Overview
Wyoming is a premier destination for hunters, anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts, boasting vast public lands like Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Here, you can track big game such as elk and mule deer in the rugged mountains, or cast for native cutthroat trout in crystal-clear rivers and streams. The state's diverse ecosystems support a range of species, making it ideal for conservationists to observe wildlife in action, from pronghorn antelope on the plains to birds like the American black duck. With its mix of wilderness and accessibility, Wyoming offers thrilling adventures for those seeking ethical and sustainable outdoor pursuits.
Terrain & Habitat
Wyoming's terrain features the majestic Rocky Mountains, rolling high plains, and expansive river valleys, providing a variety of habitats for wildlife. Forests, alpine meadows, and sagebrush steppes dominate, supporting species adapted to both arid and moist environments, with key spots like the Wind River Range for fishing and the Bighorn Mountains for hunting.
Best Times
- Hunting
- Fall, typically September to November for big game like elk and deer
- Fishing
- Summer, typically June to August for trout in rivers and lakes
- Wildlife Viewing
- Spring and fall, typically April to June and September to October for migrations and rutting seasons
Climate by Month
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32 | 10 | 0.5 | Cold and snowy with frequent storms |
| February | 35 | 14 | 0.6 | Still cold with more sunshine |
| March | 42 | 22 | 0.8 | Transitioning with melting snow |
| April | 52 | 31 | 1.2 | Mild with occasional rain |
| May | 63 | 39 | 1.8 | Warming with thunderstorms |
| June | 74 | 47 | 1.5 | Warm and dry with afternoon rains |
| July | 84 | 54 | 1 | Hot and sunny with low humidity |
| August | 82 | 52 | 0.9 | Warm with possible dry spells |
| September | 72 | 43 | 0.8 | Cooling with clear skies |
| October | 58 | 32 | 0.7 | Crisp and variable with early frosts |
| November | 44 | 24 | 0.6 | Cold and windy with snow |
| December | 34 | 14 | 0.5 | Harsh winter conditions with snow |
Getting There
Fly into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 5 miles from Jackson, or Casper-Natrona County Airport (CPR), roughly 100 miles from central Wyoming; for broader access, Denver International Airport (DEN) is about 250 miles south via I-25.
Gear Recommendations
Bring layered clothing for variable weather, including insulated jackets and boots for snow; waders and lightweight rods for stream trout fishing; a quality scope for spotting game in open plains, and bear spray for backcountry safety.
Regulations Summary
Wyoming has strict rules on bag limits, seasons, and licenses for hunting and fishing; residents pay approximately $30-50, non-residents around $200-500 for big game tags. Verify current regulations at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/.
Insider Tips
- Hit the backroads early for less pressure on elk spots in the Tetons.
- Local streams fish best after a rain; ask at the bait shop for current flows.
- Avoid hunting near popular trails to steer clear of tourists and rangers.
- Pack extra fuel for remote areas; gas stations are sparse in the Wind Rivers.
- Respect ranchers' fences—offer a wave and they might share access tips
Notable Species (52)
- Tiger troutSalmo trutta x Salvelinus fontinalis
- Greater white-fronted gooseAnser albifrons
- Common merganserMergus merganser
- Cinnamon teal duckAnas cyanoptera
- American wigeon duckAnas americana
- White-cheeked pintail duckAnas bahamenis
- White crappiePomoxis annularis
- White suckerCatostomus commersoni
- Wood duckAnas sponsa
- Ring-Necked duckAythya collaris
- Blue winged teal duckAnas discors
- BuffleheadBucephala ableola
- Blue grouseDendragapus obscurus
- BurbotLota lota
- Canvasback duckAythya valisineria
- Common goldeneyeBucephala clangula americana
- Common goldeneyeBucephala clangula
- Gadwall duckAnas strepera
- Hooded merganserMergus cucullatus
- Lesser Scaup duckAythya affinis
- Lesser snow gooseAnser caerulescens caerulescens
- Merriam's turkeyMeleagris gallopavo merriami
- Northern pintail duckAnas acuta
- Northern shoveler duckAnas clypeata
- Ohrid troutSalmo letnica
- QuillbackCarpiodes cyprinus
- Redhead duckAythya americana
- Shorthead redhorseMoxostoma macrolepidotum
- Shovelnose sturgeonScaphirhynchus platorynchus
- Smallmouth bassMicropterus dolomieu
- Sockeye salmonOncorhynchus nerka
- Common teal duckAnas crecca
- Harlequin duckHistrionicus histrionicus
- Red-breasted merganserMergus serrator
- Barrow's goldeneye duckBucephala islandica
- Greater scaup duckAythya marila
- Greater sage grouseCentrocercus urophasianus
- Flathead catfishPylodictis olivaris
- Tiger muskellungeEsox masquinongy x Esox Lucius
- Ruddy duckOxyura jamaicensis
- Flannelmouth suckerCatostomus latipinnis
- Grass carpCtenopharyngodon idella
- Utah chubGila Atraria
- Utah suckerCatostmus ardens
- Rocky Mountain bighorn sheepOvis canadensis canadensis
- Cutthroat troutOncorhynchus clarkii
- Black crappiePomoxis nigromaculatus
- Canada gooseBranta canadensis
- Brook troutSalvelinus fontinalis
- WalleyeSander vitreus
- Mallard duckAnas platyrhynchos
- Largemouth bassMicropterus salmoides
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