Wyoming

Hungry Bears In Florida And Wyoming

Published

8 months ago

May 13, 2025

In Wyoming state, a grizzly bear was captured and moved in association with management efforts regarding cattle depredation. We have no grizzly bears in New York.
Photo provided by Hunting Wire

In Florida, a rare and tragic case for the black bear species occurred on May 2.

An 89-year-old man, Robert Markel, and his dog were attacked in his camping trailer near the village of Jerome. The attack resulted in the death of both the man and the dog. The Florida Fish and Wildlife investigators said that DNA testing confirmed that one of the bears that were euthanized in the area did participate in the attack, as partial remains of Markel were recovered in a 262-pound bear.

Jerome is near the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area of southwest Florida. The incident has raised concerns about human-bear interactions in Florida, though dangerous black bear encounters in Florida are rare.

In response, FWC officials emphasize the importance of securing trash, food, and pets in bear-inhabited areas to prevent future incidents. Florida’s black bear population has grown to over 4,000 since the 1970s. The FWC continues to investigate this rare and tragic event. There is currently no black bear hunting season in Florida; the last regulated hunt was in 2015, when 304 bears were harvested. The FWC is considering a limited bear hunt through a lottery system, with details in the planning stage.

Out west in Wyoming, a grizzly bear was captured in association with successful cattle depredation management efforts. This bear was not the bear responsible for depredation. In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Shoshone National Forest, also on May 2, the grizzly bear was relocated to the Ghost Creek drainage approximately 60 miles northwest of Cody.

In Wyoming, Grizzly bears are protected under state and federal regulations, which reflect their status as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). According to the “Hunting Wire,” grizzly bear relocation is a large carnivore management tool biologists can use to minimize conflicts between humans and grizzly bears. Bears that are considered a threat to human safety are not relocated. Sometimes, a bear may be removed from the population, euthanized, if it cannot be relocated successfully.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has established regulations to manage grizzly bears in anticipation of potential future delisting. The grizzly population is estimated at just over 1,000 in Wyoming. There is currently no grizzly bear hunting season in Wyoming, and federal reclassification would be required to have one.

In New York, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation estimates the black bear population to be between 6,000 to 8,000. This population is divided into three areas: The Adirondack region has 50-60 percent of the population (3,000-4,800), the Catskill region has 30-35 percent (1,800-2,800), and the Central-Western Region contains 10-15 percent (600-1,200) black bears. NYSDEC actively monitors and manages the black bear population with public safety education on human-bear interaction and regulated hunting seasons. In 2024, hunters harvested 1,685 black bears in New York.

It’s important to realize that grizzly bears are carnivorous (primarily meat-eaters), and black bears are omnivores. Their diet consists of 80-90 percent plants and berries and 10-20 percent insects and animal matter. Black bears, like all bears, are also considered opportunistic, always looking for an easy meal. These meals usually consist of garbage, birdseed, pet food, and the like, which are usually found in camping areas.

The NYSDEC provides safety advice for New York State residents and visitors through a partnership with the National BearWise® Program, a comprehensive bear management program that includes education, research, and outreach. Visit https://bearwise.org for advice on living with bears while learning to be ‘Bear-Wise’ and ‘Bear-Safe.’ Solid advice for bear species in all states can be found there.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoor Calendar:

May 10-16: Wilson Harbor Salmon Slam Fishing Contest, $1k/day prizes, Info: Kevin Jerge, 716-863-1001.

May 13: Junior Olympic Archery Program for youth 5 – 16 yrs of age, 6 p.m. start, West Falls Conservation, 55 Bridge St., West Falls, NY.

May 17: Ribbons and Bows Charity 3D Archery Shoot, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., $20, Hawkeye Bowmen, 13300 Clinton St., Alden, NY; Info: Deb Frederiksen, defrederiksen85@gmail.com.

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Wyoming

Former Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 16

Published

12 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Former Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 16

LARAMIE — Marcus Epps hasn’t experienced the best injury luck over the last couple of seasons. After sustaining a season-ending knee injury a season ago, Epps has missed time this year with injury, as well.

That being said, when the former University of Wyoming safety is available, he produces. Sunday, with a lot at stake, was no different.

Epps had a pair of tackles in the Eagles’ 29-18 win at Washington. The victory clinched the NFC North Division crown.

For the season, Epps has recorded 12 tackles in 11 games played for 10-5 Philadelphia. The Eagles travel to Buffalo in Week 17.

Below is a list of all the former Wyoming Cowboys and how they performed in Week 16:

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (quarterback)
Allen got a little dinged up in the Bills’ 23-20 win at Cleveland. He was 12-for-19 for 130 yards, while adding 17 yards on seven carries via the ground. Allen sustained a foot injury during the game, but X-rays, fortunately, came back negative. For the season, Allen is 296-for-425 for 3,406 yards with 25 scores and 10 interceptions. On the ground, he’s carried it 105 times totaling 552 yards with a dozen touchdowns for 11-4 Buffalo, which clinched a playoff spot. The Bills host Philadelphia in Week 17.

Andrew Wingard, Jacksonville Jaguars (safety)
Wingard had a mild game in the Jaguars’ 34-20 win at Denver. He laid claim to one tackle. For the season, Wingard possesses 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, eight passes defended and one quarterback hit for 11-4 Jacksonville. The Jaguars travel to Indianapolis in Week 17.

Frank Crum, Denver Broncos (offensive line)
Crum participated in the Broncos’ 34-20 loss to Jacksonville. He played 15 snaps, four on offense and 11 on special teams. For the season, Crum has played 114 snaps, 48 on offense and 71 on special teams for 12-3 Denver. The Broncos travel to Kansas City on Christmas.

Logan Wilson, Dallas Cowboys (linebacker)
Wilson put forth his best game since joining the Cowboys mid-season. He registered five tackles in Dallas’ 34-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. For the season, Wilson has 62 tackles, four passes defended and one fumble recovery between his time in Cincinnati and now with the 6-8-1 Cowboys. Dallas travels to Washington in Week 17.

Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints (defensive end)
Granderson boasted a good game in the Saints’ 29-6 win over the New York Jets. He made three tackles. For the season, Granderson owns 46 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, three passes defended and six quarterback hits for 5-10 New Orleans. The Saints travel to Tennessee in Week 17.

Chad Muma, New England Patriots (linebacker)
Muma, who was signed by New England from Indianapolis’ practice squad, played in the Patriots’ 28-24 win at Baltimore. He didn’t record a stat. For the season, Muma has made five tackles in six games played between the Colts and now the 12-3 Patriots. New England travels to the New York Jets in Week 17.

Treyton Welch, New Orleans Saints (tight end)
Welch has yet to be elevated from the practice squad.

LOOK: Pokes’ unis through the years

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Wyoming

GOP Rep. Harriet Hageman launches Senate run in Wyoming

Published

24 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

GOP Rep. Harriet Hageman launches Senate run in Wyoming

Rep. Harriet Hageman, a Republican, is running for Senate in Wyoming next year, seeking to replace retiring GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis, who announced last week that she would not run for re-election.

Hageman, 63, was elected to be the state’s lone representative in Congress in 2022 after ousting then-Rep. Liz Cheney in a primary. Hageman had Donald Trump’s endorsement against Cheney, a vocal critic of the president, and the congresswoman name-checked the president in her three-minute launch video on Tuesday.

“I stood with President Trump to deliver the largest tax cut in American history, helping working families keep more of their own money,” Hageman said, later adding, “We worked together to secure the border and fund efforts to remove and deport those in the country illegally.”

“We must keep up this fight, and that’s why today I’m announcing my campaign for United States Senate,” Hageman said. “This fight is about making sure the next century sees the advancements of the last while protecting our culture and our way of life. We must dedicate ourselves to ensuring that the next 100 years is the next great American century.”

Hageman had been eyeing a run for governor, but ultimately decided to run for Senate, noting in an interview with Cowboy State Daily published Tuesday that “it’s important that we have someone who can hit the ground running the moment [Lummis] retires. That’s not the place for on-the-job training.”

Hageman added that Trump is “well aware” that she is running for Senate, and she would welcome his endorsement.

It’s not yet clear if Hageman will face a tough fight for the GOP nomination. There are multiple opportunities for other Wyoming Republicans to run statewide, given the open governor’s race and Hageman’s campaign opening up her at-large House seat.

The winner of the GOP primary would be in a strong position to win the Senate seat in the deep-red state. Trump won Wyoming by nearly 46 percentage points last year. Hageman won her second term in 2024 by 48 points.

Although Wyoming is a solidly Republican state, Hageman faced a rowdy crowd at a town hall earlier this year. She was met with boos as she commented on federal government cuts, the Department of Government Efficiency and the future of Social Security.

Hageman called the outbursts “over the top” and said, “It’s so bizarre to me how obsessed you are with federal government.” Her adviser dismissed the disruptions as “pre-planned” and “political theater.”

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Wyoming

After Strong Demand, Wyoming Childcare Provider Grants to Reopen in 2026

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

After Strong Demand, Wyoming Childcare Provider Grants to Reopen in 2026

A statewide grant program supporting childcare providers drew 90 applications in just two rounds of funding earlier this year. For the Wyoming Interagency Working Group on Childcare, which launched the initiative, the response affirmed that the program is addressing a significant community need. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has more.

In 2025, the Wyoming Interagency Working Group on Childcare worked collaboratively to award $183,537 to 24 providers. In an effort to build on that success, the grant program will reopen January 2 with applications closing March 1, 2026. Administered by the Wyoming Community Foundation, grants of up to $20,000 per applicant will be awarded with a renewed focus on communities with the greatest childcare shortages.

Grant awards will be prioritized based on requests from high-needs communities as will be outlined in the application and on the Wyoming Community Foundation’s website, along with plans to increase the number of children and families being cared for and engagement or planned engagement with business support services through the Small Business Development Center. Funding for this round of grantmaking includes the Wyoming Maternal and Child Health Unit, Wyoming Department of Family Services, the Wyoming Community Foundation, and the Business Studio at LCCC. To apply for a grant or if you have questions about the application process, you can click here.

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