patience, consistency in baiting, timing, and scent control. Rotate sweet and savory baits to keep bears guessing. Dog food soaked in syrup, trail mix, molasses, and fryer grease are favorites.

Use cameras to pattern bears, and once daylight activity starts showing up, stay out until it’s time to hunt. When you do go in, pick a north wind and approach silently. Wyoming’s big timber makes sound carry farther than you think.

For those hunting the western slopes and open country, spot and stalk is as classic as it gets. High ridge lines give you views into berry patches and creek bottoms. Bears move slow, feeding with purpose, giving bowhunters and rifle hunters alike time to plan their stalk.

Mornings and late evenings are prime. Glass shadowed cuts and south-facing slopes where berries ripen last. When you find one, watch its route. Bears are creatures of habit, if he feeds there once, he’ll feed there again.

Wyoming’s rugged country demands solid shot placement and awareness. Wait for a broadside shot, and don’t rush recovery, bears can cover ground fast. If the blood trail fades, circle downwind; the smell of a bear is strong, and thermals often carry it downhill.

Always carry bear spray and be prepared, not just for tracking your own, but for the chance of running into another.

It’s more than a hunt. It’s the stillness before the evening wind settles in, the sound of pine needles under your boots, and the weight of knowing you’re in true bear country. Whether you’re running bait, glassing distant slopes, or sitting in silence over a dark timber canyon, Wyoming makes you earn it.That’s what makes it unforgettable.