Outdoors

A smokejumper on a practice jump over Yellowstone National Park

Wyoming History: 1937 Fire Killed 15 Firefighters, Helped Launch Smokejumpers

A fire west of Cody in August 1937 killed 15 wildland firefighters and injured dozens more. The devastating human toll prompted a revolution of firefighting innovation, including launching a special type of firefighter — smokejumpers.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 25, 2025

A family from Emblem, Wyoming, remains devastated a month after the deaths of five pet dogs that ate poisoned-laced bait meat on BLM land adjacent to their property. They are, top, Birch and Bayou. Below, Willow, Barkley and Spot.

Big Horn County Family Mourns Loss Of Five Dogs Due to Poisoning On BLM Land

A Big Horn County family is mourning the loss of their five dogs after they escaped through a fence and ate poisoned meat placed on BLM land to kill predators. Trina Widdison said they had to have their dogs euthanized and her children have been traumatized.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 25, 2025

In 1948, Idaho Fish and Game loaded beavers into wooden crates, attached to parachutes. They were loaded onto planes and air dropped into the remote wilderness.

That Time Idaho Parachuted 76 Beavers Into Remote Wilderness

In 1948, Idaho wildlife officials had a beaver problem — too many in lowland areas, where they were becoming a nuisance, but a remote high-mountain area had none. So, they parachuted 76 beavers into the remote wilderness, where they still thrive.

Mark HeinzOctober 25, 2025

One of 10 wolves reintroduced to northern Colorado in December 2023.

Brian Nesvik To Colorado: No More Wolves From Canada Allowed

By bringing in wolves from Canada, Colorado might have violated an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That needs to stop, agency Director Brian Nesvik says in a letter to Colorado officials.

Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2025

A grizzly bit into Celia Easton’s boot and pulled it off her foot during an encounter in the Beathtooth Mountains of Wyoming.

Grizzly Bites Off Hunter’s Boot In Wild Wyoming Showdown

It was the closest of calls. A grizzly charged a Wyoming woman who was elk hunting near Cody, biting into her rubber boot and pulling it off her foot.

Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2025

Dottie, a young shorthaired Australian Shepard, was bitten in the head and carried of by a mountain lion on her owners’ property near Newcastle.

Dog Survives After Mountain Lion Snatches Her By The Head Near Newcastle

An Australian shepherd named Dottie is alive at home after a mountain lion snatched her by the head and tried to carry her off Sunday. Her owners say more lions have been showing up around their Newcastle, Wyoming, property lately.

Mark HeinzOctober 22, 2025

Hunter Shoots, Kills Grizzly With Rifle In Self-Defense South Of Yellowstone

A hunter shot and killed a male grizzly bear in self-defense early Saturday in the Island Park area south of Yellowstone National Park, marking the third year in a row for such incidents.

Mark HeinzOctober 21, 2025

Artificial Intelligence Fools Hunters Into Shooting Ducks On The Wrong Day

Using a Google-AI search for duck hunting season dates landed some Idaho hunters in trouble as the search gave them the wrong dates. An experienced Wyoming hunter said relying on AI for reliable information is a “crapshoot” at best.

Mark HeinzOctober 21, 2025

George Bumann and his wife Jenny Golding have spent more than two decades learning how to understand what the animals in Yellowstone National Park tell us.

How A Couple Of Naturalists Cracked The Code Of Animal Language In Yellowstone

Naturalist George Bumann decodes animal communication in Yellowstone, revealing how listening to wildlife transforms our understanding of the natural world. He says animal sounds carry meaning humans can learn to interpret.

David MadisonOctober 19, 2025

The piebald elk cow along the South Fork of the Shoshone River near Cody. Most piebald elk don't make it to adulthood, but this extremely rare cow appeared to be young and healthy.

Rare 1-In-100,000 Piebald Cow Elk Spotted Near Cody

Powell photographer Michael Moore got photos of a piebald cow elk in a herd southwest of Cody. The rare condition, where the elk's hair and fur is more white than brown, is seen in less than 1% of the elk in the United States.

Andrew RossiOctober 19, 2025

The popular Boiling River hot springs soaking spot was washed away by the 2022 floods, but it used to be a magnet for those in search of a natural soaking experience not far from Mammoth Hot Springs.

Doomsday Church Renovating Popular Yellowstone Hot Springs

The popular Boiling River hot springs soaking spot near the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park was washed away by the flood of 2022. That's sent more soakers to Yellowstone Hot Springs, run by a doomsday church that's now renovating.

David MadisonOctober 19, 2025

Lander Photographer Captures Striking Aspen 'Leaf Fall' In Sinks Canyon

A Lander photographer captured a striking “leaf fall” of brilliantly colored aspens cascading through Sinks Canyon. Experts say the trees may share connected roots or be separate groves growing together through the drainage.

Andrew RossiOctober 18, 2025

Garments with built-in concealed carry handgun holsters are nothing new, but they’ve become more popular lately, with Wyoming eliminating gun-free zones, and a push nationwide for concealed carry permits. This canvas vest made by Venado has multiple holsters.

‘Concealed Carry’ Fashion Includes Vests And Workout Shorts With Pistol Holsters

Concealed carry clothing, with built-in pistol holsters and pouches for ammunition magazines, could be one of the fastest-growing fashion niches. Wyoming tactical experts, however, said although it could be viable for some, the clothing has drawbacks that can make it impractical.

Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2025

Tommy, a bull elk at the North Carolina Zoo, picked a fight with a bison — and won. Tommy wouldn't have fared as well had the showdown happened in Wyoming, where the bison are bigger, bulkier and more belligerent when challenged.

Who Wins When A Bull Elk Picks A Fight With A Bison? Depends On The Bison

Tommy, a bull elk at the North Carolina Zoo, picked a fight with a bison — and won. Biologists say Tommy wouldn't have fared as well had the showdown happened in Wyoming, because the bison are bigger, bulkier and more belligerent when challenged.

Andrew RossiOctober 18, 2025

New Comet Could Be 7 Billion Years Old And Contain $455 Trillion of Nickel

Astronomers are watching a new comet pass through our solar system with great interest. Based on its glow, the 33-billion-ton interstellar object is believed to contain a shockingly high quantity of nickel. If we could mine it today, it would be worth approximately $455 trillion.

Andrew RossiOctober 17, 2025

This bull elk was among four illegally shot and left to rot in southern Colorado.

Four Trophy Bull Elk Illegally Killed, Colorado Poachers Could Face Lifetime Bans

In a poaching case that one wildlife official said is the worst he’s ever seen, four trophy-sized bull elk were shot and left to rot in southern Colorado in one of the state’s most prized hunting areas. Offenders could face lifetime hunting bans if caught.

Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2025

Two Idaho Hunters Killed In Two Days Highlights Dangers Of Unsafe Hunting

The accidental shooting deaths of two Idaho hunters in the past week highlights the dangers of unsafe hunting, say Wyoming outdoorsmen. It's also a reminder to be extra careful with more hunters out looking for game every season.

Mark HeinzOctober 15, 2025

Yellowstone Guide Loves The Backcountry, Where His Mules Chase Grizzlies Away

A Yellowstone outfitter and guide loves exploring the most remote places in the national park. His horses and mules not only are hardy companions, they gang up to chase away interloping grizzlies.

Mark HeinzOctober 14, 2025

After waiting 45 years to draw a coveted bighorn sheep tag on the Moss Ranch near Lovell, Nick Siddle of Sheridan shot one of the area’s trademark rams with a rare horn mutation.

Wyoming Hunter Shoots Ram With Well-Known Horn Mutation In Famous Herd Near Lovell

A Sheridan man waited 45 years to draw a bighorn sheep tag and ended up shooting a ram with a rare horn mutation, a trademark of famous herd on the Moss Ranch near Lovell.

Mark HeinzOctober 12, 2025

Randy Svalina of Laramie said he and his doctor started joking about designing his prosthetic leg to work as a hunting rifle rest. Now they’re seriously considering the idea.

One-Legged Laramie Hunter Bags Antelope, Plans To Build Prosthetic Rifle Rest

Despite just getting a new prosthetic leg, Randy Svalina of Laramie went on a solo antelope hunt last week and got his buck. He and his doctor are now discussing designing the prosthetic to double as a hunting rifle rest.

Mark HeinzOctober 12, 2025

In 1870, Truman Everts was lost in Yellowstone National Park with only two knives and a pair of opera glasses. He was slowly starving as winter set in, his only food roots of thistles. Then ghostly guides appeared to guide him home.

Haunted Wyoming: Ghostly Guides Saved Explorer Lost In Yellowstone 155 Years Ago

In September 1870, Truman Everts was separated from the rest of his party in the heart of Yellowstone. In the following month, he survived a mountain lion attack, forest fire and near starvation. Full of despair, a ghostly figure appeared.

Jackie DorothyOctober 12, 2025

Moose resident Yvon Chouinard combined forces with the godfather of flying fishing in Yellowstone National Park Craig Mathews to write a new book about doing more with less: "Pheasant Tail Simplicity: Recipes and Techniques for Successful Fly Fishing."

Patagonia Founder, Wyoming Conservationist Preaches Fly-Fishing Simplicity & Naked Climbing

Wyoming resident and conservation icon Yvon Chouinard joined forces with Craig Mathews — the "dean" of fly fishing in Yellowstone in a new book that urges anglers and the rest of the world to do more with less -- like climbing El Capitan completely naked, at night.

David MadisonOctober 11, 2025

Rock Springs resident Lori Dickinson shot this gigantic mule deer buck on a general season tag near Bondurant.

Rock Springs Woman Bags Massive Mule Deer Dubbed ‘Gray Ghost’

Rock Springs hunter Lori Dickinson said she feels blessed by how everything fell into place, giving her the opportunity to shoot a mule deer that could turn out to be one of the top monster bucks of the 2025 hunting season.

Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2025

Squatters, BASE Jumpers Flood Yosemite During Shutdown, No Chaos At Yellowstone

During the government shutdown, Yosemite National Park has been invaded by squatters and adrenaline junkies, illegally parachuting off El Capitan. Tour guides told Cowboy State Daily that Grand Teton and Yellowstone haven’t slid into chaos.