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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These cattle near Moorcroft don't mind as the sky darkens and snow begins to fly on Tuesday morning, blowing once again a winter cold now that the February chinooks have moved on....
After Ice fishing Wyoming Lakes ceased their winter ice fishing event a few years ago, 35-year-old Gillette resident Doug DeBoer Jr picked up the reins, saying, "We have to do something for the fishing community, it needs to be done." Making arrangements with Wyoming Game and Fish in January of last year, DeBoer was permitted for 50 guest fishermen and allowed to have the event take place on Keyhole Reservoir. This year, DeBoer again hosted the now-named Just Slayin' Outdoors Icefest on January...
Driving through Texas Trails Subdivision after the frigid weekend, every driveway is free of snow thanks to the diligence of volunteers - neighbor taking care of neighbor, even at 25 below. After several days of snow, a deep cold set in and the National Weather Service recorded a wind chill low of -51 degrees F east of Pine Haven early on Monday morning....
Pine Haven's deer population is showing signs of illness this winter with the discovery of a yearling that had lain down and could no longer rise due to as as-yet unconfirmed malady. This forced Game Warden Mitchell Kern to put the animal out of its misery. A young buck in the same circumstances was later found by Public Works Director Sunny Schell. In a recent report given to council, Schell said, "[Kern] said to keep an eye out for dead deer around town for the next couple of months." With...
Grasses sparkle in their icy attire as the morning sun comes calling south of Pine Haven last week....
With the recent snowfall across the Black Hills National Forest, Ranger Districts will be focusing efforts on burning thousands of hand and machine slash piles. Piles are created from timber sale slash and tree thinning operations. Piles are only ignited when managers are confident that the project can be undertaken safely with considerations to snow cover, wind, temperature, available staffing and smoke dispersal. Public and firefighter safety is always the number-one priority in all burning operations. Firefighters continually monitor and...
Last week saw roads closed and fog, snow and wind that affected visibility and forced school closures, with no unnecessary travel for a number of days. There are always the diehards, though; intrepid adventurers who greet the first signs of a storm's end with gusto and a toboggan. They travel to the school yard hill to feel the bitter breeze on their cheeks as they glide their sleds down the drifts before climbing to do it all again. These youngsters head home as afternoon temperatures begin to...
Due to an impending winter storm, staff began closing seasonal gates and recreation sites that are not open through the winter on the Black Hills National Forest, Mon., Dec. 12, ahead of the regularly scheduled Dec. 15 date. Gates are closed to provide a seasonal refuge for wildlife, protect road and trail surfaces and other resources, and provide for public safety as some of the roads are converted into part of the snowmobile trail system. Seasonally closed roads and trails are identified on the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). Black...
The Bureau of Land Management Newcastle Field Office has announced plans to burn slash piles this winter on BLM-administered lands in Crook and Weston counties. Burning may continue as conditions permit through April 2023. In Crook County, BLM will burn approximately 700 acres of slash piles in the Moore Canyon, Proctor, Jackpot, and Goldie Divide project areas. All prescribed burn projects are conducted in accordance with approved burn plans and burning is contingent on fuel moisture and weather meeting appropriate treatment condition on...
Wyoming Game & Fish (WGF) has announced that the watercraft check station at Coulter Bay has been closed for the season to allow recreationists to enjoy Keyhole Reservoir for its more winter-based activity: ice fishing. Regulations came into effect a couple of months ago to protect Keyhole Reservoir from the growing threat of invasive zebra mussels, which had been documented at Pactola Reservoir in South Dakota in July. This was considered concerning as it was the first time zebra mussels had be...
Despite the low clouds and rather bitter weather, this intrepid fellow and his faithful dog are setting up for a day of ice fishing on Tuesday morning. This is on the far north side of Keyhole Reservoir and a bit beyond the fun can be seen pressure cracks in the ice; these are weak areas and are extremely unsafe. This adventurer is wise to have left his vehicle on land....
This is the time of year to celebrate old and new traditions with family and friends, like venturing into your favorite national forest to harvest your own Christmas tree. Black Hills National Forest Christmas tree permits are now available for purchase either online at Recreation.gov, from your local Forest Service office or from private vendors throughout the Black Hills. To purchase a permit online, visit Recreation.gov and search for Black Hills National Forest Christmas Tree Permit. It is important to carefully read the overview and...
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has discontinued sales of Type 7 licenses in Deer Hunt Areas 1, 2 and 3 in the northern Black Hills. These hunt areas in northeastern Wyoming have experienced a second consecutive year of an epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus outbreak, resulting in higher-than-expected deer mortality. Despite the die-off last year, there were still many parts of the Black Hills with high concentrations of deer on private lands, which is why Game and Fish continued to issue these licenses. However, given this current...
Boat ramp and aquatic invasive species inspection hours at both Glendo and Keyhole state parks are adjusting to accommodate the waning sunlight hours. Beginning Mon., Oct. 24, boat ramp use and AIS inspection hours will be limited to sunrise to sunset. Boaters can check the Keyhole and Glendo sunrise/sunset tables for time references. Ramp restrictions — and the requirement for an aquatic invasive species inspection before launching — are due to the threat of zebra mussels from Pactola Reservoir in South Dakota spreading to Wyo...
Passing this quiet unassuming vehicle and the protective tree nearby on Riley Avenue, in Moorcroft, one can almost hear the gleeful chuckles as the leaves flutter innocently before all is still again. Happy fall!...
The North Eastern Wyoming Walleye Association (NEWWA) annual Fall Classic Fishing Derby on the waters of the Keyhole Reservoir entertained 121 fishermen of all ages in 44 boats Saturday and Sunday, eight of whom were between three and 17 years. Event organizer Kelly Lang said of the weekend, "Good turn-out for hunting season and the weather was great. The fishing was slow but the tournament went well." First place for Big Fish Standing on Saturday went to Al/Eric Tobin and Corey Heymeyer with...
Crook County's two new game wardens introduced themselves to the county commissioners last week and provided information on the rights of citizens if they find themselves face to face with a dangerous predator. Nate Holst has joined the Wyoming Game & Fish department (WGF) as the Sundance Game Warden, while Mitchell Kern will be his counterpart in Moorcroft. The two men asked to be added to October's agenda after receiving a letter from the commission requesting a more proactive approach to...
Two popular Wyoming boating locations are changing their protocols for watercraft inspections to protect waters from zebra mussels, an aquatic invasive species. These changes, instituted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, will begin Oct. 5. At both Keyhole and Glendo state parks, all watercraft will be inspected at the boat ramp before launching. Inspection hours will be 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Use of the boat ramp is restricted to 7...
According to the National Wildlife Federation, "Bees pollinate a staggering 80% of all flowering plants, including approximately 75% of the fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the United States." "I really enjoy them. I think they're fascinating," long-time beekeeper and lifetime Crook County resident Renee Brunson says, explaining why she has stayed with beekeeping for the last several years. She farms hybrid Italian/Carnolian bees, because "Italians are a lot gentler and they produce more...
With invasive zebra mussels now known to be present nearby, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGF) has developed a rapid response plan specific to Wyoming water bodies including Keyhole Reservoir. Meanwhile, watercraft owners have been reminded to clean, drain and dry their boats before moving between bodies of water and are asked to ensure they follow all the regulations for AIS inspections. According to Game & Fish, invasive zebra and quagga mussels have not yet been found in Wyoming. However, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and...
Fire season has already brought significant damage to Crook County, with the Fish Wildfire responsible for devouring thousands of acres. This has brought the welfare of residents and property to the fore with fire department and council in neighboring communities, Moorcroft and Pine Haven. Moorcroft While Moorcroft has not previously mandated an absolute fire ban, adhering to an ordinance allowing open flames under specific conditions. After discussion with Moorcroft Volunteer Fire Department Ch...
Crook County has joined the call for the U.S. Forest Service to rethink its draft assessments for the revised Black Hills National Forest Plan. A comment letter submitted by the county commissioners touts "significant concerns" with the science used to create the drafts, and with the level of public input solicited so far. "I think we probably have some of the most comprehensive comments that will be submitted," commented Dru Palmer of Dru Consulting, who prepared the 21-page letter on behalf of...
The threat of zebra and quagga mussels to Wyoming’s waters is closer than ever before. Last week, zebra mussels were discovered in Pactola Reservoir, located 13 miles west of Rapid City, South Dakota, in the Black Hills. The reservoir is only 27 miles from the Wyoming border and is a popular boating destination for Wyoming and South Dakota residents. The westward expansion of invasive mussels is significant as Wyoming remains one of the few states yet to have the destructive species. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is concerned about t...
A full burn ban will be in effect across the county beginning July 22. Fire Warden Doug Leis sought the blessing of the Crook County Commissioners last week to implement the restrictions, anticipating that what started as a moisture-filled summer may turn more dangerous in the coming weeks. "Everybody has been really enjoying this nice, green grass – and a lot of it – but it's just going to be a lot more to burn when it dries out," Leis explains. After a long period of drought, this will cha...
With campgrounds filled to capacity and boats decorating the water like bright marbles beneath the setting sun, Saturday evening saw hundreds more guests enter Keyhole State Park's Coulter Bay with families setting up chairs and coolers before the sun slowly departed the day's sky. Firefighters and EMS volunteers stood at the park entrance to offer comments, smiles and a boot for donations; this is the department's largest fundraiser of the year and the moneys collected will provide much needed...
