WY Spring Bear - Has anyone been seeing any?

[SilentTree]

Hey All,

I have been hunting the Snowies for spring bear around the 8500-9000 ft mark. Focusing on the green up on South facing slopes. Still no luck at digging up a bear. Has anyone been seeing any? What elevation bands have you been seeing them at if so?

 

[7RemMag]

Hey All,

I have been hunting the Snowies for spring bear around the 8500-9000 ft mark. Focusing on the green up on South facing slopes. Still no luck at digging up a bear. Has anyone been seeing any? What elevation bands have you been seeing them at if so?

Currently, there has only been one bear killed in the entire state. It was a sow. That was a week or two ago. I've not looked at satellite maps lately, but I'd wager that it might be a little early for this year. Last spring, we saw one track in a snowdrift about the second week of the season. It was up pretty high, and it wasn't fresh enough to warrant tracking. At that time, there weren't many killed. By the time we made our second trip, there were a handful more killed. After that, I found out I drew a special tag, and we shifted our attention elsewhere.

 

[wyosteve]

Had 2 younger ones down here on the flats about 2 weeks ago. Not much snow in the hills by me.

 

[Jmelehr84]

Hey All,

I have been hunting the Snowies for spring bear around the 8500-9000 ft mark. Focusing on the green up on South facing slopes. Still no luck at digging up a bear. Has anyone been seeing any? What elevation bands have you been seeing them at if so?

I am waiting to hit the snowies or the madres in mid to late May, as it feels like the lines and weather aren’t quite there yet.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I saw 2 on Friday
It is almost perfect conditions here in the western part of state

 

[ezwy]

Currently, there has only been one bear killed in the entire state. It was a sow. That was a week or two ago. I've not looked at satellite maps lately, but I'd wager that it might be a little early for this year. Last spring, we saw one track in a snowdrift about the second week of the season. It was up pretty high, and it wasn't fresh enough to warrant tracking. At that time, there weren't many killed. By the time we made our second trip, there were a handful more killed. After that, I found out I drew a special tag, and we shifted our attention elsewhere.

There have been 4 females out of the quota of 7 killed in an area I'm hoping to hunt next week....

 

[Hoosker Doo]

There have been 4 females out of the quota of 7 killed in an area I'm hoping to hunt next week....

Was just about to say that... beat me to it

 

[7RemMag]

Was just about to say that... beat me to it

Spring Black Bear

docs.google.com

I was going off of the google doc given. Last year, it was kept up to date by the day. I looked again and the last update to the document given was 4/21/25. Typical government at work for ya. Silly me for taking for granted that they would actually keep it up to date.

I apologize for spreading incorrect information.

 

[Gynaroo]

Hey All,

I have been hunting the Snowies for spring bear around the 8500-9000 ft mark. Focusing on the green up on South facing slopes. Still no luck at digging up a bear. Has anyone been seeing any? What elevation bands have you been seeing them at if so?

We were up there last week. Didn’t see any bears. Did see sign that they had been there recently. But no critters in the tracks. Once 5/1 happened it quickly turned into a shed hunt with the hope of running into a bear. I’ll be back out in a few weeks if the quota doesn’t get the area closed. We were in the same elevation as you. Not a huge amount of green yet. But we also got snow two of the days.

 

[Hoosker Doo]

Spring Black Bear

docs.google.com

I was going off of the google doc given. Last year, it was kept up to date by the day. I looked again and the last update to the document given was 4/21/25. Typical government at work for ya. Silly me for taking for granted that they would actually keep it up to date.

I apologize for spreading incorrect information.

I didn't know about the doc. That's a good resource. Thanks. I was wondering if you were calling in about a bunch of the units or what haha

 

[7RemMag]

I didn't know about the doc. That's a good resource. Thanks. I was wondering if you were calling in about a bunch of the units or what haha

I understand the feeling. I certainly wouldn’t give information out without at least believing it to be true. Like I said previously, last year that doc was kept up to date with every kill. I foolishly assumed that it had been treated the same this year, and neglected to look at the “Last updated” part. Last year, I used it as. Measure to decide when the hunting was getting good. I’m truly glad you pointed this out. My crew and I had been putting it off thinking that the hunting wasn’t good yet. It seemed odd that only 1 bear had been killed by this point, but I know we got some substantial snow accumulation pretty late this year. It made sense-to an extent at least.

 

[Hoosker Doo]

I understand the feeling. I certainly wouldn’t give information out without at least believing it to be true. Like I said previously, last year that doc was kept up to date with every kill. I foolishly assumed that it had been treated the same this year, and neglected to look at the “Last updated” part. Last year, I used it as. Measure to decide when the hunting was getting good. I’m truly glad you pointed this out. My crew and I had been putting it off thinking that the hunting wasn’t good yet. It seemed odd that only 1 bear had been killed by this point, but I know we got some substantial snow accumulation pretty late this year. It made sense-to an extent at least.

I wish they would update it. I just checked and the area where I live on the west side of the state now has 1 female harvest as well

 

[707Veteran]

Know one guy that shot a giant on the shed opener, randomly out looking for sheds. Have a sow coming into my bait for about 2 weeks now.

 

[ADHDBOWHUNTER]

I was in the snowies for the first week of May for a few days, mostly for scouting purposes, but did not see any Bears. A little too early. Headed out this week. @Jmelehr84, if you're around there this week, let me know. I hunt that area a lot.

 

[Jmelehr84]

I was in the snowies for the first week of May for a few days, mostly for scouting purposes, but did not see any Bears. A little too early. Headed out this week. @Jmelehr84, if you're around there this week, let me know. I hunt that area a lot.

@ADHDBOWHUNTER thanks! This week wont work. However, I will be up that way May 24th-28th if you have some time on your hands! Be happy to connect. Feel free to shoot a text or email (hope I am not breaking any rules). johnmlehr(at)icloud.com or nine seven zero 689 1607.

 

[Seay]

@ADHDBOWHUNTER thanks! This week wont work. However, I will be up that way May 24th-28th if you have some time on your hands! Be happy to connect. Feel free to shoot a text or email (hope I am not breaking any rules). johnmlehr(at)icloud.com or nine seven zero 689 1607.

I’ll be headed that way on the 24th too. Plan to stay till the 31st. Taking a friend and my 12yr old to try again. Last year was a blast but no bear sightings.


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[Jmelehr84]

I’ll be headed that way on the 24th too. Plan to stay till the 31st. Taking a friend and my 12yr old to try again. Last year was a blast but no bear sightings.


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That's awesome! Best of luck and cant wait to hear about the success stories! Yeah, I tried to get my soon to be 11 year old out but hes got too many sports going on right now. Solo it is.