Outdoors | Cowboy State Daily

Austin King has been missing since summiting Eagle Peak in Yellowstone National Park on Sept. 17.

Best Friend Of Yellowstone Hiker Missing A Week Waits At Camp, Desperate For News

Desmond McGroarty, lifelong best friend of missing Yellowstone hiker Austin King, is desperately hoping he’s found alive. He’s at the concessions village where they'd both been working, eager for any news.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 24, 2024

Climber Dies After Fall From Devils Tower, Partner Rescued

A 21-year-old climber from Wisconsin died after a fall while climbing Devils Tower on Sunday. He was climbing with a partner, who became stranded and was rescued.

Andrew RossiSeptember 24, 2024

Grizzly 399 and her cub Spirit caused some “bear jams” on the roads in Grand Teton National Park earlier this summer.

Grizzly 399 And Huge Cub Have Been “Elusive,” But Not Feared Dead Or Missing

Grizzly 399, Wyoming’s most beloved wildlife celebrity, and her huge cub Spirit have been “elusive” lately. But those who have closely followed her for years aren’t worried, at least not yet.

Mark HeinzSeptember 23, 2024

Karley and Craig Summit of Omaha, Nebraska, are the makers of the Squallet, a wallet made from a squirrel pelt, and other wildlife fur products. They have strong Wyoming connections and love hunting here.

The ‘Squallet’ Was Conceived In Wyoming; Its Makers Love Coming Back For Elk Hunts

The idea for 'squallets' — wallets made from dead squirrels — was conceived in Wyoming. Now it's a profitable business and the inventors, from Omaha, love coming back to the Cowboy State for elk hunts. They had their last successful hunt in Wyoming last weekend.

Mark HeinzSeptember 22, 2024

Brief: Man Survives Bear Attack In Glacier National Park, Then Walks A Mile To Helicopter

A 35-year-old man was attacked by a bear while hiking in Glacier National Park on Thursday. The injured man then walked a full mile to where a helicopter extricated him to safety.

Andrew RossiSeptember 21, 2024

Left: David Mercado of Casper loves going into Wyoming’s most remote wild places to hunt elk. His son, Gary Barkley (rear) frequently goes with him. Middle and right: David Mercado of Casper had to call in a rescue chopper for his friend Neil Richard of Texas, after Richard was bucked from his horse and suffered a broken femur while hunting elk in remote backcountry near Dubois.

Casper Man’s Elk Hunt From Hell: Broken Bones, Chopper Rescue And Grizzly Attack

A Casper man’s elk hunt in the Wyoming wilderness turned into the hunt from hell, including a broken leg, grizzly attack and runaway horses. But everybody made it out alive.

Mark HeinzSeptember 20, 2024

A female grizzly with three cubs showed up early Tuesday and again early Wednesday in the camp of bowhunter Bruce Cooper in the Wyoming Range – and these photos were captured on his security camera. He decided not to go back Thursday “because of safety concerns.”

For Grizzly Defense Handguns, Hunters Prefers Magnum Revolvers Or 10 mm Pistols

Opinions vary on what’s the best handgun to carry for grizzly defense in Wyoming. Magnum-caliber revolvers and 10 mm semiautomatic pistols seem to be the most popular with hunters.

Mark HeinzSeptember 19, 2024

A pair of white-tailed deer graze on sagebrush in this file photo.

Hunters Can Go After White-Tailed Deer On Elk Refuge Near Jackson

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department wants hunters to shoot more white-tailed deer in the Jackson area. That’s where whitetails compete with coveted mule deer herds.

Mark HeinzSeptember 19, 2024

Firefighting crews expect to achieve 100% containment on the Short Draw Fire on Friday, Sept. 19, 2024.

Five Homes, 31 Outbuildings Burned By Short Draw Fire

With 100% containment expected Friday, an inventory of what was lost to the Short Draw Fire is in — five homes and 31 outbuildings. The wildfire has burned about 35,000 acres in northern Wyoming and southern Montana.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 19, 2024

Chris Clemmens of Georgia has already been on one Wyoming elk hunt – through a program that allows Wyoming residents to donate their tags to disabled veterans. He can’t wait to come out again this year.

Purple Heart Army Vet Thrilled To Get Coveted Wyoming Elk Hunt

Chris Clemmens of Georgia is a decorated Army combat veteran who loves Wyoming. He's thrilled about an upcoming elk hunt here through a program that donates hunting tags to veterans.

Mark HeinzSeptember 18, 2024

Though he was struck by a car and severely injured a couple of years ago, a mule deer buck in Rock Springs that people call Steve the Survivor still loves hanging out with other deer and eating crabapples.

Rock Springs Loves Steve, A Mule Deer With Gnarled Antlers And Missing A Hoof

There’s a reason folks in Rock Springs, Wyoming, love a resident deer they call Steve the Survivor. With gnarled antlers and missing a hoof, Steve is “a symbol of perseverance,” says one local fan.

Mark HeinzSeptember 17, 2024

Rocky Mountain Grizzlies Keep Getting Shot By Bowhunters With Handguns

So far this archery hunting season, three grizzly bears have been shot — and two killed — by bowhunters wielding handguns in self-defense. Wildlife observers and hunters believe conflicts will escalate because of the popularity of bowhunting and the increasing numbers of bears.

Mark HeinzSeptember 17, 2024

An aerial view of the Short Draw Fire shows acres of black and burned wildland while a homestead that's been saved from the flames.

Short Draw Fire 65% Contained, But Igniting Underground Coal Seams

Wildland firefighting crews have gained 65% containment of the Short Draw Fire in northeast Wyoming and southern Montana. But they’re also now fighting coal seam fires ignited by the wildfire.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 17, 2024

With $2.7 Million In Donations, $28 Million Wildlife Crossing Near Dubois Closer To Reality

A much-anticipated wildlife crossing near Dubois is closer to reality now than $2.7 million has been raised in private donations. Hundreds of mule deer are killed each year on U.S. Highway 26. Construction on the $28 million project will begin in 2027.

Mark HeinzSeptember 17, 2024

Every year when a huge elk herd returns to Estes Park, Colorado, they make it their town.

It’s A Wonder More People Don’t Get Stomped By Estes Park’s Urban Elk

Estes Park, Colorado, is essentially an urban elk preserve. Locals love the huge herd of elk that takes over the town a couple times a year, but resent tourists acting like idiots and getting too close.

Mark HeinzSeptember 16, 2024

Sadie Swartzfager, 14, of Pennsylvania – in the orange hat – joined family and friends in celebrating getting her first elk in Wyoming.

Dying Pennsylvania Man’s Wish Was A Wyoming Elk And Deer Hunt For His Daughter

Dying from cancer, one of a Pennsylvania man’s last wishes was a first Wyoming elk and deer hunt for his 14-year-old daughter. Thanks to a Gillette-area Airbnb owner and outfitter, they got that dream hunt.

Mark HeinzSeptember 15, 2024

As evacuation orders are lifted, some people in the path of the Short Draw Fire are returning to find their homes gone. That was the case for Cheyenne and Jesse Raymond, who posted to Facebook about the devastation of finding their home had burned.

Families Devastated To Find Homes Burned As Short Draw Fire Evacuations Lifted

Evacuation orders in northern Wyoming and southern Montana have been lifted for folks in the path of the Short Draw Fire. But some families are devastated to find they no longer have homes to return to.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 15, 2024

Hoback is a moose that lives in Grand Teton National Park, and his fans say he’s the biggest bull moose in the park. He’s pictured here shedding the “velvet” (a natural growth membrane) from his antlers.

Videographer Catches Hoback, Teton Park’s Famously Huge Moose, Shedding Velvet

It took her six years, but a West Yellowstone photographer finally captured video of Hoback the moose shedding his antler velvet. Hoback is well-known, among wildlife photographers, as one of the largest bull moose in Grand Teton National Park.

Mark HeinzSeptember 14, 2024

Left: At just 13 years old, Russell Goolsbey of Powell did what many seasoned hunters only dream of, shooting a mountain goat in northwest Wyoming’s backcountry. Right: At just 12 years old, Rhett Goolsbey did what many seasoned hunters only dream of, shooting a bighorn ram in northwest Wyoming’s backcountry.

Draws Of A Lifetime: Powell Boys Get Sheep, Mountain Goat Tags On 1st, 2nd Tries

Some Wyoming hunters try for decades to draw hunting tags for bighorn sheep or mountain goats and still don’t get one. A pair of Powell farm boy had draws of a lifetime, each getting one — one on his first try and the other his second.

Mark HeinzSeptember 13, 2024

Yoder Volunteer Fire Department Brush Truck 31 saved this home on the overnight shift fighting the Short Draw Fire near Recluse, Wyoming, in September. The truck is crewed by Caleb Anderson and Abigail Anderson — a brother/sister firefighting team — and Whitman Jones.

Evacuations Still In Place As Volatile Northeast Wyoming Wildfire Threatens Homes

Firefighters on both side of the Wyoming-Montana border report progress battling the 40,000-acre Short Draw Fire. But evacuation orders remain in place as the fire is still unpredictable and threatening homes.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 13, 2024

Intense flames driven by wind has grown the Short Draw Fire burning in northern Wyoming and southern Montana to more than 30,000 acres as of Thursday night, Sept. 12, 2024.

Crews Work Furiously To Save Homes From Huge Wildfire In Northeast Wyoming

Firefighting crews on both sides of the Wyoming-Montana border are working furiously to save homes and ranches from a volatile and out-of-control wildfire. The Short Draw Fire has so far burned 30,500 acres.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 13, 2024

Wyoming Delegation Will Not Support Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons Act

Wyoming’s congressional delegation on Thursday said they do not support a bill that would prohibit killing wolves with snowmobiles. Further, they said states that don’t have snowmobiling should say out of the West’s business.

Mark HeinzSeptember 12, 2024

One-year-old Lainey Seely was napping in a kiddie pack on the back of her dad, Ryder Seely, as he stalked to within bowshot range of this impressive southeast Wyoming buck.

Wyoming Bowhunter Bags Big Buck With Napping Toddler On His Back

Wheatland bowhunter Ryder Seely stalked and shot a big mule deer buck Wednesday. He couldn't find a babysitter when the daycare was unexpectedly closed, so he did it with his sleeping 1-year-old daughter on his back.

Mark HeinzSeptember 12, 2024

Crews from the Tongue River Electric Cooperative work in the dark to try and save power poles from the Short Draw Fire.

Huge Wildfire In Northeast Wyoming Now 30,500 Acres And Growing Fast

A wildfire north of Recluse, Wyoming, near the Montana border has exploded to an estimated 30,500 acres and is growing fast. People in the area have been urged to evacuate as the fire burns uncontrolled.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 12, 2024

Page 57