century, efforts to remove mountain lions from many areas of Wyoming caused local extirpations. However, robust populations are currently found in the Black Hills of northeastern Wyoming, the pinyon-juniper country of southwestern Wyoming, and all major mountain ranges throughout the state.

In Wyoming, mountain lions (also known as cougars or pumas) are found in nearly every major mountain range and rugged landscape across the state. Their primary habitats include the Bighorn Mountains, the Wind River Range, the Snowy Range, and the areas surrounding Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. They are highly adaptable predators that thrive anywhere there is a combination of "stalking cover" (such as dense timber, tall brush, or rocky cliffs) and a healthy population of their primary prey, mule deer and elk. They are also frequently sighted in the pinyon-juniper country of southwestern Wyoming and the Black Hills in the northeast. Because they are solitary and elusive "ghosts of the mountains," you are unlikely to see one, but they are most active at dawn and dusk. State wildlife officials note that as prey populations shift, mountain lions are increasingly seen in lower-elevation "foothills" and riparian areas near human settlements.

Excellent question! Mountain lions (also called cougars or pumas) are found throughout Wyoming, but their distribution is closely tied to habitat and prey availability.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of where they live in the state:

Primary Habitats (Highest Densities)

1. The Rocky Mountains: This is their core habitat. The rugged terrain, forest cover (especially ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen), and abundance of deer and elk make it ideal.

   • Key Ranges: The Bighorn Mountains, Wind River Range, Absaroka Mountains, Teton Range, and the Sierra Madre Range in the south.
   • Notable Areas: The Black Hills in northeastern Wyoming also support a stable population.

2. Major River Breaks and Canyonlands: These areas provide cover, water, and prey corridors.

   • Bighorn Canyon
   • North Platte River breaks
   • Laramie River Valley foothills

Expanding and Secondary Habitats

Mountain lions are highly adaptable and have been expanding into more foothill and even some prairie regions, especially where deer populations are high and there is rocky outcrop or riparian cover for ambush hunting. Foothills surrounding the major mountain ranges. Isolated Buttes and Mesas: Features like Pine Bluffs and Laramie Peak can support transient or resident lions. Riparian Corridors in eastern Wyoming: Lions will follow river systems (like the Powder River) with tree cover far out into otherwise open country.

Areas with Few or No Mountain Lions

• The vast, open shortgrass prairies and high desert basins (like the Red Desert) with no cover.
• Intensive agricultural areas with no broken terrain.

Important Context for Wyoming:

• Population Estimate: The Wyoming Game and Fish Department estimates the statewide population to be relatively stable, generally between 2,000 and 3,000 animals.
• They Are Everywhere in Suitable Habitat: A common saying among wildlife biologists in the West is, “If there are deer and cover, there are probably mountain lions.” They are secretive and rarely seen, but their presence is widespread.
• Management: Wyoming manages mountain lions as a big game animal with regulated hunting seasons to maintain sustainable populations and address conflicts.
• Conflict Areas: As lions move into foothill zones, encounters near human settlements like Cody, Sheridan, Laramie, Casper, and Gillette have increased. They are also present in the outskirts of Jackson and Cheyenne where development meets wildland.

In summary: While you are unlikely to encounter one, mountain lions inhabit virtually every mountain range, major river canyon, and forested foothill region in Wyoming. Their range is most continuous in the western two-thirds of the state, with more patchy distribution in the east along suitable habitat corridors.