Bears in Texas in September

Yes, September is a good month to see bears in Texas. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 58 of the 579 sightings logged across the year (10%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

T

By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

East Mexican Black Bear photographed in TexasAmerican Black Bear photographed in TexasAmerican Black Bear photographed in Texas
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for bears in Texas

10%

of yearly sightings

58

records in September

#4

busiest month of 12

579

verified records a year

August 7.3%, September 10%, October 14.3%. Busiest month is May at 16.8%.

Best months: May, November, October

579 verified observations of bears in Texas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bears are recorded in Texas

Peak month

May

97 records (16.8% of the year)

Quietest month

February

7 records

MonthObservationsShare
January213.6%
February71.2%
March234%
April467.9%
Maypeak9716.8%
June478.1%
July406.9%
August427.3%
September5810%
Octoberpeak8314.3%
Novemberpeak9015.5%
December254.3%

Bears you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
American Black Bear579

In Texas, September carries 10% of the year's bears sightings, about 1.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from August (7.3%) into September, and it heads toward October (14.3%) after. The busiest month is May (16.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The bears most often recorded in Texas are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.

Which bears you are most likely to see

  • American Black Bear579 records
Plan your tripAmistad National Recreation Area

Plan your bear trip in Texas

Start with live tours near Amistad National Recreation Area, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bears in Texas in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 58 of the 579 verified bears sightings logged in Texas across the year, which is 10% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see bears in Texas?+

September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though May and November is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for bears in Texas?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, November and October, based on 579 verified observations.

Which bears are you most likely to see in Texas?+

The most-recorded species in Texas are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.