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Knight Lake, formerly Swastika Lake, in southern Wyoming.

18 Months After Name Change, Wyomingites Still Argue Over ‘Swastika Lake’

Nearly 18 months after Swastika Lake in Albany County was renamed Knight Lake, there’s still controversy and arguments over whether the change was justified or erased history.

Mark HeinzJuly 25, 2025

Rancher and outdoorsman Carl Strachan took this elk calf into his home near Livingston, Montana, trying to nurse it back to health after it survived an apparent mountain lion attack. The calf died, but Strachan said he doesn’t regret trying to help.

Rancher Tries To Save Elk Calf Mauled In Mountain Lion Attack

A Montana outdoorsman and rancher found an elk calf that had been critically hurt in a mountain lion attack and took it into his home. The calf died, but he doesn’t regret trying to save it. It also follows a trend of more mountain lion sightings.

Mark HeinzJuly 25, 2025

A proposed change in Wyoming Game and Fish regulations would let trappers off the hook for “unintentionally” killing otters. But they’d have to surrender the otters’ carcasses to Game and Fish.

Rule Would Let Trappers Off Hook For Some Otter Killings, But They Can’t Keep Pelts

A proposed change in Wyoming Game and Fish regulations would let trappers off the hook for “unintentionally” killing otters. But they’d have to surrender the otters’ carcasses to Game and Fish.

Mark HeinzJuly 25, 2025

A barred owl, inset, with a group of spotted owls.

Congress Moves To Stop Killing Of 500,000 Barred Owls To Save Spotted Owls

Environmental groups have pulled together a bipartisan effort in Congress, which introduced a bill Wednesday to halt a Biden-era plan for a mass killing of 500,000 barred owls. Killing those owls would save endangered spotted owls, officials have said.

Mark HeinzJuly 24, 2025

A screenshot from a trail cam video showing a three new wolf pups in Colorado. Wildlife officials say there are now four wolf packs with pups in Colorado.

Not Everyone Thrilled With Colorado’s Wolf Boom — Four New Litters

Colorado’s wolf population is booming, with four packs known to have litters of pups born this spring. Not everyone is thrilled with that news, including ranchers who say wolves have killed numerous cattle.

Mark HeinzJuly 23, 2025

Mom and cubs: A mother black bear and her cubs stop by a bear bait site in Wyoming. Proponents of bear bait hunting argue that it’s a good way to closely observe bears and avoid shooting a female with cubs by mistake.

Proposed Bear-Baiting Ban In Wyoming Sparks Debate Over What’s Ethical In Bear Hunting

A coalition of animal welfare groups is backing a congressional bill to ban bear-baiting on federal land in Wyoming and other states, but some hunters argue it’s an ethical way to hunt bears.

Mark HeinzJuly 22, 2025

Rumors started flying online Sunday that Grizzly 399’s final cub, Spirit, has been found alive and identified through DNA. Wyoming wildlife officials say don’t believe it, that it’s a bogus story.

Story That Grizzly 399’s Cub Spirit Found Through DNA Testing Is Bogus

Rumors started flying online Sunday that Grizzly 399’s final cub, Spirit, has been found alive and identified through DNA. Wyoming wildlife officials say don’t believe it, that it’s a bogus story.

Mark HeinzJuly 21, 2025

On a recent outing in Mount Spokane State Park, northeast of the city in Washington state, Jon Gelder and his wife, Heather, found bountiful berry bushes.

It’s Huckleberry Season, But Don’t Ask A Picker Where To Find Them

Throngs of huckleberry hunters are out as the season for picking the wild-growing fruit is hitting its peak in Wyoming. But don’t you dare ask a picker where to find them, as they protect their prime patches the way anglers do a favorite fishing hole.

Anna-Louise JacksonJuly 20, 2025

Hoback Canyon, where the Cow and Calf of the Woods avalanche chutes spill danger onto the highway below.

Cutting-Edge Avalanche Radar Planned For Wyoming’s Notorious Hoback Canyon

Hoback Canyon in northwest Wyoming is notorious for being avalanche-prone. It’s been selected to get a new cutting-edge avalanche radar system that can detect potential slides 24/7 in any weather. That promises faster road closures and safety for drivers.

David MadisonJuly 19, 2025

Drives on this part of Louis Loop Road can expect a bumpy ride dominated by a washboard road.

One Of Wyoming’s Most Beautiful Drives Is Also A Kidney-Rattling Washboard Ride

Just past Sinks Canyon State Park south of Lander is Louis Lake Loop Road. Nearly 100 years old, it leads to some of Wyoming’s most beautiful places, but it's a rough ride. The road wasn't built for today's traffic. It was designed to handle Model Ts going 15 mph.

Mark HeinzJuly 19, 2025

Bison behavior is a largely unexplored realm, but anecdotal evidence suggests that bison might have specific behaviors associated with death and "mourning." Here, a herd of bison investigate a wolf-killed comrade near Blacktail Pond in 2020.

Do Bison Understand Death? Bison Funerals Suggest They Might

Anecdotal evidence suggests bison might have specific behaviors associated with death and mourning. In one case in northern Yellowstone, bison maintained a constant vigil around a deceased bison, circling around the carcass for more than an hour.

Andrew RossiJuly 19, 2025

Barbed fishing hooks inflict ghastly injuries to prized trout in the North Platte River near Casper. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission ruled to ban barbed hooks along sections of the river.

Mouth-Ripping Barbed Hooks Banned On North Platte Blue-Ribbon Trout Fisheries

Barbed fishing hooks inflict ghastly injuries to prized trout in the North Platte River near Casper. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission this week banned barbed hooks along sections of the river, a move fishing guides say is overdue.

Mark HeinzJuly 18, 2025

The National Park Service has put up lighthearted signs warning people of a fox, or foxes, stealing shoes from the Lizard Creek campground in Grand Teton National Park.

Fox-Turned-Shoe Bandit Makes Grand Teton’s ‘Most Wanted’ List

At least one naughty fox has been making off with people’s shoes from a campground in Grand Teton National Park. At least 32 shoes have been stolen so far, prompting the park to put the fox on its “Most Wanted” list.

Mark HeinzJuly 18, 2025

Michelino Sunseri is an Idaho ultrarunner who has been prosecuted for deviating from a trail running up Grand Teton. Now Wyoming U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman is getting involved, asking the prosecutor for documents in what she says may be an overzealous prosecution of Sunseri.

Hageman Wants Answers About Prosecution Of Grand Teton Trail Runner

Idaho ultrarunner Michelino Sunseri is awaiting a verdict in a criminal trial for cutting a switchback while running up Grand Teton last fall. U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman says she’s investigating a possible overzealous prosecution.

Sean BarryJuly 17, 2025

A black bear with a taste for human food that was involved in "a series of concerning incidents" in Yellowstone National Park campgrounds had to be killed, park officials say. The last straw was the bear ransacking a tent and tearing down food storage poles.

Park Service Kills "Food-Conditioned" Black Bear In Yellowstone

The National Park Service announced Thursday that a black bear in Yellowstone was killed because it had developed a taste for human food. The last straw was ransacking a tent and tearing down food storage poles.

Andrew RossiJuly 17, 2025

Fred Eshelman, the landowner at the center of Wyoming’s famous “corner-crossing” case, has lost every court battle against hunters who crossed at the corner of his property to get to public land. Wednesday, he filed a petition for the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

Supreme Court Petition Is Final Hail Mary For Wyoming Corner-Crossing Landowner

The landowner at the center of Wyoming’s famous “corner-crossing” case has lost every court battle against hunters who crossed at the corner of his property to get to public land. Wednesday, he filed a petition for the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

Mark HeinzJuly 16, 2025

Wolves getty 10 18 24

Montana Considers Killing Nearly Half Of Its Wolf Population

Montana is considering setting a wolf kill quota of 500 for the 2025-2026 wolf seasons, nearly half of its wolf population. It would allow hunters and trappers to take as many as 15 wolves each. 

Mark HeinzJuly 16, 2025

Dozens of landowners showed up at the Game and Fish Commission in Casper Tuesday, to speak out against proposed changes in the landowner hunting tag program.

After Hours Of Testimony, Commission Rejects Changes To Landowner Hunting Tags

After landowners showed up in force to oppose proposed changes to landowner hunting tag requirements, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission rejected the changes Tuesday.

Mark HeinzJuly 16, 2025

A U.S. House committee advanced legislation Tuesday sponsored by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, to remove Yellowstone-area grizzly bears from the Endangered Species Act list. The bill also would ban courts from blocking the delisting.

Hageman’s Bill To Delist Grizzlies Passes House Committee

A U.S. House committee advanced legislation Tuesday sponsored by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, to remove Yellowstone-area grizzly bears from the Endangered Species Act list. The bill also would ban courts from blocking the delisting.

Sean BarryJuly 15, 2025

Horses from the Salt Wells Creek mustang herd will be spared from Bureau of Land Management roundups, at least for now, after a federal court ruled against the BLM.

Federal Court Halts Roundup Of Rare Wyoming Curly-Haired Mustangs

A plan to round up rare curly-haired mustangs from herds in southcentral Wyoming is on hold after a Tuesday federal court ruling. The court sided with horse advocate groups against the BLM’s plan.

Mark HeinzJuly 15, 2025

Jackson-Area resident Sarah Harrison MacMillan found this unidentified dead critter floating in the South Fork of the Shoshone River on Saturday. She thinks is might be a young marmot, but others have guessed that it could be an otter, a fisher or even a baby wolverine.

Jackson Woman Stupefied By Dead Mystery Critter Floating In Shoshone River

A Jackson-area woman found a cat-sized dead animal floating in the South Fork of the Shoshone River on Saturday. She doesn’t know what it is and is going nuts trying to positively identify the critter. And it's not a cat.

Mark HeinzJuly 15, 2025

After venturing into Sheridan, this healthy young female black bear was trapped by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department July 5. The bear was set loose deep in the Bighorn Mountains the next day.

Black Bears In Sheridan County Towns So Routine People Say They're Neighbors

Black bears showing up in Sheridan, Story, Dayton and other towns around the Bighorn Mountains has become routine for folks there. Locals say they feel like the bears are neighbors, but “repeat offender” bears sometimes have to be killed.

Mark HeinzJuly 14, 2025

Avianna Frady demonstrates how the Domeco can be used to train for rock climbing during the International Climbers' Festival in Lander.

One Weekend A Year, Lander’s The Center Of The Rock Climbing World

Lander, Wyoming, is an international destination for rock climbers. This past weekend was the 32nd International Climbers’ Festival, which makes Lander the center of the rock-climbing world, drawing hundreds of rock climbers.

Renée JeanJuly 14, 2025

Yellowstone National Park announced Monday the discovery of a new 13-foot, baby blue hot spring. It emerged with little volcanic fanfare in the Norris Geyser Basin and has scientists excited.

Yellowstone Announces Discovery Of A New Baby Blue Thermal Pool

Yellowstone National Park announced Monday the discovery of a new 13-foot baby blue hot spring. It emerged with little volcanic fanfare in the Norris Geyser Basin and has scientists excited.

Andrew RossiJuly 14, 2025

You can check out more than books at your local public library in Wyoming. A library card will also get you a backpack and free access to Wyoming state parks and historic sites under a program that’s expanding to all 23 counties.

A Library Card Will Also Get You A Backpack And Into Wyoming State Parks

You can check out more than books at your local public library in Wyoming. A library card will also get you a backpack and free access to Wyoming state parks and historic sites under a program that’s expanding to all 23 counties.

Amber SteinmetzJuly 14, 2025

A coalition of conservation and hunting groups claims that holding facilities for mustangs across the West are bursting at the seams. Euthanizing older horses could be a necessary last resort to get things under control.

Killing Older Horses An Option To Trim Wyoming Mustang Herds, Coalition Says

A coalition of conservation and hunting groups claims that holding facilities for mustangs across the West are bursting at the seams. Euthanizing older horses could be a necessary last resort to get things under control, they say.

Mark HeinzJuly 13, 2025

A hunter scopes out a herd of Wyoming antelope. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission on Tuesday could face hundreds of landowners and residents angry over proposed changes to the landowner hunting tag program. The new regulations could cut as many as 70% of the current allotment of landowner tags.

Hundreds Of Landowners Angry Over Proposed Wyoming Hunting Tag Changes

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission on Tuesday could face hundreds of landowners and residents angry over proposed changes to the landowner hunting tag program. The new regulations could cut as many as 70% of the current allotment of landowner tags.

Mark HeinzJuly 13, 2025

A pair of mountain bikers were surprised when a bear showed up to chase them on a trail.

Bells On Mountain Bikes Could Help Cyclists Avoid Grizzly Maulings

Mountain bikers and grizzlies aren’t a good combination, as a Montana cyclist learned in 2016 when he surprised a bear and was killed. With more mountain bikes than ever in the backcountry, bells, shouting and carrying bear spray might help.

Mark HeinzJuly 13, 2025

Teton County Search and Rescue transport a trail runner who went down with an injury in Phillips Canyon on June 22.

Teton County Search And Rescue Responding To More Calls Than Ever

Teton County Search and Rescue had its busiest six months ever from December 2024 through May 31. They had more calls in this six-month stretch than the team used to get in an entire year.

Mark HeinzJuly 12, 2025

Sightings of the dangerous and elusive "Swamp Moose" were reported in the Bighorn National Forest over the Fourth of July weekend. Swamp Moose is actually a mischievous 8-year-old wearing a ghillie suit with a moose antler on his head.

‘Swamp Moose’ Sightings In Bighorn National Forest Was 8-Year-Old Prankster

Sightings of the dangerous and elusive "Swamp Moose" were reported in the Bighorn National Forest over the Fourth of July weekend. Turns out the Swamp Moose was a mischievous 8-year-old wearing a ghillie suit with a moose antler on his head.

Andrew RossiJuly 12, 2025

Keeping Wyoming hiking and biking trails clear of fallen trees often falls to volunteers from local organizations. One such group is the Central Wyoming Trails Alliance – which maintains the Casper Mountain trail network.

Trees Are Blocking Wyoming Trails, And They Can’t Be Cleared Fast Enough

Dead trees keep falling over onto trails across Wyoming. With federal trail crews in short supply, the work of clearing the trails is increasingly falling on private companies or local volunteer groups.

Mark HeinzJuly 12, 2025

Before (background) and after (inset) views of the Second Tower on Grand Teton shows a dramatic difference after part of if fell off last weekend.

Another Chunk Of Grand Teton’s Second Tower Falls Off

The Jenny Lake Rangers report that another chunk of the Second Tower on Grand Teton fell off over the Fourth of July weekend. It’s the second major collapse involving Second Tower since 2022, leaving experienced climbers saying “just stay away from it.”

Andrew RossiJuly 11, 2025

Here’s an area in southeastern Montana near the Wyoming border where a wildfire burned through and ignited a coal seam.

Dozens Of New Burning Coal Seams Revealed Across Wyoming’s Northern Border

After an epic 2024 wildfire season burned vast areas across northern Wyoming and southern Montana, dozens of new burning coal seams are being revealed. In Montana, the Remington Fire burned almost 200,000 acres and left more than 100 new coal seam fires.

David MadisonJuly 10, 2025

A herd of exceptionally large cows teamed up last week to run off a grizzly bear in Montana. The herd of Charolais cattle, known for their huge size and aggressive nature, surrounded the grizzly and forced it to run away.

Herd Of Giant Cows Team Up To Scare Off Grizzly Bear

A herd of exceptionally large cows teamed up last week to run off a grizzly bear in Montana. The herd of Charolais cattle, known for their huge size and aggressive nature, surrounded the grizzly and forced it to run away.

Andrew RossiJuly 10, 2025

Green River is one of the only places in Wyoming to find midget faded rattlesnakes, which seem to invade the town about this time each year. It’s smaller and rarer than Wyoming’s other species with potent venom. But you can’t kill them; they’re protected.

Venomous — And Legally Protected — ‘Midget’ Rattlers Moving Into Green River

Green River is one of the only places in Wyoming to find midget faded rattlesnakes, which seem to invade the town about this time each year. It’s smaller and rarer than Wyoming’s other species with potent venom. But you can’t kill them; they’re protected.

Andrew RossiJuly 09, 2025

The last surviving cub of Grizzly 1063 in Grand Teton National Park, seen here with its mom, was trapped and relocated because it was hanging around a settled area. A bear expert said the yearling has good odds of surviving on its own.

Grizzly 1063’s Last Surviving Cub Trapped, Relocated Off On Its Own

The last surviving cub of Grizzly 1063 in Grand Teton National Park was trapped and relocated because it was hanging around a settled area. A bear expert said the yearling has good odds of surviving on its own.

Mark HeinzJuly 09, 2025

Raspberry has for years been a favorite among Yellowstone National Park’s grizzlies. Her fans worry that she might have been killed by another bear in June.

Fans Of Popular Yellowstone Grizzly Raspberry Fear Another Bear Killed Her

Fans of Raspberry, one of Yellowstone National Park’s most beloved and popular grizzly bears, fear she’s dead, perhaps killed by another bear.

Mark HeinzJuly 08, 2025

A proposal to raise the amount of land Wyomingites must own to qualify for landowner hunting tags is apparently off the table. But hunters worry it could come back for consideration by the Legislature.

Game And Fish Backs Off Unpopular Changes To Landowner Hunting Tags

A proposal to raise the amount of land Wyomingites must own to qualify for landowner hunting tags is apparently off the table. But hunters worry it could come back for consideration by the Legislature.

Mark HeinzJuly 08, 2025

An elusive rodeo bull named Sauce Boss — or maybe Twinkle Toes — was caught Sunday after running away from a Colorado rodeo. He enjoyed five days of freedom in the rugged brush and woods of an upscale neighborhood before finally being corralled.

Escaped Colorado Rodeo Bull Finally Caught After 5 Days Of Freedom

An elusive rodeo bull named Sauce Boss — or maybe Twinkle Toes — was caught Sunday after running away from a Colorado rodeo. He enjoyed five days of freedom in the rugged brush and woods of an upscale neighborhood before finally being corralled.

David MadisonJuly 07, 2025

Lucas Goodeill and Skyler Tomlinson

Mystery Man Saves Two Cody Teens From Drowning In Beck Lake

Cody resident Jeanne Goodeill doesn't know the name of the man who saved the lives of her 18-year-old son and nephew from drowning in Beck Lake on Friday. She wants him to know he’s a hero for swimming to their rescue during a thunderstorm.

Andrew RossiJuly 07, 2025

Jared Koenig, the director of recreation with the Sheridan Community Land Trust, demonstrates a “floater-friendly fence” that could help curb conflicts between ranchers and river recreationalists.

Floater-Friendly Fences Could Cool Fighting Between Wyoming Boaters And Ranchers

Steel cables with rope “danglers” that allow boaters to pass through could help cool fighting between floaters and ranchers in Wyoming. One such fight is brewing on Pine Creek near Pinedale.

Mark HeinzJuly 06, 2025

A Park County, Colorado, search and rescue team went 11 miles and spent 10 hours rescuing a dog that was overcome with exhaustion during a hike on June 24. Wyoming search and rescue teams aren’t willing to do that, you’d have to carry your dog out yourself here.

Colorado Search And Rescue Saves Dog, Something Wyoming Teams Can't Do

A Colorado search and rescue team spent 10 hours last week rescuing an exhausted dog from the backcountry. But in Wyoming, dogs are on their own as humans are the only priority. "We don't have the resources," one rescuer said.

Mark HeinzJuly 05, 2025

A mare named Barmaid escaped from its corral near Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park and ran loose in the park for about two weeks before finally being captured, safe and sound.

Trail Horse Named Barmaid Escapes, Runs Free in Grand Teton For Two Weeks

A trail riding mare named Barmaid escaped from a corral and ran free in Grand Teton National Park for about two weeks. She was finally rounded up last weekend without having suffered a single scratch.

Mark HeinzJuly 05, 2025

A stoat, or small member of the weasel family, invaded Warren Meyer’s garage north of Cheyenne. It was loose inside for about 20 hours before Meyer caught it and then set it free outside, unharmed.

Rural Cheyenne Garage Invaded By Stoat With Active Anal Glands

When Warren Meyer briefly opened his garage door this week, a stoat — or small weasel — darted-in unbeknownst to him. Meyer quickly found out that stoats have active and powerful anal glands.

Mark HeinzJuly 05, 2025

A young bull that escaped the Snowmass Village, Colorado, rodeo grounds Wednesday is still free and independent on the Fourth of July. He ran into an upscale residential neighborhood, where he’s eluded searchers for two days.

Independence Day: Bull Still On The Run 2 Days After Escaping Colorado Rodeo

A young bull that escaped the Snowmass Village, Colorado, rodeo grounds Wednesday is still free and independent on the Fourth of July. He ran into an upscale residential neighborhood, where he’s eluded searchers for two days.

David MadisonJuly 04, 2025

Grizzlies are a common sight out on the prairie flatlands near Augusta, in north-central Montana.

Tiny Montana Towns Adjust To Prairie Grizzlies And Attacks On Livestock

Grizzly bears continue to move back into prairie country in Montana. Near tiny rural communities, they’ve been attacking livestock and eating deer fawns. They've become so prevalent that "the cows didn't even seem to notice" them.

Mark HeinzJuly 04, 2025

Local departments and the Bureau of Land Management responded in force to the Powder River Fire near Arvada.

Lightning Sparks 11 Wildfires In One Night Across Northeast Wyoming

Fire departments across three counties in northeast Wyoming were stretched thin Wednesday night when a thunderstorm rolled through and left 11 lightning-caused wildfires in its path.

David MadisonJuly 03, 2025

The Coyote Run Fire with the town of Thermopolis a mile away in the background. The 175-acre fire doesn't pose any threat to the town, but the situation could be changed if lightning from afternoon thunderstorms sparks new fires.

Wildfires Burn Nearly 1,000 Acres Around Thermopolis, Come Within 1 Mile Of Town

Fire crews from multiple agencies spent Wednesday assisting the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department with several wildfires sparked by a Tuesday thunderstorm. Nearly 1,000 acres have burned, and one fire came within a mile of town.

Andrew RossiJuly 02, 2025

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