Spring bear hunts in Wyoming take place from May 1- May 25th or until the quota fills. All hunting is done over established baits with rifles, where some of these baits have been around for 20 plus years and produce year after year. Color phase bears are common in the area. Most baits will have 3 to 5 bears coming to them. Big boars will be roaming in late May searching for hot sows. We take some of the biggest boars at this time. Most of the hunting is done in the afternoons and evenings. Mornings can be spent lounging around or doing some sightseeing, there are lots of elk and Shiras moose visible with newborn calves this time of year. If the sun is out rockdog hunting is also an option. Clients will usually head out around 2pm or 3pm to hunt and sit on a bait until dark. The biggest factor in the spring is in the weather. Spring snow storms can slow the hunting down but after they clear the bears come out hungry. Shots range from 75 yards to 200 yards depending on the bait site. Hunter success rate is typically 75% on this hunt. Come enjoy what spring has to offer in the Bighorns! Spring hunts take place from May 1- June 5.
Fall bear hunters will stay at an outfitted tent camp during their hunt. Mornings are usually spent lounging around camp after a hearty breakfast. There is some great trout fishing below camp where guests can also hunt blue grouse if they choose. Depending on which bait clients will be hunting, clients usually head out of camp between noon and 3pm and hunt until dark which is around 8pm. After the hunt, clients return to camp for a hearty meal and tales of the day's hunts. Bears this time of year all have long, even coats of 4 to 5 inches in preparation for winter hibernation which comes earlier in the mountains than most places. This ensures a beautiful rug or mount. Clients can expect to see multiple bears on this hunt as they are getting prepared for winter and the success rate on this hunt is close to 100%. Fall hunts run from September 1 - 4th. Tags can be purchased over-the-counter.
The biggest difference in the fall hunt from the spring hunt is the weather. Early September in the mountains is beautiful with sun and highs in the 60's to 70's with lows in the 30's. Spring weather varies from year to year. Wyoming can get snow storms on these hunts which typically slows the bears down and we see fewer bears.
In any type of big game draw, 75 % of available licenses in each hunt area and license type will be allotted to the preference point drawing. The remaining 25% of available licenses will be reserved for a random drawing. The random drawing is intended to provide everyone who applies a chance of drawing a license without preference points.
Like many other states, Wyoming gives non-resident hunters the option to purchase preference points to get a better shot at a preferred hunt. You can purchase a preference point only from July 1 - November 2. Preference points are a way for hunters to improve their odds of eventually drawing a license in a hard-to-draw hunt area. To get the best use of your preference points, check out the application strategies. Click here to find out more information or apply for preference points.
The preference point system is designed to improve an applicant’s odds of eventually drawing a high demand license in Wyoming. Seventy-five percent (75%) of available licenses in each hunt area and license type are allocated to the preference point drawing. Applicants with the highest preference point ranking will receive priority in the preference point drawing. The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of available licenses will be allocated in a random drawing regardless of preference points. The random drawing is intended to provide everyone who applies a chance of drawing a license, regardless of their preference point total. Preference points will be required to draw elk and moose tags in the units we hunt unless you get lucky in the random draw. Deer and antelope tags can be drawn with one point.
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Experience trophy hunts in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains with Beaver Trap Outfitters since 2006.