Living With Wildlife On Pinedale Properties

Sharing a fence line with elk or waking to fresh moose tracks is part of life in Pinedale. You probably love that wild backdrop, but you also want your family, pets, and property to stay safe. This guide gives you simple, local steps to manage attractants, understand key rules, and plan upgrades that work with wildlife rather than against it. Let’s dive in.

Why wildlife is part of life in Pinedale

More than 80 percent of Sublette County is public land, so animals move through open country, town edges, and private parcels year-round. You may see elk, deer, moose, pronghorn, black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, beavers, and a wide range of birds. For a quick overview of local species and seasonal viewing, explore the regional wildlife guide from Visit Pinedale.

Common wildlife near homes

Bears: focus on attractants

Bears become active in spring through fall and will return to any easy food source. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) urges you to secure trash, pet food, bird seed, fruit, grills, and compost. Review WGFD’s practical reminders in its bear awareness guidance.

Moose, elk, deer, and pronghorn

These animals often use valley floors and town edges in winter and during migrations. They can browse trees and shrubs, damage landscaping, and create driving hazards at dawn and dusk. Older woven or tight barbed fencing can also trap or injure wildlife, especially pronghorn.

Mountain lions, coyotes, and foxes

Predators are present across foothills and river corridors and may target small livestock or outdoor pets, mainly at night. Supervise pets, use night enclosures, and keep attractants off the landscape. For encounter basics, see the Mountain Lion Foundation’s frequently asked questions.

Beavers and streams

Beavers can dam small waterways and irrigation ditches, shifting water onto yards, roads, or fences. If you notice new activity, act early by adjusting infrastructure and seeking advice before flooding becomes costly.

Know the rules and who to call

If your property is near or you recreate on the Bridger–Teton National Forest, you must follow seasonal food-storage orders that require you to secure food and attractants where bears cannot access them. Check current alerts for the Pinedale Ranger District on the Forest Service’s food storage order page.

For local updates, workshops, or to report a problem animal, contact the WGFD Pinedale Regional Office using the regional office page. Your town or county may also share trash pickup rules and availability of bear-resistant containers.

Make your property wildlife-smart

Remove the attractants first

A clean property is the single best prevention step.

• Trash: Store garbage in a locked building or use certified bear-resistant containers. Put bins out the morning of pickup.
• Pet and livestock feed: Do not feed pets outside. Secure feed indoors and bring bowls in at night.
• Grills and outdoor cooking: Clean after each use. Store grills inside when possible.
• Bird feeders and fruit: Pause bird feeding during bear season. Pick fruit promptly.
• Compost and gardens: Use closed systems or add a low-strand electric fence around gardens and beehives. WGFD’s bear awareness guidance covers these steps.

Secure access and add light

Lock garages, sheds, and vehicles. Bears can open doors and windows to reach food. Motion-activated lighting helps deter night visitors and keeps you aware of activity.

Choose wildlife-friendly fencing

If you are replacing older fencing, consider wildlife-friendly designs that allow animals to pass while keeping livestock in. A common standard is a smooth bottom wire 16 to 18 inches above ground, a top wire no higher than 42 inches, and a 12-inch gap between the top two wires. The USDA explains why these designs work in its overview of fences that allow wildlife to move. Cost-share options may be available through partners.

Protect pets and small livestock

Keep small pets indoors or supervised at night. Use night enclosures for poultry and small stock. Electric netting and properly grounded perimeter lines add security.

Drive carefully at dawn and dusk

Seasonal migrations bring animals across county roads and highways. Slow down in known crossing zones, especially in low light or bad weather.

If you have a close encounter

• Bear: Do not run. Speak calmly, back away slowly, and give the bear space. Carry and know how to use bear spray. Review WGFD’s bear awareness guidance.
• Mountain lion: Do not run. Face the animal, make yourself look larger, speak firmly, and if attacked, fight back. See encounter steps in the Mountain Lion Foundation’s FAQ.

Insurance basics for wildlife damage

Many homeowners policies cover sudden damage, like a bear breaking a window, but exclusions are common and every policy is different. Ask your insurer about wildlife-caused structure damage, vehicle collisions with animals, and any livestock losses. For an overview of what policies often include or exclude, review this consumer primer on homeowners insurance basics. Keep photos and any official reports for claims.

Funding and partner programs

If you want to convert fencing or improve habitat while protecting your investment, explore partner programs. The WYldlife Fund’s Pooled Migration Fund supports local fence conversions and migration work; landowners can learn more about opportunities on the program page. Ask about NRCS and WGFD partnerships that may provide technical help or cost-share.

Living with wildlife is part of the value of owning in Pinedale. With a few smart choices, you can protect your home, keep animals wild, and enjoy the landscape that drew you here. If you are buying or selling and want a property plan that balances value, safety, and stewardship, reach out to Deirdre Griffith for local, land-savvy guidance.

FAQs

Do I need bear-proof trash for a Pinedale home?

• On Bridger–Teton National Forest lands, unattended food and garbage must be secured under the current food-storage order. In town, follow local guidance and keep trash indoors until pickup or use bear-resistant containers; check the Forest Service’s food storage order for nearby areas.

Who do I call about a bear or mountain lion on my property in Pinedale?

• Keep people and pets inside, give the animal an exit, and call the WGFD Pinedale Regional Office using the regional office page. For immediate public safety threats, contact local law enforcement first.

What fencing works best for wildlife movement in Sublette County?

• Wildlife-friendly designs use a smooth bottom wire 16 to 18 inches above ground, a top wire at or below 42 inches, and at least 12 inches between the top two wires. See the USDA overview of fences that allow wildlife to move and ask about partner cost-share programs.

Are pets at risk from mountain lions near Pinedale homes?

• Attacks on people are rare, but small pets are vulnerable if left outside, especially at night. Supervise pets, use night enclosures, and follow encounter steps in the Mountain Lion Foundation’s FAQ.