Outdoors

With a huge wildfire season in Wyoming this year, one question people ask is why isn't cloud seeding used to induce rain and snow to fall on the fires. The simple answer is you have to have clouds to do that.

Why Couldn't Wyoming Wildfires Be Put Out By Cloud Seeding?

With almost a million acres of land burned up in Wyoming this year by wildfire, why not use cloud seeding to help? For cloud seeding to even have a chance, a cloud is needed -- something Wyoming hasn't had much of lately.

Renée JeanOctober 27, 2024

Casey Rislov of Casper (left) and Ron Hayes of Douglas hold copies of their book "Let Me Tell You About My Mom."

Douglas Photographer, Casper Author Create Wildlife Book For Kids

A lifelong passion for the Cowboy State and its wildlife has prompted a Douglas photographer and a Casper children's author to create a wildlife book for kids. It features animal moms and their young to inspire a curiosity about the wild side of Wyoming.

Amber SteinmetzOctober 26, 2024

Crews are also in the Elk Fire burn area assessing and repairing damage made during efforts to fight and contain the fire.

With Elk Fire 73% Contained, Locals Try To Reclaim “Some Level Of Normal”

Progress fighting the Elk Fire on the eastern Wyoming Bighorns is accelerating, going from 58% percent contained Friday to 73% Saturday. That’s allowing locals to try and reclaim “some level of normal.”

Greg JohnsonOctober 26, 2024

Could Grizzly 399 be cremated, if that's what's determined to be done with her body? Absolutely, says Paul Davis, owner of Yellowstone Pet Cremations in Powell, Wyoming. He's cremated animals of all sizes, including horses. Above is 399 and a crematorium apparatus at Davis' operation.

Grizzly 399 Could Be Cremated; Cody Crematorium Explains How It's Done

Paul Davis, owner of Yellowstone Pet Cremations in Powell, said he has the capacity to cremate Grizzly 399 — if that’s what’s decided to be done. His business has worked with the Fish & Wildlife Service to dispose of the remains of other protected species.

Andrew RossiOctober 25, 2024

Grizzly 399 and her cub, Spirit. Photo is owned by Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven and may not be reproduced

Driver Who Killed Grizzly 399 Did Nothing Wrong, Sheriff’s Office Says

Contrary to public outcry from some to prosecute the driver who hit and killed Grizzly 399, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says that’s not likely to happen. Its investigation shows the driver wasn’t speeding and did nothing wrong.

Leo WolfsonOctober 25, 2024

Fish And Wildlife Service Has Grizzly 399’s Body, Now Determining What To Do With It

The Fish and Wildlife Service on Thursday said it has possession of Grizzly 399’s body and is in the "early stages of determining the next steps.” Fans of the fallen grizzly told Cowboy State Daily they want some kind of memorial for the bear.

Andrew RossiOctober 24, 2024

Grizzly 399 with three of her cubs in Grand Teton National Park.

How Grizzly 399 Became The Most Popular Bear In The World

Grizzly 399’s rise to worldwide fame was achieved when she raised triplets near humans just as social media was taking-off. It also involved a decision in 2007 to let her live after she bit a Lander schoolteacher while protecting her cubs.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 24, 2024

Spirit is the sole cub born to Grizzly 399 in 2023.

Spirit, Grizzly 399’s Huge Cub, Has “High Chances” Of Survival Without Mom

Wildlife biologists say Grizzly 399's yearling cub, Spirit, has a "high chance of survival" even after the death of its mother. They think, even though it's not two years old yet, it will have the instinct to find a suitable den.

Mark Heinz & Greg JohnsonOctober 23, 2024

Wyoming wildlife photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven followed Grizzly 399 for years. This was one of his favorite photos of her, standing at Pilgrim in Grand Teton National Park amid springtime wildflowers.

Wyoming And The World Hit Hard By Death Of World’s Most Famous Bear, Grizzly 399

The long reign of the “Queen of the Tetons” came to an end late Tuesday, when Grizzly 399 was struck and killed by a vehicle south of Jackson. “Horrible news. She made it all the way to 28, only to get killed by a car," said wildlife photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven.

Mark HeinzOctober 23, 2024

Grizzly 399 and her 2023 cub were spotted for the first time in 2023 on May 16. (Photo is owned by Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven and may not be reproduced)

Grand Teton Wildlife Officials “Devastated” By Death Of Grizzly 399

As the public responds with grief over the death of Grizzly 399, Grand Teton wildlife officials are “devastated.” They say the world's most famous bear had become a symbol for the Grand Tetons and the state of Wyoming.

Greg JohnsonOctober 23, 2024

World Famous Grizzly 399 Dead After Hit By Vehicle

Grizzly 399, perhaps the most famous and popular bear in the world, was hit by a car and killed Tuesday night. She was 28. The bear’s identity was confirmed through ear tags and a microchip.

Leo WolfsonOctober 23, 2024

The sun rises over a community fire information board for the Elk Fire in the Bighorns of Wyoming.

Huge Wyoming Wildfires Can Still Be Dangerous, Firefighters Warn

Last week’s blast of winter cooled down the Elk and Pack Trail fires that have burned 185,000 acres in Wyoming. But firefighters warn that the fires aren’t out and can still be dangerous.

Greg JohnsonOctober 22, 2024

Freshman Eli Hill stripping an elk head at the Bugs ‘n Bones class at Wind River High School in Pavillion, Wyoming.

Wyoming High Schoolers Use Bugs, Power Tools To Clean Skulls For Hunters

Bugs and power tools are part of the curriculum for a class of Wyoming high schoolers. It’s the Bugs N’ Bones class at Wind River High, where students learn while they clean skulls for hunters.

Jackie DorothyOctober 20, 2024

Even with the rain and snow that fell on the Pack Trail Fire on Thursday and Friday, there are still plenty of hot spots burning.

Almost No Growth For Wyoming’s Large Wildfires, But Weather Reprieve Is Over

A two-day blast of winter dropped significant rain and snow on Wyoming’s two large wildfires, slowing them to almost no growth. But that reprieve is over, with warmer temperatures and more fire activity expected.

Greg JohnsonOctober 20, 2024

Dog Killed In Beaver Trap Could Heat Up Debate For Wyoming Trapping Reform

An Afton woman whose dog was killed in a beaver trap is pushing for trapping reform in Wyoming. But a trapper argues the changes would do more harm than good.

Mark HeinzOctober 19, 2024

Serious Health Conditions Don’t Stop Kids From Hunting Wyoming Big Game

Kaden Achor might not be able to walk because of cerebral palsy, but that didn’t stop him from stalking a big Wyoming bull elk. He crawled the last 75 yards or so across rough ground between Farson and Lander, trying his best to dodge prairie cactus. Then he had to pull off a 500-yard shot.

Mark HeinzOctober 19, 2024

Despite the wet and snowy weather, fire crews continue working the Pack Trail Fire in northwest wyoming.

Evacuations Lifted For All But 1 Person In Path Of Massive Wyoming Wildfires

Evacuations have been lifted for all but 1 person in the path of two massive Wyoming wildfires on Saturday. Two days of rain and snow haven’t put out the Elk and Pack Trail fires, but has “really put a hurt” on them.

Greg JohnsonOctober 19, 2024

The least-used entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the Southwest Entrance (aka Cascde Corner or the Bechler Entrance) is a dirt road that leads to some spectacular waterfalls and a historic Army outpost.

Yellowstone’s Least-Used Entrance Leads To Waterfalls, Historic Army Outpost

Yellowstone refers to the Bechler region as the park’s least traveled entrance because it is so far from any developed areas inside or outside the park. The dirt road barely shows up on some maps, but leads to stunning waterfalls, fields of blue meadows, and an historic Army outpost.

Andrew RossiOctober 19, 2024

If Feds De-List Wolves, Will Other States Follow Wyoming’s Lead And Hunt Them?

The Fish & Wildlife Service is trying to remove federal protection for wolves across the Lower 48. If that happens, it would be up to the states whether to allow wolves to be hunted. Hunting is already allowed in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.

Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2024

The face of the Bighorn Mountains over Dayton, Wyoming, are dusted with snow Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, a welcome sight from two weeks earlier when most of the mountain was glowing with a raging wildfire.

Snowstorm A “Thank You, God” Event For Those Living In Shadow Of Elk Fire

Seeing snow on the face of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains on Friday was a “thank you, God” moment for those threatened by the Elk Fire. It’s already burned 96,000 acres, but the storm has helped firefighters go from 28% containment to 44%.

Greg JohnsonOctober 18, 2024

This image from the Bear Lodge Resort webcam in the Wyoming Bighorns shows the arrival of much-anticipated snow. The lodge is near the Elk Fire, which has grown to about 96,000 acres.

Firefighters’ Prayers Answered With Snow Falling On Huge Wyoming Wildfires

Snow is finally falling on a pair of huge Wyoming wildfires. It’s literally the answer to the prayers of firefighters and locals living under the threat of the Elk and Pack Trail fires.

Renée JeanOctober 17, 2024

Opponents Say Proposed Colorado Mountain Lion Hunting Ban Is “Ballot-Box Biology”

Colorado voters on Nov. 5 will decide a proposed ban on mountain lion hunting. The ballot question has sparked a debate over what opponents call managing wildlife through “ballot-box biology.”

Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2024

This mule deer doe showed up Oct. 7 on Dave Paullin’s rural property near Sheridan. The burn marks on her flank indicate the she barely outran the massive Elk Fire, which exploded across eight miles the night before.

Spry Wyoming Doe Has Burn Marks To Prove She Outran Huge Elk Fire

A Sheridan-area resident said a mule deer doe showed up on his property bearing burn marks from having outrun the massive, fast-moving Elk Fire. The fire has burned more than 92,000 acres across the face of the Wyoming Bighorns.