Outdoors

A legislative bill proposes lifting most of the restrictions on mountain lion hunting in Wyoming. Opponents worry that would lead to a slaughter of too many of the big cats.

Open Season On Wyoming Mountain Lions Would Be Overkill, Hunters Say

A proponent of an open season on mountain lions says a bill allowing year-round hunting would save Wyoming’s prized mule deer. But some mountain lion hunters argue it could wipe out the big cats.

Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2025

Biggest Earthquake Since 2023 Rumbles Under Yellowstone, Felt 30 Miles Away

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake was measured near Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday evening. It's the largest earthquake in the park since March 2023 and felt 30 miles away.

Andrew RossiJanuary 29, 2025

A whitetail deer, left, and mule deer, right.

Bill To Split Whitetail-Mule Deer Season Dies On Senate Floor

After another round of debate over whether to split hunting seasons for Wyoming’s white-tailed deer and mule deer, the latest effort to do so died on the Senate floor Monday.

Mark HeinzJanuary 28, 2025

Casper Turkeys Wear Out Their Welcome: 145 Removed So Far Through Trapping Program

If a trap-and-release program succeeds, Casper will no longer be wild turkey central. So far, 145 of the big, obnoxious birds have been caught and released back into the wild.

Mark HeinzJanuary 27, 2025

Allowing Landowners To Sell Hunting Tags Would Make Wyoming Wildlife Sport For The Rich, Opponents Say

A proposal to allow landowners to sell their hunting tags would make hunting in Wyoming the sport of kings, opponents say. It would amount to “nothing more than the exploitation and monetization of our wildlife resources," said Muley Fanatics Foundation CEO Josh Coursey.

Mark HeinzJanuary 27, 2025

The look like unfinished lightweight helicopters, but for decades snowplanes have been an invaluable tool for getting around the remote areas of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks during winter.

Wyoming History: Afton's Snowplanes Skimmed Over A Snowy Yellowstone At 100 MPH With No Brakes

The CallAir snowplane, built in Afton, was a revolutionary vehicle. It made it possible to deliver mail, supplies and scientists across the snow-covered terrain of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks at 100 mph — with no brakes.

Andrew RossiJanuary 26, 2025

Wyoming’s search and rescue teams are handling more costly, complex missions as outdoor recreation booms, straining a limited state fund. To keep services free and sustainable, volunteers lean on donations and a new specialty license plate program.

Being Hurt In The Middle Of Nowhere Can Be Deadly If You Don’t Know What To Do

Whether it’s a misguided hunting arrow, getting mauled by a grizzly or getting impaled on a tree branch, the wide-open spaces of Wyoming can be dangerous — if not downright deadly. One Wyoming group is dedicated to making sure people know what to do.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 25, 2025

Harriet Hageman and others say there’s a chance Wyoming’s grizzlies will be delisted from endangered status after all with President Donald Trump back in office. His pick for Interior secretary says “I’m with you” on delisting.

With Trump Back In Office, Hageman Says Grizzly Delisting Back On The Table

Congresswoman Harriet Hageman and others say there’s a much better chance grizzlies will be delisted from endangered status with President Trump back in office. His pick for Interior secretary says “I’m with you” on delisting.

Mark HeinzJanuary 25, 2025

Bills Could Help Wyoming's Image After Wolf Abuse, Say Retired Wildlife Officers

In response to the abuse of a wolf near Daniel last year, Wyoming aims to outlaw allowing animals to suffer. Some retired wildlife officers say the state's image is still tarnished, and that running wolves down with snowmobiles should also be banned.

Mark HeinzJanuary 25, 2025

More Than Just Fishing Guides May Need To Be Regulated, Legislators Say

A bill calling for more regulation of fishing guides in Wyoming prompted a broader discussion about whether all forms of outdoor recreation need more oversight here -- including rock climbers, mountain bikers and others, legislators said Thursday.

Mark HeinzJanuary 24, 2025

State Rep. Bill Allemand, R-Midwest, wants to close a loophole in Wyoming's wildlife laws that technically makes it illegal to trap and kill a mouse in your vehicle. You could get a year in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Killing A Mouse In Your Truck Can Get You A Year In Jail In Wyoming

A Wyoming legislator wants to close some loopholes in Wyoming wildlife laws. That includes eliminating one that technically could get someone a year in jail and fined $10,000 for killing a mouse inside a vehicle.

Mark HeinzJanuary 24, 2025

State Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, in hat, testified Tuesday in favor of a bill that would split whitetail and mule deer hunting seasons in Wyoming.

Bill To Split Whitetail And Mule Deer Seasons Passes, But Some Hunters Not Sold

A bill that will split whitetail and mule deer seasons passed out of a legislative committee Tuesday. But some Wyoming hunters say that won’t help.

Mark HeinzJanuary 22, 2025

A woman fly fishes from a drift boat on the North Platte River near Casper, Wyoming.

Bill Aims To Stop Wyoming’s Prime Trout Waters Getting Mobbed By Out-Of-Staters

Wyoming’s prime trout fishing spots are getting mobbed by out-of-staters. Backers of a bill said Tuesday it could stop that by restricting the number of boats allowed on prime sections of the state’s rivers.

Mark HeinzJanuary 21, 2025

A vent on the undersea volcano Axial Seamount.

3,600-Foot-Tall Undersea Volcano Expected To Blow This Year, But Nobody’s Worried

Axial Seamount is a young, 30 million-year-old undersea volcano in the Pacific Ocean off the U.S. coast, and it’s expected to blow this year. While “fascinating” and spectacular, nobody’s worried about it.

Andrew RossiJanuary 20, 2025

The sampled subfossil whitebark pine trees along the margin of the ice patch.

Ancient Ice Forests In Beartooth Mountains Give Up 6,000-Year-Old Secrets

Researchers are revealing the secrets of 6,000-year-old pine forests, preserved in ice patches in the Beartooth Mountains. These ice forests are giving up ancient secrets about the past — and future — of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Andrew RossiJanuary 19, 2025

Unraveling “whodunit” mysteries when cattle or big game animals are killed by predators can be a gory, gooey business, but there’s vital clues in the carcasses for those who know how to look.

“Grape Jelly” Blood Clots And Dismemberment Can Determine What Kills Wildlife

Investigating possible grizzly, wolf and lion kills can be a messy business. But there are vital clues in bloody, dismembered wildlife carcasses, experts say.

Mark HeinzJanuary 19, 2025

Beryl Spring, located between Mammoth Hot Springs and Madison Junction, was named for the color of its boiling water, which has been a source of intrigue, frustration, and destruction since the beginning of Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone’s Beryl Springs Is Super-Hot, Ornery And Turns Stuff Blue

Beryl Spring, located between Mammoth Hot Springs and Madison Junction in Yellowstone National Park, was named for the stunning blue color of its boiling water. It’s also super-hot, ornery and turns the nearby boardwalk posts blue.

Andrew RossiJanuary 19, 2025

After a dry start to winter, Wyoming snowmobilers are enjoying a bounty of fresh powder in the mountains.

Snowmobilers Stoked Snow Is Finally Piling Up Around Wyoming

After a slow start to the snowmobiling season, with little of the white stuff in December, Wyoming snowmobilers are stoked it’s filing piling up. It’s good news for Cowboy State lodges, too.

Mark HeinzJanuary 18, 2025

Speedy, Beloved 24-Year-Old Yellowstone Sanctuary Bison, Dies

Speedy the bison died Thursday after spending 24 years as one of the best-known and beloved bison in the Greater Yellowstone Region. She was an animal ambassador at the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary in Red Lodge, Montana, since 2005.

Andrew RossiJanuary 17, 2025

A snowmobile chases a wolf across a snowy landscape in Canada.

Responding To Daniel Wolf Torture, Wyoming Hunters Back "Clean Kill Bill"

In response to the notorious case of a wolf being run over with a snowmobile and tortured, a bill before the Wyoming Legislature aims to make wildlife abuse a felony offence. It’s backed by a coalition of Wyoming hunters.

Mark HeinzJanuary 17, 2025

One of five wolves reintroduced to northern Colorado in December 2023.

Wolves From Canada Arrive In Colorado, Nobody’s Saying Where They’ll Be Released

A group of wolves have been flown from Canada to Colorado for another round of reintroductions, which has been highly controversial. There’s no word yet on when and where they’ll be released.

Mark HeinzJanuary 13, 2025

Brush 52 is one of a pair of trucks the Yoder Fire Protection District has in Southern California to help fight devastating wildfires there. Some firefighting crews are camping out at the Rose Bowl.

24 Wyoming Firefighters On The Ground Battling California Fires, More On The Way

As of Monday, 24 Wyoming firefighters were in Southern California helping fire devastating wildfires that have killed at least 24 people. More Wyoming crews are set to join them soon.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 13, 2025

Whether to split deer season into separate season for mule deer, left, and white-tailed, right, will be debated by the Wyoming Legislature.

Bill Splitting Deer Seasons Would Just Get More Mule Deer Shot, Biologist Says

Advocates of legislative bill to split Wyoming hunting seasons for white-tailed and mule deer say it will help save mule deer. A retired wildlife biologist says that would just get more mule deer killed.