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Colorado allows only cage traps for species such as bobcats. Some want to ban the commercial sale of wildlife fur there; trappers say it’s a ruse to try banning trapping altogether.

Colorado Braces For Mob Scene Over Proposal To Ban Sale Of Trapped Fur

A push to ban the sale of trapped wildlife fur has become an emotional powder keg in Colorado, with a vote on it expected Wednesday. Opponents say it’s an “extremist” move by “vegans and vegetarians," while supporters call it closing a loophole. 

Mark HeinzMarch 04, 2026

It’s been a tale of two winters around the U.S., with Wyoming and other parts of the West getting almost no snow. Meanwhile, the East has been getting hammered. “We have never seen anything of this magnitude in modern times,” meteorologist Don Day says.

Tale Of Two Winters: Almost No Snow For Wyoming, While East Got Hammered

It’s been a tale of two winters around the U.S., with Wyoming and other parts of the West getting almost no snow. Meanwhile, the East has been getting hammered. “We have never seen anything of this magnitude in modern times,” meteorologist Don Day says.

Andrew RossiMarch 03, 2026

A young grizzly bear and two wolves had a close encounter in Yellowstone National Park. It was a passing moment, not the beginning of a best-buddies relationship between the apex predators.

Don't Read Too Much Into A Peaceful Moment Between Yellowstone Wolves And Grizzly

Although a spectacular photo taken by a wildlife photographer in Yellowstone may give the illusion that this grizzly and two wolves are buddies, they're not. Biologist Cecily Costello said It just means they’ve decided fighting right then wasn't worth the risk.

Mark HeinzMarch 02, 2026

Sheridan Community Land Trust leads a walking tour of history along Soldier Ridge Trail.

Instead of ‘Keep Out,’ Wyoming Rancher Invites People To ‘Come Hike’ On His Property

Many private ranches in Wyoming are more likely to post “Keep Out” signs than invite people to hike on their land. One rancher took a chance a decade ago, and the result is a legacy trail that will forever protect the view for Sheridan’s western edge.

Renée JeanMarch 01, 2026

Dan Kinneman of Riverton has been hunting crows since he was 14. He’s says crows are harder to hunt than ducks and geese, because they’re smarter.

Wyoming Crow Hunters Can Blast All They Want, But Nobody Eats The Birds

Mention of bird hunting might conjure up images of hunters and dogs pounding the brush in hopes of kicking up pheasants. But crow hunting is a thing in Wyoming too. No license is required, and there’s no bag limit. Hunters can just blast away.

Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2026

Wildlife biologists examine a mountain lion during research into the interactions between mountain lions and wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

Why Scientists Doped Up Mountain Lions And Climbed Down Trees With Them In Yellowstone

Faced with the quandary of how to get mountain lions out of trees for scientific analysis, researchers dosed them with ketamine, then climbed up to place harnesses on the still-conscious cats. “It’s definitely a little wild," one of the scientists said.

Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2026

A widespread bacteria called "soap scum" grows in Yellowstone National Park's thermal pools that on the surface doesn't seem that unique. Ongoing studies into this complex organism are revealing that how it survives might also help humanity survive.

How Yellowstone's 'Soap Scum' Bacteria Could Change The World

A widespread bacteria called "soap scum" grows in Yellowstone National Park's thermal pools that on the surface doesn't seem that unique. Ongoing studies into this complex organism are revealing that how it survives might also help humanity survive.

Andrew RossiFebruary 28, 2026

With what locals say is an unprecedentedly mild winter, elk are bailing out of the National Elk Refuge near Jackson, apparently thinking it's spring already.

Mobs Of Elk Leave National Elk Refuge Near Jackson With ‘False Sense Of Early Spring'

With what locals say is an unprecedentedly mild winter, elk are bailing out of the National Elk Refuge near Jackson, apparently thinking it's spring already. "Because the snowpack is so low, there is little reason to be there," said one photographer.

Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2026

A Laramie County rancher shot a roughly 2-year-old male wolf near Carpenter, Wyoming. Wildlife officials say it may be the first recorded legal wolf killing in the county, and its origin remains unclear.

"That Ain't No Coyote": Rancher Kills Wolf In Southeastern Wyoming Near Carpenter

A Laramie County rancher shot a roughly 2-year-old male wolf near Carpenter, Wyoming, where wolves are almost never seen. It may be the first recorded legal wolf killing in the county, and its origin remains unclear.

Mark HeinzFebruary 25, 2026

Outdoorsman Trinity Vandenacre (right) interviews a Colorado rancher about the effects of wolves on the cattle industry there.

Influential Outdoorsman Says Wolves Cost Western States More Than Tourism Brings In

It’s commonly argued that wolves are worth millions to the economies of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, because they’re such tourist magnets. Others, like outdoorsman Trinity Vandenacre, say wolves ultimately drain more from the states’ economies than they bring in.

Mark HeinzFebruary 24, 2026

Surveillance footage of poaching incident at Orofino Elementary School

Idaho Man Poaches Deer On Elementary School Lawn, Then Comes Back For Carcass

In a case that a wildlife officer described as "crazy" and “a first for me,” an Idaho man allegedly shot a deer on an elementary school lawn after dark, left for about two hours, and then came back and loaded the deer’s carcass into his pickup.

Mark HeinzFebruary 23, 2026

Elk might be regarded as walking septic tanks, insofar as the range of bacteria and other flora in their guts allows them to process all sorts of things that other animals, such as deer, might not be able to handle.

Did You Know? Elk Are Nature's Garbage Disposals, They'll Eat Anything

Elk could be regarded as walking septic tanks in that the range of bacteria in their gut allows them to eat things other animals can't handle. They have a multi-stomach digestive system and the first stomach is “essentially a fermentation vat."

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2026

Bald eagles and ravens compete for scraps from the carcass of a bison killed by the Wapiti wolf pack in Yellowstone National Park.

Circle Of Life: Eagles, Ravens Feast On Bison Killed By Wolves In Yellowstone

Bald eagles might be regarded as the most fearsome predators of the sky, but like any other wild creature, they do whatever it takes to survive winter. Accordingly, they scavenge more than hunt during the cold months, biologists told Cowboy State Daily.

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2026

Katrin Glenn-Bittner got photos of a dead Tex, the only grizzly bear on Texada Island in British Columbia, that were shared on the TEX — The Texada Island Grizzly Bear Facebook page.

Death Of Grizzly Called ‘Tex’ In Canada Mirrors Controversies Over Wyoming Bears

The controversy over grizzlies in southwestern British Columbia mirrors the situation in Wyoming, as grizzlies wander into new places and run afoul of people and cattle. Such was the case with a grizzly called Tex who was killed by residents protecting their cows.

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2026

The Albany Lodge west of Laramie was an iconic destination for snowmobilers and ATV riders until it closed in June. It’s reopening under new owners, with a new name, Trailshead Lodge.

Snowmobilers Cheer: Iconic Albany Lodge West Of Laramie Reopening Under New Name

Snowmobilers were disappointed when the iconic Albany Lodge west of Laramie closed in June. But to their delight, it’s set to reopen under new ownership and a new name. “Come in for cold beer, good food and a great time,” the new owners said.

Mark HeinzFebruary 21, 2026

Limpy the coyote has become an icon in Yellowstone National Park. He’s thought to be about 8 to 9 years old, and advanced age for a coyote.

Yellowstone’s Beloved Coyote Trickster Limpy Is Starting To Show His Age

Limpy, a well-known Yellowstone National Park coyote, suckers snacks out of tourists by acting injured and needy. He’s a popular attraction, but at 8 to 9 years old, he could be nearing his end.

Mark HeinzFebruary 21, 2026

A mother black bear with two cubs went tearing across a California ski slope on Wednesday. With mild winter weather, unexpected wildlife spotting are occurring in Wyoming, California and Canada.

Bears Dash Across Ski Slope As Mild Winter Sparks Unusual Sightings

A mother black bear with two cubs went tearing across a California ski slope on Wednesday. With mild winter weather, unexpected wildlife spottings are occurring in Wyoming, California and Canada.

Mark HeinzFebruary 21, 2026

A gray wolf in Yellowstone National Park.

Two Charged In Illegal, Out-Of-Season Wolf Killing In Wyoming

Two men were charged in connection with an illegal wolf killing near Cody. The wolf was killed in a wolf hunting zone, but authorities allege it was shot without a license and out of season.

Mark HeinzFebruary 18, 2026

Rocky, a Labrador-boxer mix, escaped his harness during a walk near the mountain town of Montezuma, Colorado, on Dec. 28. He was rescued last week, having survived alone for 43 days in subzero nights and wolf territory. 

Dog Rescued After 43 Days Lost In The Colorado Rockies

Rocky, a Labrador-boxer mix, survived alone for 43 days in subzero nights in the Colorado mountains after escaping from his harness on a walk. “He’s a survivor,” said the rescuer. “He went from 50 pounds down to 26 pounds. He went against all the odds.”

Andrew RossiFebruary 18, 2026

The legendary Wyoming Range mule deer herd was starving and freezing during the brutal winter of 2022-2023. With this year’s mild winter, the deer are getting chunky.

Wyoming Mule Deer Fat And Happy Now But Biologists Say Snowfall Is Needed

Unlike the winter of 2022-2023, when mule deer were starving and dying by the thousands in Wyoming, this year the herd is looking quite healthy. “The deer are fat. They look awesome,” said avid hunter and deer conservationist Zachary Key of La Barge.

Mark HeinzFebruary 17, 2026

Boysen Reservoir in Fremont County, Wyoming, on Sunday Feb 15, 2026. Inset: Person in Darth Vader costume

Wild: Ice Cracking On Wyoming Reservoir Sounds Like A ‘Star Wars’ Laser Gunfight

About midmorning on Sunday, as the temperature crept above freezing, the ice sheet on Boysen Reservoir started making sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. Scientists say the otherworldly noises come from ice cracking under warming temperatures.

Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2026

Animal rights activists in Oregon are pushing a ballot initiative that would effectively ban hunting, fishing and ranching. Should it pass, one Oregon resident said there aren’t enough prisons in the country to hold all the “lawbreakers” it would create.

Oregon Animal Rights Activists Push To Basically Ban Hunting, Fishing, Ranching

Animal rights activists in Oregon are pushing a ballot initiative that would effectively ban hunting, fishing and ranching. Should it pass, one Oregon resident said there aren’t enough prisons in the country to hold all the “lawbreakers” it would create.

Mark HeinzFebruary 15, 2026

WolfQuest is a computer game in which people create their own wolf characters in a virtual Yellowstone National Park and try to find prey while avoiding fights with other wolves or being shot by hunters.

Hundreds Of Thousands Pretend They're Yellowstone Wolves In Online Game ‘WolfQuest’

Every day some 5,000 people worldwide are playing the online game WolfQuest. That's where you become a wolf in Yellowstone and do everything wolves do like kill elk, avoid being shot, and fight with other wolves.

Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2026

Valentine Geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park unexpectedly sprang to life again with 13 documented eruptions in 2025. It's the first eruptions for the lovingly-named geyser in 20 years.

Yellowstone's Valentine Geyser Lovingly Erupts For The First Time In 21 Years

Valentine Geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park unexpectedly sprang to life again with 13 documented eruptions in 2025. It's the first eruptions for the lovingly-named geyser in 21 years.

Andrew RossiFebruary 14, 2026

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