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A large, out-of-control wildfire “exhibiting extreme fire behavior” continues to grow in multiple directions about 11 miles east of Thermopolis. The Red Canyon Fire also has prompted more evacuations in its potential path.

Aggressive Red Canyon Fire Closes In On 100,000 Acres, Still 0% Containment

The Red Canyon Fire continues to surge in multiple directions about 11 miles east of Thermopolis as it closes in on 100,000 acres burned. It’s also moving into Washakie and Fremont counties, prompting evacuation alerts in Fremont.

Greg JohnsonAugust 18, 2025

The population of beavers on the Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming has declined by more half in recent years. Officials have built roughly 150 artificial beaver dams to make up for it.

With Beaver Population Dropping In Wyoming, Artificial Dams Rise In The Bighorns

It is thought there are fewer than half the beavers in the Bighorn National Forest now compared to about 15 years ago, and to make up for their work, wildlife officials have built more than 150 artificial dams. It’s not clear why the beaver population is declining. 

Mark HeinzAugust 17, 2025

The legend of the jackalope might have started with pioneers in the 1800s seeing rabbits infected with viruses that can cause horn-like growths.

Why Rabbits Are Growing Horns And Tentacles In Colorado

Images of rabbits in Colorado with horns and tentacles are making waves across social media, with many likening their strange look to that of Frankenstein’s monster or an undead zombie.

Jackson WalkerAugust 17, 2025

A large, out-of-control wildfire “exhibiting extreme fire behavior” continues to grow in multiple directions about 11 miles east of Thermopolis. The Red Canyon Fire also has prompted more evacuations in its potential path.

Red Canyon Fire Grows To Nearly 85,000 Acres, More Evacuations Ordered

A large, out-of-control wildfire “exhibiting extreme fire behavior” continues to grow in multiple directions about 11 miles east of Thermopolis. The Red Canyon Fire also has prompted more evacuations in its potential path.

Greg Johnson & Jackie DorothyAugust 17, 2025

For some, prairie dog hunting isn’t as simple as driving around until they find the rodents. Serious hunters hire guides to take them to target-rich prairie dog towns.

Yes, Prairie Dog Hunting Guides Exist, And They Have A Robust Business

Prairie dog hunting isn't about getting a trophy animal to put on your wall. It's more about getting in as much shooting as possible. It’s not so much hunting in the traditional sense, as it is live target practice. That's why people hire guides.

Mark HeinzAugust 16, 2025

The Red Canyon Fire advances overnight Friday on the south side of Buffalo Creek Road.

3 Wildfires Have Burned More Than 61,000 Acres In Bighorn Basin, 0% Containment

As of Saturday morning, a trio of fast-growing wildfires have burned more than 61,000 acres in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin, with 0% containment on any of them. The largest is the Red Canyon Fire at 40,000 acrea, which has exploded on cheatgrass.

Greg JohnsonAugust 16, 2025

Wyoming’s mountain lions aren’t lions in the true scientific sense. African lions are classified among “roaring cats,” while mountain lions fall in the less glamorous-sounding “purring cat” category. And they do purr.

Wyoming’s Mountain Lions Can’t Roar Like African Lions, But They Can Purr

Wyoming’s mountain lions aren’t lions in the true scientific sense. African lions are classified among “roaring cats,” while mountain lions fall in the less glamorous-sounding “purring cat” category. And they do purr.

Mark HeinzAugust 16, 2025

A rare “bear warning” has been issued for roughly 2,500 square miles in Canada amid reports of grizzlies bluff-charging people. A Canadian bear expert said bear trouble usually stems from stupid human behavior.

Charging Grizzlies Spark Rare And Widespread ‘Bear Warning’ In Canada

For the first time in nearly a decade, a roughly 2,500-square-mile county in Alberta, Canada, has issued a county-wide “bear warning,” after numerous reports of people being charged by grizzlies.

Mark HeinzAugust 15, 2025

The Red Canyon Fire is burning out of control about 11 miles east of Thermopolis, blowing up to an estimated 35,000 acres. Oil field workers saw the lightning bolt that started the fire, then could only watch it spread.

Out-Of-Control Red Canyon Fire Near Thermopolis Now Nearly 35,000 Acres

The Red Canyon Fire is burning out of control about 11 miles east of Thermopolis, blowing up to nearly 35,000 acres on Friday. Oil field workers saw the lightning bolt that started the fire, then could only watch it spread.

Greg JohnsonAugust 15, 2025

Kristen Hohman shared this eerie image of the Red Canyon Fire glowing east of Thermopolis to a local Facebook group on Wednesday night. It exploded to more than 15,000 acres Thursday.

Wildfire East Of Thermopolis Explodes To 20,000 Acres, Prompts Evacuation

What was a small wildfire reported about 14 miles east of Thermopolis on Wednesday evening has exploded to an estimated more than 20,000 acres Thursday. The Red Canyon Fire has also prompted some evacuations.

Greg JohnsonAugust 14, 2025

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Montana Outfitter Kills Grizzly, Fails To Report It And Faces $10,000 Fine

A Montana outfitter faces up to a $10,000 fine for shooting a grizzly bear while black bear hunting. A Wyoming hunter who went through a similar case said it can be incredibly difficult to distinguish between the two bear species.

Mark HeinzAugust 13, 2025

Trail cam photos captured several image of an unidentified masked man creeping around a campsite in the Bighorn Mountains in the wee hours of the morning on Thursday.

Campers Creeped-Out By ‘Weird’ Masked Bandit Around Campsite In Bighorn Mountains

A Sheridan couple was baffled and creeped-out by trail camera photos showing a masked bandit pilfering their campsite in the Bighorn Mountains over a four-hour period last week.

Mark HeinzAugust 12, 2025

Horse trainer Sienna Hawk has worked with Red Solo Cup — a mustang from Wyoming’s White Mountain wild horse herd — to prepare him for adoption.

Wyoming Mustang Named ‘Red Solo Cup’ After Toby Keith Song Up For Adoption

Wild horses caught in government roundups have better chances of being adopted if they’re trained first. That’s the hope for one Wyoming mustang named Red Solo Cup, after the popular Toby Keith song.

Mark HeinzAugust 11, 2025

A massive search effort continues for a Minnesota man missing for nearly two weeks in the rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness of northern Wyoming. Grant Gardner, 38, was last heard from after summiting Cloud Peak on July 29.

Family Still Holds Out Hope For Minnesota Hiker Missing Since July 29

The wife of missing Cloud Peak Wilderness hiker Grant Gardner on Monday told Cowboy State Daily that she's hopeful his skills and abilities that "he's been honing over the last decade-plus will help him come home to us."

Greg JohnsonAugust 11, 2025

A mountain lion lurks in a tree in the Metcalf Wildlife Management Area in Sheridan County, Nebraska.

Move Over, Prairie Grizzlies, Here Come The Prairie Mountain Lions

Mountain lions are associated with, well, mountains. But they are increasingly reclaiming habitat in Great Plains states such as Nebraska and Kansas. That follows patterns seen from other species, like grizzlies expanding back into prairie areas.

Mark HeinzAugust 10, 2025

Hunters say that trail cam photos help them determine the sex and size of black bears to better focus their hunting efforts. But livestream video is illegal.

Why Trail Cameras Are OK For Hunting In Wyoming, But Live Feed Video Isn’t

As technology continues to redefine hunting, at least one matter seems settled: Trail camera photos and videos are legally and ethically OK to scout wildlife, but livestream video is not.

Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2025

A SHERP ATV rumbles through the Blackfoot River near Missoula, Montana.

Fishermen Outraged Watching Huge ‘Tonka Truck’ ATV Rip Up Montana Riverbed

A Montana fishing guide said he was outraged watching someone drive a huge “Tonka Truck” SHERP ATV right through a river next to him. The huge balloon-tired ATV ripping up the riverbed was illegal, and the driver may be cited.

Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2025

Wolves in Yellowstone National Park helped save aspen trees there by eating elk that were gobbling aspen saplings, scientists claim. But now bison are moving in on the aspen, eating it and knocking the trees over.

Wolves Might Have Saved Yellowstone’s Aspen From Elk, But Now Bison Are Eating It

Scientists say wolves helped save aspen trees in Yellowstone by eating the elk that were gobbling aspen saplings. But now bison are moving in on the aspen, eating it and knocking the trees over.

Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2025

A wolf in Wyoming gets a drink in this file photo.

Colorado Wildlife Agents Target Sheep-Killing Wolf That Might Be From Wyoming

A wolf that killed three sheep in Colorado is safe for now, as wildlife agents can’t go after it because of a wildfire. Meanwhile, locals say it’s a wolf that wandered in from Wyoming in February.

Mark HeinzAugust 08, 2025

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Wyoming Ranchers Ask U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Wyoming Corner-Crossing Case

The Wyoming Stock Growers and other agricultural groups want the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a Wyoming corner-crossing case. They say the high court should finally settle whether corner-crossing is legal.

Mark HeinzAugust 08, 2025

A search continues for Grant Gardner of Minnesota, who hasn't been heard from since he got to the top of Cloud Peak on July 29. The route up and down the peak is challenging.

Man Found Dead In Montana River Wrongly Reported As Hiker Missing In Wyoming

Officials are trying to squash wrong reports that a body found in the Bighorn River in Montana was a Minnesota man who went missing July 29 in Big Horn County, Wyoming. It isn’t, but the reports have rubbed at already raw emotions.

Greg JohnsonAugust 07, 2025

A third wolf reintroduced to Colorado wandered into Wyoming and died in late July, wildlife officials announced Wednesday. The female was one of the wolves brought in from Oregon in December 2023.

Third Colorado Wolf Wanders Into Wyoming And Dies

A third wolf reintroduced to Colorado wandered into Wyoming and died in late July, wildlife officials announced Wednesday. The female was one of the wolves brought in from Oregon in December 2023.

Mark HeinzAugust 06, 2025

A federal judge’s Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, ruling could open the door to putting wolves back on the endangered species list in Wyoming and across the West.

Federal Judge’s Ruling Could Open Door To Putting Wolves Back On Endangered List

A federal judge’s Tuesday ruling could open the door to putting wolves back on the endangered species list in Wyoming and across the West.

Mark HeinzAugust 05, 2025

If anyone could survive a week alone in the rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains, it’s Grant Gardner. His wife Lauren said she’s still “in shock” over his disappearance, but holds out hope that her husband is still alive.

Family, Sheriff Hold Out Hope For Minnesota Man Missing A Week On Cloud Peak

If anyone could survive a week alone in the rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains, it’s Grant Gardner. His wife Lauren said she’s still “in shock” over his disappearance, but holds out hope that her husband is still alive.

Greg JohnsonAugust 05, 2025

A screenshot from the arument scene in "Marriage Story."

Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver Screaming At Each Other Keeps Wolves From Cattle

Oregon wildlife officials are using audio of actors Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver screaming at each other in the movie “Marriage Story” to scare wolves away from cattle. It seems to work, but isn’t very practical, a wolf expert says.

Mark HeinzAugust 05, 2025

Multiple agencies haven’t given up searching for a Minnesota hiker missing for nearly a week in Wyoming’s rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness. Grant Gardner texted his wife when he got to the summit of Cloud Peak, and hasn’t been heard from since.

Minnesota Man Got To Top Of Cloud Peak A Week Ago, Hasn’t Been Heard From Since

Multiple agencies haven’t given up searching for a Minnesota hiker missing for nearly a week in Wyoming’s rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness. Grant Gardner texted his wife when he got to the summit of Cloud Peak on July 29, and hasn’t been heard from since.

Greg JohnsonAugust 05, 2025

A turnaround in Wyoming’s logging and lumber industry might start with clearing forests of massive amounts of dead trees, previously killed by pine beetles.

Shift In Timber Rules Could Clear Way For Revival Of Wyoming’s Lumber Industry

Wyoming’s few remaining lumber mills have struggled, but a shift in federal and state timber policy might change that. Trump has ordered an “immediate expansion” of timber production, and Gov. Mark Gordon on Friday ordered Wyoming to follow suit.

Mark HeinzAugust 05, 2025

A big male black bear that got stranded in the storm drains under Colorado Springs got out by climbing out of a manhole. While startling, the incident also illustrates what wildlife officials say is becoming common in the city.

Bears Are So Common In Colorado Springs They’re Climbing Out Of Manholes

A big male black bear that got stranded in the storm drains under Colorado Springs escaped by climbing out of a manhole. While startling, the incident also illustrates what wildlife officials say is becoming common in the city.

Mark HeinzAugust 04, 2025

A helicopter was called in to help rescue an injured hiker who was stranded in the rugged Platte River Wilderness in southcentral Wyoming on Saturday afternoon.

Helicopter Called In To Rescue Injured Hiker In Rugged Carbon County Wilderness

More than two dozen volunteers, including a helicopter crew, mobilized on Saturday to rescue an injured hiker in the rugged Platte River Wilderness in Carbon County. Sheriff Alex Bakken complimented the effort saying in rural Wyoming, teamwork is essential.

Jackson WalkerAugust 03, 2025

Teton County will decide Monday to recommend renaming Mount Woodring to either Raven Peak or Equality Peak. The name change would sever the connection of one of Grand Teton’s most photographed peaks with an accused, and acquitted, child abuser.

Teton County To Recommend Renaming Mount Woodring On Monday

Teton County will decide on Monday to recommend renaming Mount Woodring to either Raven Peak or Equality Peak. The peak is currently named after the first superintendent of Grand Teton National Park.

Andrew RossiAugust 03, 2025

Fish plunge from a specially designed holding tank slung under a helicopter and into a backcountry lake, as part of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s fish stocking program.

Wyoming’s Backcountry Lakes Are Stocked By Dropping Fish From Helicopters

In the pre-dawn darkness on Tuesday, a line of Wyoming Game and Fish Department vehicles rumbled into the Dubois Municipal Airport and parked next to a Robinson R66 helicopter. The mission? Stock 16 high-country lakes with roughly 40,000 fingerling-sized fish.

Mark HeinzAugust 02, 2025

More than 180 people last month successfully climbed to the top of Snow King Mountain 19 times in 36 hours, called "Everesting" because that approximates the 29,029 feet of elevation of Mount Everest. One man died from the attempt, putting a spotlight on the Everesting trend.

Spotlight On ‘Everesting’ After Man Dies Trying To Climb Snow King Mountain 19 Times

The death of a 43-year-old man who attempted to climb Snow King Mountain 19 times is drawing the spotlight on an increasingly popular trend called “Everesting.” That’s trying to climb the equivalent of Mount Everest’s 29,029 feet in 36 hours.

Andrew RossiAugust 02, 2025

A wrangler leads a mustang colt back to the herd during a Bureau of Land Management horse roundup July 26 in the remote Adobe Town area in south-Central Wyoming.

Lost, Young Wild Horse Tries To Join Up With Pronghorn Herd During Roundup

A young mustang briefly joined a band of pronghorn during a recent Wyoming horse roundup. Wild horse advocates say the colt was lost after being separated from his mother during a BLM roundup.

Mark HeinzAugust 02, 2025

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Wildlife Agents Still Search For Whoever Poached A Park County Grizzly

Wildlife agents are still trying to track down whoever shot and killed a grizzly bear found dead in late May alongside a remote hiking trail in Park County. A bear expert says if the grizzly had been killed in self-defense, it would’ve been reported.

Mark HeinzAugust 01, 2025

When it comes to wildfire seasons, there’s no forgetting the devastating fires that hit Yellowstone National Park in 1988. They burned 800,000 acres, which is why even small fires today get an aggressive response. Here, wildfire rages at Grant Village in the park.

Yellowstone Always On Alert To Avoid Repeat Of Devasting 1988 Wildfires

When it comes to wildfire seasons, there’s no forgetting the devastating fires that hit Yellowstone National Park in 1988. They burned 800,000 acres, which is why even small fires today get an aggressive response.

Andrew RossiAugust 01, 2025

Other Yellowstone visitors were horrified Monday as they watched a man in flip-flops walking off the board walk onto the bacterial mats around Grand Prismatic Spring. He was picking up hats that had blown off people’s heads — and breaking the law.

Other Yellowstone Visitors Horrified Watching Man Walk On Grand Prismatic Spring

Other Yellowstone visitors were horrified Monday as they watched a man in flip-flops walking off the board walk onto the bacterial mats around Grand Prismatic Spring. He was picking up hats that had blown off people’s heads — and breaking the law.

Andrew RossiJuly 31, 2025

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