Outdoors

Warm Springs Fire from about half a mile away as fire crews set up near the fire line.

Air Tankers Target Uncontained 1,600-Acre Wildfire 5 Miles From Thermopolis

A wildfire started by an intense Monday afternoon thunderstorm has grown to more than 1,600 acres about 5 miles southeast of Thermopolis. Air tankers are targeting the uncontained Warm Springs Fire.

Jackie DorothySeptember 10, 2024

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

Colorado Will Re-Release Four Wolves From Pack Trapped For Killing Livestock

At least four of a pack of six Colorado wolves that was trapped for killing cattle will be re-released, wildlife officials say Monday. It’s not clear how close they’ll be to the Wyoming state line.

Mark HeinzSeptember 10, 2024

Amber Travsky tries her hand at a primitive weapon called an atlatl at the Wyoming Archeology Fair in Larmie on Saturday.

Wyomingites Did Not Fare Well At Event Teaching Them How To Hunt With Stick And Dart

Wyomingites on Saturday learned just how difficult it was to hunt mammoths 12,000 years ago when they tried their hands at an ancient weapon known as an "atlatl." Basically, it’s a stick and a dart. Participants said they felt humbled by their performance and would have likely starved.

Mark HeinzSeptember 09, 2024

Waterfowl numbers in Canada breeding grounds are the highest they’ve been in nearly a decade – but only nasty winter weather will drive those ducks and geese south, where Wyoming hunters will have a crack at them.

Wyoming Hunting Forecast: Lots Of Ducks, But They Have To Come South

Good news for bird hunters: wildlife experts are forecasting a banner year for both duck and geese hunters. For the first time in 10 years, the number of breeding ducks is up significantly. The best hunting will be later in the season, they say.

Mark HeinzSeptember 09, 2024

Andy James leans on his Pulaski in more ways than one. It's great for chopping wood or digging in the dirt. It's also a great reminder of the Big Burn in Idaho in 1910 — a cautionary tale for any firefighter who fights wildfire.

Inside The Fight To Save Brooks Lake Lodge From Fish Creek Fire

Andy James is one of nearly 450 firefighters battling the volatile Fish Creek Fire. He told Cowboy State Daily what it takes to be a firefighter on the nationally elite squad that’s helping defend Brooks Lake Lodge.

Renée JeanSeptember 08, 2024

Skunk Geoff Kuchera via Addobe Stock 9 8 24

15 Rabid Skunks Found In Wyoming So Far This Year, All In Sheridan County

The potential for humans to get rabies from any number of carriers in Wyoming is higher in Sheridan County. So far this year, the state has 15 rabid skunks, all in Sheridan County. And if you get rabies, it's going to cost you a lot of money.

Dale KillingbeckSeptember 08, 2024

Though they’re frequently spotted alone, most coyotes are members of a mated pair, and frequently an entire pack.

‘Lone Coyote’ Belief In Wyoming Is A Myth — They Form Packs, Much Like Wolves

The idea that coyotes are loners is easy to believe because they’re usually seen alone, but that’s actually a myth, wildlife biologists say. They form packs and family units, much like wolves.

Mark HeinzSeptember 07, 2024

Cody resident David Ball was hunting in Namibia, Africa last week, when a deadly black mamba snake appeared in camp. He shot and killed the snake, which measured out to 7 feet, 4 inches long.

Wyoming Hunters Faced Killer Black Mambas While On Safari Last Week In Africa

Wyoming hunters know bears are some of the most feared and deadly predators you can run into. Dealing with black mambas can be just as deadly, if not more so. Two hunters from Cody dealt with them last week while on a safari in Africa.

Mark HeinzSeptember 06, 2024

The Fish Creek Fire in northwest Wyoming threatens to jump Highway 26/287.

Fish Creek Fire Throws “Spot Fires” Across Togwotee Pass

After the Fish Creek fire lapped at the barrow ditches along Togwotee Pass and prompted its closure Monday night, the mountain stretch of highway is set to reopen Friday morning.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2024

The Fish Creek Fire continues to burn in rugged territory, consuming beetle-killed timber.

Fish Creek Fire Makes Run At Brooks Lake Lodge, Firefighters Hold Line

A stubborn Fish Creek Fire made an aggressive run at Highway 26/287, close to Brooks Lake Lodge in northwest Wyoming, but firefighters held the line. It's just a mile or two from the lodge as of Wednesday evening.

Renée JeanSeptember 05, 2024

People who showed up to the Treatment of Predators Working Group meeting at the Wyoming Capitol on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, found that the group was meeting via Zoom and they couldn't comment.

Proposed Law Says Running Over Wolf With Snowmobile OK But Only If You Kill It

A new proposed law would allow people to be charged with animal cruelty if they run animals down with snowmobiles and don't kill them immediately. A state predator working group on Wednesday voted to advance the bill to a legislative committee.

Mark HeinzSeptember 04, 2024

Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik plans to retire on Sept. 11. He’s worked for the agency since 1995 in a variety of roles, including as a game warden, regional wildlife supervisor and chief game warden.

Brian Nesvik Led Game And Fish Career Through COVID, Daniel Wolf Controversy

Over nearly 30 years, Brian Nesvik worked his way up through the ranks of Wyoming Game and Fish from applying for a temp job to agency director. The last years of that have been trying times with COVID and the Daniel wolf controversy.

Mark HeinzSeptember 04, 2024

The Fish Creek Fire burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest of northwest Wyoming.

Brooks Lake Lodge Evacuated As Fish Creek Fire Advances, Highway 26 Closed

An advancing Fish Creek Fire prompted an evacuation of the historic Brooks Lake Lodge and nearby subdivisions Tuesday. Smoke and unstable fire lines also have closed Highway 26/287 over Togwotee Pass.

Renée JeanSeptember 04, 2024

The antlers on this bull moose in the Bighorn Mountains still have some growing to do, but his body is already super-sized.

Absolute Tank Of A Moose Turning Heads In Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains

Sheridan outdoorswoman Danielle Laumann’s photos of an absolute tank of a young bull moose is turning heads. She said the freakishly huge moose has been hanging out with a couple of other moose.

Mark HeinzSeptember 03, 2024

Idaho Archery Hunters Kill Attacking Grizzly Near Yellowstone

A grizzly attacked two archery hunters In Idaho near Yellowstone National Park on Sunday. One of the men was hurt before they killed the bear with their handguns.

Mark HeinzSeptember 03, 2024

The Broadus Volunteer Fire Department out of Montana has sent engines and personnel to help fight the Silver Spoon Fire.

Silver Spoon Fire Evacuations Lifted, Crews Now “Mopping Up”

Evacuations for folks potentially in the path of the Silver Spoon Fire north of Recluse in northeast Wyoming were lifted Tuesday. Fire crews now are “just mopping up” hot spots and establishing containment.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 03, 2024

Delcy Bayles shared photos and a report from her ranch near where the Silver Spoon Fire is burning in northeast Wyoming.

Progress On Silver Spoon Fire May Allow Evacuees To Return Home

Local fire crews and ranchers made “good progress” fighting the 1,721-acre Silver Spoon Fire north of Recluse, Wyoming, on Monday. Area residents ordered to evacuate may be allowed to go home Tuesday.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 03, 2024

Pack Of Rogue Coyotes Stalks Rural Neighborhood Near Douglas

The bizarre behavior of a marauding quartet of coyotes has prompted a rural Douglas-area resident to put out a warning to her neighbors, and a call for hunters or trappers to come deal with the bothersome beasts.

Mark HeinzSeptember 02, 2024

The Silver Spoon Fire burning in northeast Wyoming, as seen from the entrance to the Silver Spoon Ranch.

Silver Spoon Fire Burning Through “Pretty Rough Country” In Northeast Wyoming

An evacuation order remains in place Monday as a wildfire burning in “pretty rough country” in northeast Wyoming continues to grow. A fire also was reported burning near a coal mine silo north of Gillette.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2024

Crews respond to one of a pair of large wildfires burning near Gillette. Now Campbell County Fire Department is being aggressive with a new fire reported Sunday north near the Montana border.

Evacuations Ordered For New Campbell County Wildfire

A new wildfire discovered Sunday in northeast Wyoming has prompted an evacuation order for an area near the Montana border. The Silver Spoon Fire in Campbell County is about 1,000 acres and reportedly spreading fast.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 01, 2024

Devil's Canyon crew hikes up a hill while fighting the South Fork Lyons Fire in Montana.

Wherever Wildfires Blaze You’ll Find Wyoming's Elite Devil’s Canyon Crew

Wherever wildfires rage across North America, you’ll find the elite Devil’s Canyon hand crew from Worland, Wyoming. The team is made up exclusively of military veterans and are often air-dropped from helicopters into some of the most remote regions in the country.

Jackie DorothySeptember 01, 2024

A pair of Washington state game wardens wear body cameras, which all of the state's game wardens will be required to wear starting next month.

Washington State Game Wardens Will Wear Mandatory Body Cams

Starting next month, game wardens in Washington state must wear body cameras. Some retired game wardens in Wyoming said they understand why, but aren’t fans of the mandate. The Wyoming Game and Fish department wouldn't say if they are considering it.

Mark HeinzSeptember 01, 2024

Bill Van Den Ouden sits at the Safari Club bar with his friend, John Cordova. He and his wife, Maria Van Den Ouden, had come back to visit Thermopolis specifically to show their family friend the large taxidermy collection that they first saw with their kids over two decades prior.

Thermopolis Safari Club’s World-Class Big Game Trophy Collection Needs A New Home

The Safari Club in Thermopolis is well-known for the big game trophies from around the world. Most were hunted by the late Jim Mills, who hunted and fished for 80 years. But after selling their share of the business two years ago, his family wants a buyer who will keep the world-class collection intact.