Outdoors

Gerald Crist of Greybull, Wyoming, has a staredown with a penguin at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

The 'Greybull Mafia' Who Kept Antarctica Research Station Running

The town of Greybull sent a disproportionately large number of workers to Antarctica in the '80s and '90s to keep the McMurdo Station research outpost running. Called the 'Greybull Mafia,' years on the ice at minus 80 forged friendships and even marriages.

Wendy CorrNovember 23, 2025

Researchers claim that wolves pulling on lines to steal bait from underwater crab traps is proof that they’re “using tools.” But some wolf experts dispute that idea.

Researchers Say Wolves Are Smart Enough To Use Tools

Wolves have been stealing bait from underwater crab traps in British Columbia which some researchers claim amounts to “tool use." Some Rocky Mountain wolf experts say it’s impressive behavior, but a stretch to call it that.

Mark HeinzNovember 23, 2025

Big game carcasses are butchered at Yellowstone Wild Game Processing near Bozeman, Montana.

Fewer Wyoming Wild Game Butchers Struggle To Keep Up With Hunter Demand

Butcher shops that will process hunters’ wild game meat are getting fewer and farther between in Wyoming. That means this time of year the ones left are doing a booming business — and struggling to keep up with hunter demand.

Mark HeinzNovember 22, 2025

Harriet Hageman says California has neglected its water infrastructure while demanding more Colorado River water from Wyoming. She says it and other Lower Basin states need to get in gear with that before going after more from Upper Basin states.

Hageman Says California Needs To Get In Gear, Stop Going After Wyoming’s Water

Harriet Hageman says California has neglected its water infrastructure while demanding more Colorado River water from Wyoming. She says California and other Lower Basin states need to get in gear with that before going after more from Upper Basin states.

Mark HeinzNovember 22, 2025

A rancher runs a herd of horses in northeast Wyoming.

Wyoming Horses Have Been Exposed To Outbreak Of Deadly Equine Virus

Several cases of a potentially deadly equine virus have been confirmed in four states this week, including one in Colorado. That horse also was in Cheyenne, Casper, and Wheatland, which means Wyoming horses have been exposed to equine herpesvirus.

Andrew RossiNovember 21, 2025

A growing program pairs generous hunters who donate their kills to veterans no longer able to hunt for themselves. Hunters like Biran Monahan, inset, say it's gratifying to show appreciation for veterans like Joe Rose, pictured, who's no longer physically able to hunt big game.

Hunters, Game Processors Partner For Veterans Who Can’t Hunt Big Game Anymore

A growing program has hunters and game processors partnering to get fresh game meat to military veterans who can't hunt big game anymore. The effort started in Missouri and wants to expand into states like Wyoming and Montana.

Mark HeinzNovember 21, 2025

One of the wolves brought into Colorado from British Columbia in January and released in Colorado was killed in Wyoming on Friday. It had killed five sheep in north-central Wyoming, wildlife officials report.

Canada, Oregon And Now Washington Won't Send More Wolves To Colorado

Colorado’s wolf reintroduction program may have hit a wall. It probably can’t get any more wolves from Canada, Oregon has said no more, and now Washington state is also refusing to send more wolves for the program.

Mark HeinzNovember 19, 2025

Story Man Narrowly Avoids Being Wiped Out By Rutting White-Tailed Deer

Story resident Brad Jones had to duck behind his pickup after the rutting white-tailed deer he was watching took their fight to him Sunday. Late fall is rutting season for Wyoming's deer, which makes them more reckless and dangerous.

Andrew RossiNovember 19, 2025

Wildlife experts say a man was foolish and inconsiderate to press within a few yards of a group of juvenile wolves in Yellowstone National Park. On a video of the incident, onlookers remark that, "This could end very badly for that guy."

Dimwitted Man Taunts Yellowstone Wolves: 'This Could End Really Badly For That Guy'

Wildlife experts say a man was foolish and inconsiderate to press within a few yards of a group of juvenile wolves in Yellowstone. On a video of the incident, onlookers remark that, "This could end really badly for that guy."

Mark HeinzNovember 19, 2025

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service game warden inspects the carcass of Slingshot, a famous mule deer buck at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

Slingshot, Colorado’s Famed Giant Mule Deer, Dies After Brutal Buck Fight

Slingshot, a massive and beloved mule deer at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal refuge near Denver, died Sunday after likely being gored by another buck during the rut. Wildlife fans are mourning the popular deer known for his gigantic antlers.

Mark HeinzNovember 18, 2025

Mitchell Wolfe found this bull elk Saturday morning near a roadside south of Rock Springs. The bull was utterly exhausted, after being tangled in a barbed wire fence for hours.

Wyoming Hunter Saves Elk Tangled In Barbed Wire From A Slow, Miserable Death

A Wyoming oil field worker said his heart sank Saturday when he saw an exhausted bull elk trapped in a barbed wire fence facing a slow, miserable death. He untangled the elk, praying it would survive. It did.

Mark HeinzNovember 17, 2025

These two horses have been missing somewhere north of Moran since Oct. 27, the Teton County Sheriff's Office reports.

Thermal Drone Could Help Find Horses Missing Three Weeks In Wyoming Backcountry

Two horses have been missing north of Moran in Wyoming’s backcountry since late October. While a search for the pack animals continues, a thermal imaging drone pilot from Idaho is ready to help find them if called.

David MadisonNovember 17, 2025

Interpretive Ranger Jessica Moore wanted visitors to have unique experiences at Sinks Canyon State Park, so she helped spearhead a program that takes visitors underground in a network of caves that lead to an underground river. An average of 20 people a month can explore the caverns and experience a place that few people will ever see.

There's A Whole Other World To Explore Under Wyoming's Sinks Canyon State Park

Sinks Canyon State Park is famous for its "disappearing river," but that's not all there is to see at the Fremont County destination. A series of caves offer a whole other world to explore underneath Sinks Canyon — for the lucky few allowed in.

Jackie DorothyNovember 16, 2025

A new fitness craze has made it to Wyoming. Riculous Bungee Fitness has recently opened its doors in Laramie. While on the surface, the fad looks ridiculous, it's actually a smart way to workout, because it eases stress on joints.

I Tried Ridiculous Bungee Fitness, And It Wasn’t As Ridiculous As I Thought

Fat bodies flying through the air, attached to a bungee cord. Sounds like a perfect Saturday Night Live skit. But the TikTok trend has just shown up in Wyoming, and fans say it’s a ridiculously smart way to workout.

Renée JeanNovember 16, 2025

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

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

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'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

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