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)
- Ohrid troutSalmo letnica
- Shovelnose sturgeonScaphirhynchus platorynchus
- QuillbackCarpiodes cyprinus
- White suckerCatostomus commersoni
- Utah chubGila Atraria
- Cutthroat troutOncorhynchus clarkii
- Blue winged teal duckAnas discors
- Lesser snow gooseAnser caerulescens caerulescens
- Tiger troutSalmo trutta x Salvelinus fontinalis
- Blue grouseDendragapus obscurus
- Common teal duckAnas crecca
- Canvasback duckAythya valisineria
- Common merganserMergus merganser
- Merriam's turkeyMeleagris gallopavo merriami
- Redhead duckAythya americana
- Gadwall duckAnas strepera
- White-cheeked pintail duckAnas bahamenis
- Harlequin duckHistrionicus histrionicus
- Common goldeneyeBucephala clangula americana
- Ruddy duckOxyura jamaicensis
- BuffleheadBucephala ableola
- Red-breasted merganserMergus serrator
- White crappiePomoxis annularis
- Shorthead redhorseMoxostoma macrolepidotum
- Flannelmouth suckerCatostomus latipinnis
- Grass carpCtenopharyngodon idella
- Tiger muskellungeEsox masquinongy x Esox Lucius
- BurbotLota lota
- Sockeye salmonOncorhynchus nerka
- Greater white-fronted gooseAnser albifrons
- Smallmouth bassMicropterus dolomieu
- Rocky Mountain bighorn sheepOvis canadensis canadensis
- Ring-Necked duckAythya collaris
- Barrow's goldeneye duckBucephala islandica
- Lesser Scaup duckAythya affinis
- Greater scaup duckAythya marila
- Hooded merganserMergus cucullatus
- Cinnamon teal duckAnas cyanoptera
- Northern shoveler duckAnas clypeata
- Utah suckerCatostmus ardens
- American wigeon duckAnas americana
- Northern pintail duckAnas acuta
- Wood duckAnas sponsa
- Greater sage grouseCentrocercus urophasianus
- Flathead catfishPylodictis olivaris
- Black crappiePomoxis nigromaculatus
- Canada gooseBranta canadensis
- Brook troutSalvelinus fontinalis
- WalleyeSander vitreus
- Mallard duckAnas platyrhynchos
- Largemouth bassMicropterus salmoides
- White-tailed deerOdocoileus virginianus