Hunting in Wyoming: 8 Animals to Hunt in the Spring

Springtime in Wyoming provides hunters with the opportunity to harvest some of the state’s most popular big and small game.

Here’s a breakdown of what interested hunters can expect and some of the laws that they must follow:

Black Bear
Black bear are available for hunting in Wyoming, but there are some very specific rules that must be followed, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Hunting is allowed in a dozen of the hunting areas within Wyoming. There are several staggered seasons, depending on which hunting area will be involved. Two of the seasons start in April, one of which ends in May, while the other one goes into early June. All of the other seasons start in May and run through the middle of June.

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The number of bears allowed to be harvested is determined yearly. That means that depending on how many animals are taken in the spring, the number originally allocated for the fall season may be adjusted. To help prevent over-harvesting, the WGFD said, “it is the hunter’s responsibility to confirm that the hunt area the person intends to hunt is open.”

Mountain Lion
Anyone wishing to hunt mountain lion in Wyoming in the spring will need to get out in the field early. The season begins in early September and runs through the end of March in most areas. In Hunting Areas 27 and 31, located in the southeastern corner of the state, the season still begins in September of the previous year, but it runs until the last day of August in the following year, providing year-round opportunities.

Wild Turkey
The spring season for wild turkey is relatively short and only available in five of the designated hunting areas, the WGFD said. In all cases, only male wild turkeys or birds with a visible beard are eligible. Additionally, limited quotas may be in place in specific areas. Even within the designated hunting areas, there are geographic limitations in areas two and four. Hunters should check the department’s website for details.

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Falconry
Most people hunt small game such as rabbits and squirrel with rifles or shotguns. However, hunters in Wyoming that hunt with falcons can hunt cottontail rabbits or snowshoe hares starting in March and continuing through August. The same is true for red, gray, and fox squirrels. For all of these animals, the daily limit is one, with a possession limit of two.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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