The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
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Cook Lake is once again open for recreation, but the dam project is not quite finished yet. Delays due to weather mean that the site will likely close again in the spring to wrap up construction, says District Ranger Mike Gosse. “The Cook Lake project is done for this year, but not completely finished yet. The wintery weather we had in October caused delays in getting the project 100 percent finished,” he says. “The Bureau of Reclamation crew did a great job in working through some tough conditions and did get the project 85 to 90 perce...
A 73-year-old hunter from Riverton got turned around in what he’d thought was a familiar part of Boundary Gulch last week. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Crook County Sheriff’s Office and Crook County Volunteer Search & Rescue, he was rescued and brought to safety. When the hunter was finally located on November 19, he had managed to travel five miles from his starting point through treacherous terrain. The hunter knew the area, having been to Crook County a number of times before. It was, in fact, his level of familiarity with the spe...
Two state agencies have committed a combined $2.5 million toward installing wildlife underpasses along US 189 in southwest Wyoming to help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve safety. The Wyoming Transportation Commission recently approved a $1.25 million match of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s $1.25 million contribution, which will be used toward the Dry Piney wildlife crossing project north of La Barge. “We are committed to ensuring the state’s roads are as safe as possible for the traveling public,” said WYDOT Chief E...
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is offering its game warden exam online for individuals interested in applying to be a game warden in Wyoming. The deadline to apply for the exam is Dec. 2, 2019. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree, or receive their degree by April 1, 2020, in wildlife management, range management, biology, zoology, ichthyology or other closely related field. Applicants who pass the exam and other minimum qualifications may be offered an online interview. Selected candidates from the o...
The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is issuing an advisory for Keyhole Reservoir due to a harmful cyanobacterial bloom (HCB). This advisory is for the section of the reservoir near where Wind Creek intersects with Hwy. 113/Old Sundance Road only. HCBs, previously referred to as harmful algal blooms or HABs, are associated with irritants and can produce a number of toxins that may pose a risk to people, pet and livestock health. In the event of an elevated risk or occurrence for toxin production by cyanobacteria, the WDH issues a recreational...
Wyoming elk hunters in brucellosis monitoring areas are urged to submit blood samples and other information about elk they harvest. As a thank you, hunters will be entered into a raffle to win high-quality outdoor equipment. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department established the brucellosis raffle to encourage hunters to continue to submit samples. Leading outdoor manufacturers and conservation organizations have donated equipment to the raffle to support brucellosis monitoring. Raffle prizes include: • Ruger American Predator rifle in 6.5 Creedm...
Set your #fieldgoals with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for the fall. Game and Fish is celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 28 at the University of Wyoming Cowboys football game against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Festivities will begin at 3 p.m. at the Pepsi Pregame Zone in the Indoor Practice Facility. Celebrated annually on the fourth Saturday of September since 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day has been recognized in all 50 states to teach about conservation and celebrate the outdoors. “Cowboys fans, h...
Fair week was a huge success this year, with plenty of participants in every event. From dog showmanship to the youth stock rodeo, the beef show to the static exhibition, the hard work of Crook County’s youth was celebrated throughout the week and the fairgrounds were packed with both animal and human participants....
Although summer took its time to arrive, it seems to be flying by at a rapid pace. Weeds grew thick and fast, and with the abundant moisture they continue to do so. Leafy spurge is having a great year of growth around the county, as well as all species of thistles but most notably Scotch thistle. Grasshoppers and Mormon crickets seem to be prevalent in many places throughout the county, but the consistent rains seem to be keeping them at bay. The district has kept very busy both in the office...
Fair Week kicked off on Sunday with the horse show at the arena, as kids spent two days displaying their prowess with horsemanship, reining, ranch riding and much more. The fair officially kicked off the next day with an ice cream social in the shade structure, shortly before the ranch horse competition. Events still to come include the dairy cattle and goat show on Thursday at 8 a.m., followed by the goat and sheep show at 9 a.m. and the cat show at 3 p.m. Thursday evening will be marked by the...
Joe Graham and Gerald McInerney celebrated their induction into the Region 1 Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame, Class of 2019 on Saturday evening. A large, festive crowd of friends, family and well-wishers enlivened the All-Purpose Building on Weston County Fairgrounds Saturday evening July 20 to celebrate the Region 1 induction of the five new Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame (WCHF) honorees for this year. WCHF’s Region 1 encompasses Crook, Campbell and Weston counties. The five talented members of Kenny...
District Ranger Mike Gosse provided an update on current Forest Service activities to the county commissioners last week, beginning with the Cook Lake dam project that began on Monday. The new concrete dam that is to be installed will withstand a 200-year flood event, he said, which is a definite improvement on the old, failing dam that has been in place for 60 years. When questioned as to the stability of the site – bearing in mind that one of the largest landslides in the county is hanging over the lake – Gosse nodded that the west side of...
Brightly colored in their regalia, kids were riding horses of all sizes at the Moorcroft arena Friday night for the third annual youth rodeo. The event consisted of barrel racing, pole bending, goat roping and break away with youngsters categorized by age. Parents and grandparents alike cheered the youngsters on as they worked on their performance and time. The one thing each one demonstrated as they and their mounts conquered a barrel or lassoed a calf was the grit for which this area is...
4-H Summer Camp is a much anticipated event for youth in Crook and Weston Counties and this year was no exception. Over 100 youth and adult volunteers flocked to the RAM Center near Devils Tower Junction for the annual Crook-Weston County 4-H Camp. Thirty teen leaders helped the campers solve the mystery of “the stolen 4-H flag” throughout the weekend. 4-H Summer Camp began with a leadership training for teen leaders who serve as camp counselors. The group of 30 outstanding teens par...
Pine Haven sits in a beautiful wooded area in a horseshoe of land on the south shore of Keyhole State Park and Reservoir and because of the town’s location; wild fires are always a very real concern. While the first responders are valiant in their defense of the town and surrounding area, the Pine Haven Volunteer Fire Department is not equipped with the manpower to manage a catastrophic possibility so they tend to implement preventive methods of protection as much as possible. Several years a...
Earlier this month, the 307 Northeast Show Clinic series welcomed over 50 4-H and FFA members from the northeast area of Wyoming as well as participants from South Dakota into Sundance. The 307 Show Clinic, a partnership between the Crook and Weston County 4-H programs, along with local show industry experts, teaches participants all about showing, fitting, feeding, and care of their animal projects. Generous donations from local businesses helped to keep the cost low for attendees and...
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department comment period is still open for public input on many Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regulations. The deadline to submit comments is 5 p.m. June 17. Written comments shall be presented to the Game and Fish Commission prior to the public hearing at their July 18-19, 2019 meeting in Rock Springs. Individuals can also provide comments directly to the Commission at their July meeting. Chapter 44, the regulation for Issuance of Licenses, Permits, Stamps, Tags, Preference Points and Competitive Raffle Chances...
A western adventure and certainly a challenge, the Wyoming Cutt-Slam is one of the most sought-after achievements for a trout angler. As the summer begins, and the rivers are flowing clear, it’s a good time to pursue native trout. The Cutt-Slam challenges anglers to catch Wyoming’s four subspecies of cutthroats — Bonneville, Colorado River, Snake River and Yellowstone — in their respective native range. “For trout enthusiasts, it is more than catching fish,” said Alan Osterland, Wyoming Game and Fish Department chief of fisheries. “The Cutt-S...
Join the Audubon Society and aid in the banding of birds at Keyhole State Park, June 6, 15 and 27 just below the dam adjacent to the Rocky Point Campground. The operation begins at 6 a.m. and continues until approximately noon, or whenever the temperature rises to a level that may stress the birds. Volunteers are asked to help remove birds from nets, band birds, record information and help release them safely back into the wild. All ages are welcome. Volunteers are encouraged to come prepared for the weather including sun screen and drinking...
An annual voluntary closure for rock climbing at Devils Tower will be in effect through the month of June. June 1-30, visitors are strongly encouraged to refrain from climbing on the Tower out of respect for the spiritual and cultural significance of the Tower. The closure zone includes all areas inside the loop of the Tower Trail. This voluntary closure was an agreement reached during the development of the monument’s Climbing Management Plan by a work group that included representatives from climbing organizations and American Indian t...
Devils Tower National Monument and the Devils Tower Natural History Association present a spectacular family fun summer! Ranger evening programs occur Sunday through Thursday, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Special guest performances Friday and Saturday evenings round out the 2019 summer evening programs. All programs begin at 8:30 p.m. in the amphitheater across from the picnic area. June 7 and 8: Indiana Bones, “Keeper of Legends,” is an Emmy award-winning writer, producer and performing artist. Indy thrills and educates audiences wit...
Due to the recent snow storm and slippery conditions, the Forest Moon Walk scheduled for May 25 has been re-scheduled to June 1. Join the Black Hills National Forest on Saturday, June 1 at 7 p.m. for a moonlit hike and to learn about the history of Smokey Bear and the celebration of his 75th birthday. Participants will walk approximately one mile (roundtrip) over uneven terrain in the central Black Hills in an old wildfire burned area and a recent prescribed fire area. South Dakota Wildland Fire Director, Jay Esperance will lead the walk, and...
Around 115 fifth graders from Hulett, Sundance and Moorcroft schools attended the second annual North East Wyoming Walleye Association (NEWWA)’s fishing education day last Tuesday. There is reason Crook County fifth graders were chosen for the annual event, according to event coordinator Jason Otto. “We talked to the schools and the fifth graders don’t seem to get a whole lot of field trips so we figured ‘that’s great, let’s do that!” he says. “We really enjoy it and the kids have a blast....
Youth age 0 through high school are invited to the fifth annual WSG Hulett Youth Field Day Saturday, June 1 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Highway 24 one-half mile from Hulett. The event is free and is open to the first 125 youth who register. Lunch is included and there will be prizes for all youth who attend. This year the event will feature a fishing derby with a prize for the largest fish, 3-D archery shoot and safety training, fur and antler identification, outdoor first aid education, fishing lure making program, shooting sports, turkey...
In conjunction with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s “Free Fishing Day”, on June 1, daily use fees are waived at all parks/recreation areas that provide angling. Wyo. Parks locations offering free entrance are Boysen, Buffalo Bill, Curt Gowdy, Edness K. Wilkins, Fort Phil Kearny, Glendo, Guernsey, Keyhole, Seminoe and Hawk Springs. Camping fees are not waived. Fishing opportunities also exist at the following sites, which offer free entrance year-round; Bear River, Hot Springs, Medicine Lodge and Sinks Canyon. Free Fishing Day is offer...
