Snowy Range Black Bears - unit 8

[hunt1up]

In all likelihood our group will be hunting elk/deer in the Medicine Bow NF this fall. It crossed my mind to consider carrying a bear license this year. One guy in our group had a bear run by him while standing on the road last year and it was the only bear we saw during the trip.

Is the population in the area good enough to justify a license? I've never actually pursued black bears so it would be "in case we see one" type scenario.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Sorry for the double post. See below.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

The bear population in Wyoming is increasing. Having said that, the chances of a chance encounter with a bear while elk/deer hunting in the Snowies are not good.

You don't say whether you are a resident or not. If you are a resident, you can get a bear license for about $50. In that case, I would go for it.

I hunt elk in the Sierra Madres (one mountain range to the west). The bear population is better there. In the past five years, I have had two chance encounters with bears. I didn't get either one. Was archery hunting.

 

[hunt1up]

The bear population in Wyoming is increasing. Having said that, the chances of a chance encounter with a bear while elk/deer hunting in the Snowies are not good.

You don't say whether you are a resident or not. If you are a resident, you can get a bear license for about $50. In that case, I would go for it.

I hunt elk in the Sierra Madres (one mountain range to the west). The bear population is better there. In the past five years, I have had two chance encounters with bears. I didn't get either one. Was archery hunting.

Thanks. I'm a non-resident so that makes the price hard to swallow for a what-if scenario. We'll have enough to keep us busy between elk and deer that I probably won't bother.

 

[libidilatimmy]

I hunt elk in the Sierra Madres (one mountain range to the west). The bear population is better there. In the past five years, I have had two chance encounters with bears. I didn't get either one. Was archery hunting.

I'll second this, the Sierra Madres have more bears in the areas I've been hunting in. I had one last fall walk right by my tent just before sunrise last year while bow hunting elk.

 

[ssliger]

I hunt elk in the Snowy range every fall. I see bear sign all over the place where I hunt. But I've only seen a sow w/ cubs once. Good luck. Pm me if you have any questions about the units. I also have a strong back if you need help once you have animals down.


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[AT Hiker]

We will be hunting deer, hopefully, in the snowies this fall and thought about a bear tag as well but since it will be our first time in the area we are opting out. Seen some down low on the eastern side of the snowies last fall while antelope hunting. They were eating the berries, but I assume come October they will be back up high...dont know though.



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[Murdy]

How do you hunt them out there if you are actually targeting them? Spot and stalk?

 

[Hilltop]

How do you hunt them out there if you are actually targeting them? Spot and stalk?

Most guys use bait... I grew up in Laramie and hunted the snowy range primarily. Bear sightings were very rare. I can only remember seeing 3 or 4 in all my years hunting there. I wouldn't buy the tag if they were $20.

 

[hunt1up]

Welp, this will be a non-issue for me now. We didn't draw the elk tag, so it's on to plan B.

 

[Hilltop]

Welp, this will be a non-issue for me now. We didn't draw the elk tag, so it's on to plan B.

Did you have any preference points?

 

[hunt1up]

Did you have any preference points?

We were applying for a cow tag, unit 12. I'll be buying my 4th point this summer.

 

[AT Hiker]

We were applying for a cow tag, unit 12. I'll be buying my 4th point this summer.

Have u ever hunted elk in 12? Crazy u couldnt draw a cow tag in a general bull unit.


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[hunt1up]

Have u ever hunted elk in 12? Crazy u couldnt draw a cow tag in a general bull unit.


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Yeah, hunted it last year and killed a nice fat cow. It was something like 88% draw odds last year. Like 26 people applied for 24 tags. This year it was 70 something applicants and it went to crap.

I think it's because the same unit is 79 deer, which recently went limited quota and is rated green chip. The deer hunters must want to cow hunt too since the cow season starts with the deer season.

I know we didn't see a deer with more than forks on its head in 10 days. My buddy killed a spike.

 

[Hilltop]

Makes no sense to me on these two areas...78 and 79. The deer population just isn't back yet. I think in a few years it will be great hunting but right now I'm not sure it is worthy of the green chip.

 

[Murdy]

Most guys use bait... I grew up in Laramie and hunted the snowy range primarily. Bear sightings were very rare. I can only remember seeing 3 or 4 in all my years hunting there. I wouldn't buy the tag if they were $20.

I grew up in northern Wisconsin. The only guys that didn't bait used dogs. Pretty hard hunt for a NR unless you know someone who will let you hunt a bait site (or pay for the privilege). They are all over, and I think I've seen 2 in my life while hunting.

 

[hunt1up]

Makes no sense to me on these two areas...78 and 79. The deer population just isn't back yet. I think in a few years it will be great hunting but right now I'm not sure it is worthy of the green chip.

I agree. I've killed two bucks, neither big, in general B, that were bigger than any deer we saw on 79.

 

[kcaves]

I elk hunted the snowies for one weekend and we ran into a huge bruin up there while bow hunting. Scared us as much as it did him