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Wyoming Game and Fish shelled out nearly $1 million to compensate ranchers for livestock killed by grizzly bears in 2025. That’s nearly double the agency’s animal-damage budget. Whether delisting grizzlies and would help is up for debate.

Grizzlies Killing Livestock Cost Wyoming Nearly $1M, Blows Budget Out Of Water

Wyoming Game and Fish shelled out nearly $1 million to compensate ranchers for livestock killed by grizzly bears in 2025. That’s nearly double the agency’s animal-damage budget. Whether delisting grizzlies and would help is up for debate.

Mark HeinzSeptember 17, 2026

Mix Collage 17 Sep 2026 11 07 AM 8381

Estes Park Bull Elk Struts Around Town With Rival Elk’s Antler Stuck In His Neck

A bull elk in Estes Park, Colorado, has been strutting around town with an antler stuck in its neck after a fight during rutting season. Elk sometimes get their antler racks entangled in a fight, but one ecologist said he's "never seen anything like that."

Mark HeinzSeptember 17, 2026

Searchers are looking for a 13-year-old Montana boy named Ephraim who fell into the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River north of the Wyoming border on Wednesday afternoon. Crews from nearly a dozen agencies were continuing the search Thursday.

Missing 13-Year-Old Montana Boy's Body Found In Clarks Fork River

Searchers found the body of a 13-year-old Montana boy named Ephraim who fell into the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River just north of the Wyoming border on Wednesday afternoon. Crews from nearly a dozen agencies searched for him Thursday.

Emma Jane JacksonSeptember 17, 2026

This young black bear showed up on Mark Potter’s property in the Wind River Canyon. He doesn’t think it is the same bear that was later struck and killed on the highway going through the canyon.

Bear Hit And Killed In Wind River Canyon Has Residents Afraid For Other Local Bears

Residents in the Wind River Canyon between Shoshoni and Thermopolis were saddened that a young black bear was hit and killed on the highway earlier this week. They say it makes them afraid for at least two other black bears in the area.

Mark HeinzSeptember 17, 2026

Human remains were found near a Colorado River rapid on Monday, more than two weeks after a flash flood in the Grand Canyon left Wyoming’s Timothy Smith missing. “We ask that you continue to pray alongside us,” his wife wrote Tuesday on Facebook.

Human Remains Found In Grand Canyon Yet To Be Identified As Wyoming Family Waits

Human remains were found near a Colorado River rapid on Monday, more than two weeks after a flash flood in the Grand Canyon left Wyoming’s Timothy Smith missing. “We ask that you continue to pray alongside us,” his wife wrote Tuesday.

Kolby FedoreSeptember 15, 2026

The Mollie’s Pack is Yellowstone's oldest wolf pack and includes the famous Wolf 1090F. The pack is safe, for now, after returning to Yellowstone National Park just before the start of Wyoming's hunting season Tuesday.

Just As Wyoming Wolf Season Begins, Famous Mollie's Pack Returns To Yellowstone

The famous Mollie’s wolf pack is safe, for now, after returning to Yellowstone National Park just before the start of Wyoming's hunting season Tuesday. But hunters are hopeful they will stray back out of the park before hunting season closes in December.

Mark HeinzSeptember 15, 2026

“What will happen in Sheridan this winter is likely going to be different than what happens in Laramie and Cheyenne," Meteorologist Don Day said.

Don Day's Winter Forecast For Wyoming: More Snow In The South, Dry In The North

Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day says El Niño will dominate the next nine months, likely bringing a lot of moisture and less wind to southern Wyoming. Meanwhile, northern Wyoming might have to endure "two bad years" of snowpack in a row. 

Andrew RossiSeptember 15, 2026

Snow, one of Yellowstone’s favorite grizzlies, appears to have been piling on the pounds. One of her fans described her as “bootylicous.”

Yellowstone's Famous Grizzly Snow Gets A Motorcade Escort On Dark Highway

Fans of the famous Yellowstone grizzly Snow gave her a motorcade escort Sunday to save her from being hit on a highway on the park's east side. Snow ambled behind and in front of flashing hazard lights for roughly a mile before heading into the woods.

Mark HeinzSeptember 15, 2026

Yellowstone National Park's staff recovered more than 20,000 pieces of trash from thermal basins this summer.

20,000 Pieces of Trash Recovered From Yellowstone Geothermal Areas This Summer

Yellowstone National Park's staff recovered more than 20,000 pieces of trash from thermal basins this summer. Among the items were AirPods, Polaroid pictures, Pokémon cards, a single snowshoe, and over 280 hats that will be donated to local organizations. 

Andrew RossiSeptember 14, 2026

Game fish mike schmid 9 14 26

Former Commissioner: Game and Fish Caused Its Own Financial Woes by Overspending

Former Game and Fish commissioner Mike Schmid said the organization's looming financial crisis could be because of unnecessary spending and he's skeptical of a trust fund. “I think there was some self-inflicted pain there,” Schmid said.

Mark HeinzSeptember 14, 2026

Big Horn County Search and Rescue Director Jeff Schmidt and Custer County Search and Rescue's second longest-serving acting member Jim “Buzz” Laverick, met at Saturday's awards ceremony in Temecula, California.

Overextended Big Horn County Search & Rescue Team Wins Much-Needed New Vehicle, $30K

Big Horn County Search and Rescue won a new emergency vehicle and $30,000 on Saturday, a prize volunteers say they need after rescue calls have quadrupled and county funding was cut almost in half. It is second only to Teton County in emergency calls.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 14, 2026

The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota. New research has revealed that the site, which preserved 61 intact mammoth skeletons, is between 160,000 and 232,000 years old — much older than previously thought.

Deadly South Dakota Sinkhole And Its 61 Intact Mammoth Skeletons Is Older Than Thought

The world-famous Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota, is older than scientists believed. A new scientific study revealed that the ancient sinkhole, containing dozens of intact mammoth skeletons, is between 160,000 and 232,000 years old.

Andrew RossiSeptember 13, 2026

A study by a Colorado company shows that people who are willing to poop in plastic bags and pack it out of the wilderness are also willing to pay for the privilege. They’ll buy the bags at trailheads to maintain a “leave no trace” footprint.

Study: People Who Pack Their Poop Out Of Nature Will Also Pay For The Privilege

A study by a Colorado company shows that people who are willing to poop in plastic bags and pack it out of the wilderness are also willing to pay for the privilege. They’ll buy the bags at trailheads to maintain a “leave-no-trace” footprint.

Andrew RossiSeptember 13, 2026

Left, Boo the bull elk is shown here in his prime, circa 2016, sporting an impressive set of antlers. Right, now nearly age 18, he no longer grows antlers and has lived several years longer than bull elk typically survive in the wild.

Popular Elk Named Boo At Bear River State Park Is So Old He Stopped Growing Antlers

Boo, a popular bull elk at Bear River State Park near Evanston, Wyoming, has grown so old at age 18 that he no longer grows antlers. Bull elk in the wild rarely live past 12 and almost never long enough to hit the antlerless stage.

Mark HeinzSeptember 13, 2026

A tour inside Hell’s Half Acre reveals an otherwordly labyrinth of stone, an alien landscape shaped by millions of years of wind and water. It's a rare perspective of the sharp canyons because the public generally isn't allowed on the valley floor.

What It’s Like Inside The Fragile Maze Of Hell’s Half Acre, Wyoming’s Alien Canyon

A tour inside Hell’s Half Acre reveals an otherwordly labyrinth of stone, an alien landscape shaped by millions of years of wind and water. It's a rare perspective of the sharp canyons because the public generally isn't allowed on the valley floor.

Renée JeanSeptember 13, 2026

Jonathan Bailey is greeted with a hug at airport in Pinedale on Friday after being rescued after wandering for a week in the Wind River Range.

Rescued! Hiker And Dog Missing For Week In Wind River Range Reunited With Family

An Idaho hiker and his dog were reunited with family Friday afternoon after being missing in the Wind River Range for a week. Jonathan Bailey and his yellow Labrador retriever Wrigley had been separated from their group in the Bridger Wilderness.

Jen KocherSeptember 11, 2026

Cam Sholly, pictured here in front of Elk Peak in Yellowstone National Park, is ending his nearly 8-year run as the park’s superintendent.

Cam Sholly Leaving As Yellowstone National Park Superintendent After 8-Year Run

Cam Sholly is stepping down as Yellowstone National Park superintendent after eight years that included dealing with COVID-19, massive flooding and record crowds. He said his departure has nothing to do with a rumored conflict with the administration.

Mark HeinzSeptember 11, 2026

Smoke rises southwest of Wheatland, Wyoming, as the Moonshine Fire burns in rugged and remote terrain in northern Albany County.

‘All We Can Do Is Pray And Hope’ Say Ranchers In Path Of Fast-Growing 'Moonshine Fire'

Ranchers in the path of the fast-growing "Moonshine Fire" that, as of Friday afternoon, has churned through more than 5,600 acres of land about southwest of Wheatland are more than worried. ‘All we can do is pray and hope,’ said one lifetime area rancher.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 11, 2026

Legislators and Wyoming Game and Fish Department top brass said Thursday that meetings to discuss the agency's funding weren't the place to bring up Angi Bruce's departure as director. Some cited "personnel matters" for not talking publicly about Bruce.

Lawmakers: Game And Fish Commission Meeting Not Place To Ask About Departed Director

Legislators and Wyoming Game and Fish Department top brass said Thursday that meetings to discuss the agency's funding weren't the place to bring up Angi Bruce's departure as director. Some cited "personnel matters" for not talking publicly about Bruce.

Mark HeinzSeptember 11, 2026

Page and Keith Mamot found this 2-year-old black bear in their second home near Driggs, Idaho. The bear was shot and killed soon after by sheriff’s deputies under a zero-tolerance policy related to occupied structures.

Casper Couple Saddened By Bear Killed For Entering Their Second Home In Idaho

A Casper couple said they’re saddened because a black bear that broke into their second home near Driggs, Idaho, was killed under a zero-tolerance policy for bears that enter occupied structures. “He wasn’t mean or aggressive,” Page Mamot said.

Mark HeinzSeptember 10, 2026

Angler trout fishing in the Snake River

Wildlife Groups Applaud Trust Fund As Way To Save Game and Fish From Budget Crisis

With Wyoming Game and Fish facing what its interim director calls a “dire” looming budget shortfall, wildlife groups say a trust fund proposed by a legislative committee has a "juggernaut of support." "God, I hope we dream big," one advocate said.

Mark HeinzSeptember 10, 2026

A group poses next to a larger-than-life bronze sculpture of Grizzly 399 at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson on Wednesday evening.

Huge Crowd At Dedication For Gigantic Grizzly 399 Sculpture At Jackson Museum

A huge crowd of Grizzly 399 fans gathered Wednesday for the dedication of a gigantic sculpture of the world’s most famous bear at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. "Against All Odds: Grizzly 399” also features the four cubs she had in 2020.

Andrew RossiSeptember 10, 2026

Wyoming Game and Fish Game and Fish Interim Director Eric Wiltanger, Game and Fish CFO Meredith Wood, and Game and Fish Commissioner Rusty Bell speak with legislators Wednesday in Jackson.

Game And Fish Facing ‘Dire’ Financial Trouble, Interim Director Tells Lawmakers

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department budget could hit crisis level within the next few years due to inflation and a decline in deer tags, the agency’s interim director told lawmakers Wednesday. “We’re not dire right now, but we’re going to be,” he said.

Mark HeinzSeptember 10, 2026

Fresh off her U.S. House primary loss, Jillian Balow trekked her 5-foot-1-inch frame over fallen trees and into a lodgepole pine basin, rested her compound bow against a tree and waited. There, she had to really learn "what stillness is."

For Post-Election Therapy, Jillian Balow Went Bow Hunting And Bagged An Elk

Fresh off her U.S. House primary loss, Jillian Balow trekked her 5-foot-1-inch frame over fallen trees and into a lodgepole pine basin, rested her compound bow against a tree and waited. There, she had to really learn "what stillness is."

Clair McFarlandSeptember 09, 2026

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