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The formation of the iconic Heart Mountain near Cody involves a block of rock the size of Rhode Island moving at 700 mph, one of the largest eruptions of the Yellowstone supervolcano, and two different but equally cataclysmic events in Earth’s geologic history that took 30 minutes and 47 million years.

Wyoming's Heart Mountain Formed By The Two Largest Landslides In Earth's History

The formation of Heart Mountain near Cody is a story of a block of rock the size of Rhode Island moving at 700 mph, an eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano, and two separate but equally cataclysmic events in Earth’s geologic history.

Andrew RossiJune 29, 2025

Somebody illegally hacked down about 20 live trees at the Tower Hill campground on Casper Mountain to build this lean-to right in the middle of a hiking trail.

Hacking Live Trees To Make Lean-To On Trail Not Only Inconsiderate, It’s Illegal

Responsible users of the public trails on Casper Mountain were outraged this week when someone cut down about 20 young, live trees and made a lean-to on a trail. That’s not only inconsiderate, it’s illegal — if the perpetrators are ever caught.

Mark HeinzJune 28, 2025

Isaac Rempe holds a cub named Charmin at the Grizzly Ranch Bear Rescue in Alabama.

It’s Sweet Home Alabama For Bears On Southern ‘Grizzly Ranch’

Alabama might be the last place you’d expect to find grizzly bears, but there are several of them thriving there on the Grizzly Ranch Bear Rescue. The man who runs it says it's his mission in life to rescue bears.

Mark HeinzJune 27, 2025

A man in Grand Teton National Park jumps headfirst through the open window of his car when he realizes a grizzly bear is close and advancing.

Grand Teton Tourist Dives Headfirst Through Open Car Window To Avoid Grizzly

A tourist in Grand Teton National Park found himself between a grizzly and its mate earlier this month, so he took the only escape available — he dove headfirst through the open window of his car. A tour guide got a photo of the man’s moment of escape.

Andrew RossiJune 27, 2025

Georgia residents and decorated Army veterans Hank Ward (left) and Chris Clemmens love hunting white-tailed deer together in their home state. Through a program called Vets 4 Huntn & Fishn, they hope to enjoy Wyoming elk hunts too.

Purple Heart Vet On Wyoming Hunt Almost Tangled With Moose — And Wants To Come Back

As a Purple Heart recipient, Hank Ward has seen a lot, but he’ll never forget the first time he saw a moose in the wild in Wyoming. He almost tangled with a young bull that didn’t see him. Like many vets treated to Wyoming hunts, Ward wants to come back.

Mark HeinzJune 25, 2025

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Wyoming Hunters Say They’ll Oppose Public Land Sales, No Matter What

Wyoming hunters said they won’t budge from their staunch opposition to selling public land. That’s despite U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, still pushing for a revised version of his federal land sales measure in a Senate budget bill.

Mark HeinzJune 25, 2025

A locked gate blocks Boswell Road at the Ox Yoke Ranch property line. The property owners say they want to allow public access, but are worried about liability issues — because official jurisdiction over the road remains murky.

Hunters And Others Angry About Being Locked Out Of Popular Snowy Range Road

An elk hunter said he nearly trashed his truck and camper because he got locked onto Boswell Road in Albany County and had to drive out the back way in a blizzard. He’s not the only one, as debate continues about whether the road is public or private.

Mark HeinzJune 24, 2025

Dozens of Yellowstone visitors witnessed the death of a bison as it stepped into the water at the shallow edge of Grand Prismatic Spring on Saturday morning, leaving behind a carcass that will soon be "dissolved" by the 160-degree water. This photo was shared to the Yellowstone Through the Lens Facebook group by Louise Howard.

Yellowstone Visitors Watch Bison Die In 160-Degree Grand Prismatic Spring

Dozens of Yellowstone visitors were shocked to witness the death of a bison as it stepped into the water at the shallow edge of Grand Prismatic Spring on Saturday morning. Left behind is a carcass that will soon be "dissolved" by the 160-degree water.

Andrew RossiJune 24, 2025

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Strong Personalities Behind Rift Keeping Star Plunge Closed

A pair of state senators tried to broker a deal last month that would reopen the popular Star Plunge at Hot Springs State Park. It didn’t work, and strong personalities on both sides have opened a rift that’s keeping Star Plunge closed.

Renée JeanJune 23, 2025

A spat brewing between anglers and a landowner over a natural water channel connecting Pine Creek and the New Fork River near Pinedale could reflect a growing trend of tension between landowners and floaters across Wyoming. “It’s symbolic of greater issues,” legendary Wyoming fly fisherman and outdoor businessman Jack Dennis told Cowboy State Daily. 

Legendary Outdoorsman Jack Dennis Says Pinedale Fight Fuels Tension Between Floaters, Landowners

A spat between anglers and a landowner over a natural water channel connecting Pine Creek and the New Fork River near Pinedale reflects a growing trend of tension between landowners and floaters across Wyoming. “It’s symbolic of greater issues,” outdoorsman Jack Dennis says.

Mark HeinzJune 22, 2025

Jim Tang has been chasing storms for a decade, but said the huge Nebraska tornado he saw on Monday is a “once-in-a-lifetime” encounter. “As a storm chaser, that kind of tornado is your career goal,” he told Cowboy State Daily.

Storm Chaser In Awe After Capturing ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’ Tornado

Jim Tang has been chasing storms for a decade, but said the huge Nebraska tornado he got up close and personal with Monday is a “once-in-a-lifetime” encounter. “As a storm chaser, that kind of tornado is your career goal,” he told Cowboy State Daily.

Andrew RossiJune 21, 2025

Shelby Holder of Kemmerer set the new state record for a tiger trout with this 14-pound, 15.2-ounce whooper he caught on the Hams Fork River near Viva Naughton Reservoir. The previous record tiger trout were caught in 2024 and 2023 in the same vicinity.

After Breaking All But One Fishing Rod, Wyoming Man Catches Record Tiger Trout

Shelby Holder of Kemmerer had already broken three of his four fly rods when he decided to go fishing early on June 6. He ended up landing the new Wyoming state record tiger trout, a nearly 15-pound fish.

David MadisonJune 20, 2025

Wyoming’s weather will be wild this weekend with near-record highs, including pushing 100 in some areas, then snow and freezing temperatures. Whether it’s brutal heat or summer snow, “everyone’s going to be mad at me,” says meteorologist Don Day.

Wyoming's Wild Weather: Snow And Pushing 100 Degrees This Weekend

Wyoming’s weather will be wild this weekend with near-record highs, including pushing 100 in some areas, then snow and freezing temperatures. Whether it’s brutal heat or summer snow, “everyone’s going to be mad at me,” says meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiJune 19, 2025

Hunters are up in arms over potential federal public land sales included in a U.S. Senate budget bill. Two prominent outdoorsmen, one from Wyoming and another from Montana, blasted the measure.

Selling Federal Public Land Draws Massive Backlash From Western Hunters

Hunters are up in arms over potential federal public land sales included in a U.S. Senate budget bill. Prominent groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wyoming's Muley Fanatic Foundation, and The Boone And Crockett Club all blasted the proposal.

Mark HeinzJune 19, 2025

Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken left a meeting Monday night when he saw an alert that three teens were lost on Medicine Bow Peak. A former search and rescue volunteer, Bakken hiked up the mountain in the dark with another volunteer and found them.

Carbon County Sheriff Rescues 3 Teens Lost And Stranded On Medicine Bow Peak

Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken left a meeting Monday night when he saw an alert that three teens were lost on Medicine Bow Peak. A former search and rescue volunteer, Bakken hiked up the mountain in the dark with another volunteer and found them.

Justin GeorgeJune 18, 2025

A banner declaring “Cody Roberts Days” was displayed at the Green River Bar in Daniel on Saturday, in apparent response to pro-wolf activist coming through town for the “Hogs For Hope” rally.

‘Cody Roberts Days’ Banner Greets Pro-Wolf Activists On Ride Through Daniel

When pro-wolf activists arrived in Daniel, Wyoming, on Saturday to protest the state’s wolf management policies, they were greeted by a large banner celebrating the man who made international headlines for reportedly running down a wolf with a snowmobile.

Mark HeinzJune 18, 2025

Wyoming’s moose are nothing to trifle with, especially female moose with calves to protect.

Angler Shoots, Kills Charging Cow Moose Near Resort In Bighorn Mountains

An angler shot and killed a cow moose he says charged him Saturday on the North Tongue River near Bear Lodge Resort in the Bighorn Mountains. The cow’s two young calves had to be put down.

Mark HeinzJune 17, 2025

The Horse Fire burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest on Tuesday has come within 2 miles of a historic fire lookout post on Prospect Peak. The outpost has been covered in an aluminum-based wrap as a precaution.

Western Wyoming Wildfire Burns Close To Historic Lookout Post

The Horse Fire burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming on Tuesday has come within 2 miles of a historic fire lookout post on Prospect Peak. The outpost has been covered in an aluminum-based wrap as a precaution.

Greg JohnsonJune 17, 2025

Kevin Palmer, of Sheridan, went out to Clear Creek near Clearmont, Wyoming, in his 4Runner on Saturday to shoot photos of lightning, he told Cowboy State Daily in a Monday interview.

Photographer Wanted To Shoot Lightning; He Found Rarely Seen Lightning Bugs

A photographer out to get shots of lightning Saturday found a field full of rarely seen lightning bugs near Clearmont, Wyoming. It was a rare sighting because the bugs typically come out in humid weather, something in short supply here.

Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2025

A German Shepard escaped its owner’s vehicle and chased after a juvenile wolf Friday near Canyon Village in Yellowstone National Park. The dog and wolf both emerged from the brief encounter unscathed.

German Shepherd Jumps From Vehicle, Tries To Run Down Wolf In Yellowstone

A German shepherd showed its predator instincts Friday, leaping from a vehicle and chasing a wolf in Yellowstone National Park. A wildlife guide said the wolf, a juvenile, might have felt intimidated.

Mark HeinzJune 17, 2025

Joe Stone, co-founder of Dovetail Trail Consulting, on one of the trails near Taggart Lake. Increasing universal accessibility at Taggart Lake and the many trails in the vicinity is one of the primary goals of the $8.5-million Reimagining Taggart Lake Initiative, which is set to be completed by Summer 2027.

Grand Teton’s Popular Taggart Lake Trails To Get $8.5 Million Facelift

The Taggart Lake trail system is a popular Grand Teton National Park destination for hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. It’s about to get more popular with $8.5 million worth of improvements, including better parking.

Andrew RossiJune 15, 2025

Don't expect to see one of these stands in California. They consider bear spray a weapon and have banned it

It’s A Good Thing California Doesn’t Have Grizzlies, Bear Spray Is Banned There

While officials admonish hikers to carry bear spray in Wyoming’s Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, it’s banned in California’s Yosemite National Park. They consider it a weapon and are worried people will spray each other with it.

Mark HeinzJune 15, 2025

Aerial efforts to fight a nearly 800-acre wildfire burning in a rugged area of western Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest were grounded Saturday when someone flew a drone over the fire.

Aircraft Fighting Wyoming Wildfire Grounded By Someone Flying A Drone

Aerial efforts to fight a nearly 800-acre wildfire burning in a rugged area of western Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest were grounded Saturday because someone flew a drone over the fire.

Greg JohnsonJune 15, 2025

Slater Chandler of Georgia got this bull elk during a hunt with Hunting with Heroes Wyoming, which hosts hunts for disabled veterans.

Landowner Tag Changes Could Hurt Hunts For Disabled Vets, Organizers Worry

A proposal to raise the number of acres to qualify for landowner hunting tags in Wyoming from 160 to 640 has organizers of hunts for disabled veterans worried. Their concern is the change would shrink the pool of donated tags available to veterans.

Mark HeinzJune 15, 2025

Marmots might seem pudgy and harmless, but they can disable vehicles by chewing up hoses and wires. Some people wrap their cars in tarps to protect against the ravenous rodents. The National Park Service recomends wrapping your car from the bottom up to ward off the critters.

Marmots Might Seem Harmless, But They’ll Chew Up And Destroy Your Car

Marmots might seem pudgy and harmless, but they can disable vehicles by chewing up hoses and wires. Some people are now wrapping their cars in tarps to protect against the ravenous rodents.

Mark HeinzJune 14, 2025

Hunter Brian van Lanen and guide Lance Kronberger pose with a male grizzly bear that van Lanen shot near Norton Sound, Alaska in September 2024. It set the record for the largest-ever hunter-killed grizzly.

Wisconsin Man Sets New World Record For Largest Grizzly Ever Killed By A Hunter

A Wisconsin man has set a new world record for the largest grizzly ever killed by a hunter. The size of the Alaskan bear is "staggering" and experts say this record will be next to impossible to beat.

Mark HeinzJune 14, 2025

Since the death of Grizzly 399 in October 2024, a wooden post along Highway 26/89 in the Snake River Canyon has served as the unofficial memorial for fans of "The Queen of the Tetons."

Makeshift 399 Memorial At Spot She Was Killed Draws Fans, But May Not Be Legal

Since the death of Grizzly 399 last year, a wooden post along Highway 26/89 in the Snake River Canyon has served as the unofficial memorial for fans of the bear. People leave flowers, stuffed animals, and other artifacts. But it's probably not legal.

Andrew RossiJune 14, 2025

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After Two Sasquatch Sightings In Colorado, Boulder County Puts On Bigfoot Hunt

Boulder County has been buzzing with Sasquatch fever after two reported sightings this year both in the vicinity of Longmont. So a group of Bigfoot-hunters went out on Friday night to track him down. Although they came up empty-handed, the group plans another outing this summer.

Mark HeinzJune 14, 2025

At Wyoming’s historic Fort Laramie, there’s plenty to explore during the summer tourism season. That’s made bearable by thousands of bats that return each summer to gorge on mosquitoes and other insects.

The Bats Of Fort Laramie Have Returned For Another Summer In Bat Heaven

Thousands of bats have returned to Historic Fort Laramie in southeastern Wyoming. Right before each bat comes out into the night, their vocalizations suddenly stop. There’s a silent pause and then out they come with a dramatic entrance, gracefully, but silently, dipping and swooping.

Renée JeanJune 14, 2025

A grizzly bear walks through a meadow in Montana.

Montana Grizzly Killed By Landowner Is Seventh Killed This Year In State

A male grizzly was shot and killed Wednesday south of the northcentral Montana town of Havre on the northeast side of the Bear's Paw Mountains. It’s the seventh grizzly killed this year in the that state.

Jimmy OrrJune 13, 2025

Yellowstone National Park visitor Vince Botkin said unidentified tourists used a drone to buzz an osprey nest in the park. The National Park Service confirmed that “an individual” was cited for illegally flying a drone near an osprey nest late Thursday.

Tourist Who Buzzed Yellowstone Osprey Nest With Drone Could Get Six Months In Jail

A tourist allegedly used a drone to buzz an osprey nest in Yellowstone National Park and could face up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine for the violation of park rules.

Mark HeinzJune 12, 2025

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wants to charge fees for foreigners visiting America’s national parks, as well as cut $1 billion from their budgets. Burgum defended the plan Wednesday during a Senate committee hearing.

Interior Secretary Burgum Wants Foreign Visitor Fees, $1B Cut To National Parks

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wants to charge fees for foreigners visiting America’s national parks, as well as cut $1 billion from their budgets. Burgum defended the plan Wednesday during a Senate hearing.

Renée JeanJune 11, 2025

A bison walks past people who just watched the eruption of Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park.

New Jersey Man Gored By Bison Near Old Faithful In Yellowstone

A New Jersey man on Tuesday became the second person this year to be gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park. Authorities say the 30-year-old was near Old Faithful and got too close to the animal when it turned and gored him.

Andrew RossiJune 10, 2025

A group of pronghorn does relentlessly pursue a coyote that tried to snatch one of the herd’s fawns in Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley.

Yellowstone Antelope Relentlessly Chase Coyote That Tried To Snatch Fawn

Getting a meal is no easy task for coyotes in Yellowstone National Park. One unfortunate coyote was relentlessly pursued by some pronghorn after trying to snatch a fawn in the Lamar Valley.

Mark HeinzJune 10, 2025

A Wyoming bull elk with a group of females.

‘Nonresident Native’ Tags Could Bring Former Wyomingites Back Home To Hunt

People born and raised in Wyoming who move to other states must pay expensive nonresident tag fees to come back to hunt. Legislators are considering lower-priced “nonresident native” hunting tags for them.

Mark HeinzJune 09, 2025

Shell Falls, a popular outdoors attraction in Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest, is closed for the next two years for repairs. It’s the second out-of-commission spot in the region this summer on the heels of Crazy Woman Canyon’s unexpected closure.

Popular Shell Falls In The Bighorns Is Closed, And Won’t Reopen For Two Years

Shell Falls, a popular outdoors attraction in Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest, is closed for the next two years for repairs. It’s the second out-of-commission spot in the region this summer on the heels of Crazy Woman Canyon’s unexpected closure.

Renée JeanJune 09, 2025

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