Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) is in the Bears family (Ursidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,801 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Brown Bear: observations by month (U.S.)
About Brown Bear
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is the most widely distributed bear and is found across much of northern Eurasia and North America. It is one of the largest living terrestrial members of the order Carnivora, rivaled in body size only by its close cousin, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), which is much less variable in size and slightly larger on average.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Brown Bear by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 3,337 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Wyoming | 363 | May | May–Sep |
| Montana | 101 | August | May–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Bears)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Brown Bear?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to September.
Where is Brown Bear most often seen?
The most observations come from Alaska, Wyoming, Montana.