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Fremont County resident Patrick Edwards loves angling for walleye. Fishing for them is challenging, and they’re excellent table fare, he said.

Future For Wyoming's Walleye Fishing Shaky As Major Hatchery Faces Risks

There’s a huge demand for walleye in Wyoming but the main supply of walleye, from a North Dakota hatchery is in doubt because of a zebra mussel threat. To get ahead of the problem, Wyoming's Game and Fish Department is looking to ramp up its walleye hatchery program here.

Mark HeinzNovember 15, 2025

Bison from Utah’s Book Cliffs herd have been migrating across the state line into Colorado, where they’re not officially recognized as wildlife.

Bison Crossing From Utah Into Colorado Now Officially Protected Wildlife

Bison from Utah’s iconic Book Cliffs Herd have been venturing across the state line into Colorado, which recently decided to protect them as wildlife for the first time.

Mark HeinzNovember 14, 2025

This young mule deer buck in Sheridan suffered a rare antler break at the base because of some massive force, such as a vehicle strike, or a fight with another deer.

Mule Deer Buck With Bizarre, Rare Antler Break Turns Heads In Sheridan

A young mule deer buck has been running around Sheridan with a bizarre antler, dangling from a broken base. A biologist says the buck will likely have a permanent deformity.

Mark HeinzNovember 12, 2025

Brayden Cummings of Rock Springs shot this bull elk in the Greater Little Mountain Area last year. Elk tags are difficult to draw for that area, but the game is plentiful.

Hunters Push To Protect Greater Little Mountain, Wyoming’s ‘Crown Jewel’

The future of more than 3 million acres of federal land in southwest Wyoming remains uncertain. But one section of it, the Greater Little Mountain area, should remain untouched, outdoors enthusiasts say.

Mark HeinzNovember 12, 2025

A pair of brawling mule deer bucks crashed through a plate glass window and ended up in the basement exercise room of a suburban Denver home Sunday. They were tranquilized, hauled out by firefighters and set free again.

Brawling Deer Smash Through Window Into Denver Basement Exercise Room

A pair of brawling mule deer bucks crashed through a plate glass window and ended up in the basement exercise room of a suburban Denver home Sunday. They were tranquilized, hauled out by firefighters and set free again.

Mark HeinzNovember 11, 2025

A well-known Yellowstone photographer just posted video of two tourists who nearly escaped being gored earlier this summer. She told Cowboy State Daily the tourists were repeatedly warned to leave the area but ignored the warnings and were almost impaled.

Yellowstone Tourists Nearly Gored By Charging Bison

A well-known Yellowstone photographer just posted video of two tourists who narrowly escaped being gored earlier this summer. She told Cowboy State Daily the tourists were repeatedly warned to leave the area but ignored the warnings and were almost impaled.

Andrew RossiNovember 11, 2025

Elk hunting 9 16 22

Ranchers Push Sale Of Landowner Hunting Tags For 2026 Wyoming Session

Allowing Wyoming ranchers to sell their landowner hunting tags would bring them a much-needed financial boost, proponents say. Opponents argue that it would inflame tensions between landowners and hunters.

Mark HeinzNovember 10, 2025

Pine Creek Ski Area markets itself as “skiing the way it used to be” and offers no public Wi-Fi.

When The Ski Slopes Are Too Crowded, Why Not Rent Your Own Ski Area?

When the weather conditions looked perfect, four friends reached out to Nathan Etcheverry at Pine Creek Ski Area near Cokeville and booked the entire mountain. As it turns out, a number of other ski areas in Wyoming offer the same. It's pricey but there are no lift lines.

David MadisonNovember 09, 2025

Laramie gunsmith Nathan Heineke has revived the timeless craft of making fine hunting rifles that are practically works of art and sell for $24,000 or more. But they aren’t meant to hang on walls; they’re built for serious hunting.

Laramie Gunsmith's $24,000 Fine Rifles Are Works Of Art Made For Serious Hunting

Laramie gunsmith Nathan Heineke has revived the timeless craft of making fine hunting rifles that are practically works of art and sell for $24,000 or more. But they aren’t meant to hang on walls; they’re built for serious hunting.

Mark HeinzNovember 09, 2025

Saratoga Hot Springs Resort owner Michael Janssen is a world-renowned spinal surgeon. He’s also a powerboat racing champion, which makes him the best guy for the job when it comes to treating injuries in Key West at powerboat races. And there can be plenty of injuries with powerboats that go so fast that they often go airborne.

Wyoming People: World-Renowned Spinal Surgeon And Powerboat Champion Michael Janssen

When the world’s fastest powerboats converge on the Florida Keys for the world championship powerboat races, no one is in higher demand than Wyoming resident Dr. Michael Janssen, the world-renowned spinal surgeon and medical director of the event.

Zakary SonntagNovember 09, 2025

Cellphone cameras are better than ever, but if you want to match the quality of images that professional shutterbugs capture of Wyoming’s wildlife, you’ll have to spend tens of thousands of dollars.

For Wildlife Photography Do You Need An Expensive Camera Or Is An iPhone Good Enough?

Cellphone cameras can produce some spectacular photos. Aren't they good enough now or do you still need to spend thousands on professional cameras and lenses? We asked some of Wyoming's best wildlife photographers.

Mark HeinzNovember 09, 2025

Ryan Hansen got this mule deer buck during a family hunting trip in southwest Wyoming.

Wyoming Family Bags Five Huge Mule Deer In One Incredible Season

If there is one lesson to be taken away from a Uinta County family’s magnificent mule deer hunting season, it’s that putting in the work scouting an area ahead of time can pay off big time. All five members of the family bagged huge bucks.

Mark HeinzNovember 08, 2025

Grizzly autumn 11 8 25

Hunter Kills Two Grizzlies In Montana, Claims Self-Defense After Charging Him

A hunter in Montana shot and killed two grizzlies on Wednesday near Seeley Lake in a remote area of Missoula County, Montana. The man says he shot in self-defense after the bears, and another yearling, ran at him and his hunting partner.

Mark HeinzNovember 07, 2025

Japan’s brown bears are essentially the same species as Wyoming’s grizzlies. This mother and cub were skinny because the late-summer pink salmon run they were waiting for was late.

Japan Calls Out The Military To Help Stop Surge In Bear Attacks

Japan for years has had a problem with bear attacks, but lately it’s gotten so bad the military was deployed to help protect people from getting mauled and killed.

Mark HeinzNovember 07, 2025

Of the roadkill in Wyoming each year, about 85% are deer.

Time Change And Rut Season Make Wyoming Highways Deadly For Deer

The number of deer getting hit on America’s highways jumps significantly when daylight saving time ends and the sun sets sooner. In Wyoming, bucks being in the rut (mating season) makes matters even worse.

Mark HeinzNovember 04, 2025

Most of the firearms and ammunition tax revenue for wildlife conservation is coming from non-hunting sport shooters. Anti-hunters are trying to leverage that, but Wyoming shooters say it won’t work here.

Will Firearms, Ammo Taxes Become Wedge Between Hunters, Sports Shooters?

Most of the firearms and ammunition tax revenue for wildlife conservation is coming from non-hunting sports shooters. Anti-hunters are trying to leverage that, but Wyoming shooters say it won’t work here.

Mark HeinzNovember 03, 2025

Some states are now allowing hunters to use drones for locating animals, and others are considering it. That doesn't sit well with Buffalo's Mark Jones, a national director for Gun Owners of America. "Technology is ruining what hunting was meant to be," he said.

Looking For Wounded Deer With Drones Blurs Ethical Lines, Hunters Say

Some states are now allowing hunters to use drones for locating animals, and others are considering it. That doesn't sit well with Buffalo's Mark Jones, a national director for Gun Owners of America. "Technology is ruining what hunting was meant to be," he said.

Mark HeinzNovember 02, 2025

Vahé Alaverdan checks on one of his birds right before a presentation about them.

Wyoming Falconer Has 40 Birds That Can Nosedive 240 MPH, As Fast As A Ferrari

A Wyoming falconer says supercar drivers can have their Ferraris, he’ll take his 40 falcons. They’re faster, too, dive-bombing more than 240 mph. He also consults with author C.J. Box to give authenticity to Joe Pickett sidekick and falconer Nate Romanowski.

Renée JeanNovember 02, 2025

An image from an aerial tour of the Belvoir Ranch.

Touring The Belvoir Ranch Near Cheyenne, Now With 12 Miles Of New Public Trails

Last week, Cowboy State Daily toured the Belvoir Ranch, which offers the public 12 miles of new public trails and other outdoor rec opportunities in Laramie County. Opening next spring, the land is shared with wind turbines but they're pretty well hidden.

Renée JeanNovember 02, 2025

Many wildlife experts and advocates say you can’t put a price on Yellowstone’s famous grizzly bears, that they’re “priceless.” A new study says they’re actually worth about $50,000 each a year to the park.

Tourism Study Says Each Grizzly Worth About $50,000 A Year To Yellowstone

Wildlife experts and advocates say you can’t put a price on Yellowstone’s famous grizzly bears because they’re “priceless.” But in terms of tourism dollars, a new study says each grizzly is worth about $46,000 a year to the park.

Andrew RossiNovember 01, 2025

Fall is a great time to fish on the North Platte River near Casper, with cooler weather, clear water and thinner crowds.

Fall Not Just For Hunting: Wyoming Anglers Say It’s The Best Time For Fishing

Wyoming outdoors enthusiasts are obsessed with hunting during the fall, but anglers say it’s also the best time of year to go fishing.

Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2025

An Buffalo, Wyoming-area elk hunter claims that he and others are denied hunting opportunities by a landowner hoarding the herd by deliberately driving elk away from public land, like in this file photo of Wyoming elk on winter range.

Hunters Claim Wyoming Landowner Hoards Elk By Driving Them Away From Public Land

An Buffalo, Wyoming-area elk hunter claims that he and others are denied hunting opportunities by a landowner hoarding the herd by deliberately driving elk away from public land.

Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2025

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

Federal Plan To Massacre Nearly 500,000 Owls To Save Other Owls Is Back On Track

The U.S. Senate cleared the way Wednesday for wildlife agents to kill nearly 500,000 barred owls to save spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, barred owls could be moving in on native great gray owls in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2025

Wyoming hunters say it’s unfair when big game hunting tags in some areas all go to landowners. A legislative committee advanced a bill Wednesday that could cap landowner tag allocations at 40% under some circumstances.

Committee OK's Bill To Cap Landowner Hunting Tags, Leaving More For Public

Wyoming hunters say it’s unfair when big game hunting tags in some areas all go to landowners. A legislative committee advanced a bill Wednesday that could cap landowner tag allocations at 40% under some circumstances.

Mark HeinzOctober 29, 2025

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