Wyoming

Hunter Bags One Of Wyoming’s Biggest Bears Ever With Traditional…

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2024

Hunter Bags One Of Wyoming’s Biggest Bears Ever With Traditional…

After pursuing big game animals for decades and bagging some real whoppers, Wyoming hunter Owen Miller said record-book scores “are just a number for me.”

These days, it’s more about the experience.

He’s used a rifle and modern compound bow. But he’s grown fond of his traditional recurve bow – a weapon which requires him to get within about 20 yards of his prey.

But when his friends and peers got a look at the sheer size of a cinnamon-colored black bear he killed with that bow in May, they told him that, in this case, the numbers really do matter.

“I have guys pushing me, saying, ‘Dude, you have to get that officially scored. That is a huge bear,’” he told Cowboy State Daily.

By The B&C Numbers

The Boone & Crockett (B&C) scoring system, widely considered the gold standard for hunting trophies, scores bear by skull measurements.

Going by his own, unofficial measurements, his bear’s skull comes in at 21 and 1/16 inches, B&C. That would put it at No. 8 for the all-time biggest black bear in Wyoming, he said.

At his friends’ urging, he’s considering getting the skull measured and recorded by a certified B&C scorer.

Since he shot the bear in the last week of May, the skull has nearly gone through the mandatory “drying period,” he said.

Big game animals’ antlers and skulls shrink as they dry out over the first couple of months after the kill. B&C won’t accept measurements into its official record books unless they were taken after the mandatory drying period.

So, it’s wait-and-see for Miller as to whether his bear will make the record book.

But regardless of the measuring tape’s final tale, his memories from the hunt will be the real trophy.

They Knew That Bear Was In There Somewhere

Miller lives in northeast Wyoming and likes to hunt all over the state. One area in southern Wyoming is his favorite for hunting bears and elk.

Elk hunting seasons are in the fall, while bear seasons are in the fall and spring.

Miller and his brother knew there was a huge, cinnamon-colored male black bear in the area. They and others had seen him a few times.

But he always managed to evade hunters.

Last fall, his brother hunkered down in a tree stand at their favorite bear baiting site, while Miller ventured out to bowhunt for elk.

When he got word that his brother had dropped a bear, he was certain that it was the monster they’d been looking for.

It turned out his brother had taken a different bear.

But there was the spring bear season to look forward to, and his recurve bow would be ready.

Owen Miller used a traditional recurve bow to kill this huge cinnamon-colored black bear in southern Wyoming. It’s in the running to be one of the biggest bears ever taken in the state. (Courtesy Owen Miller)
Owen Miller used a traditional recurve bow to kill this huge cinnamon-colored black bear in southern Wyoming. It’s in the running to be one of the biggest bears ever taken in the state. (Courtesy Owen Miller)
Wyoming Bowhunter Owen Miller likes getting back to the basics, including using a traditional recurve bow, and arrows with two-edged hunting broadheads. (Courtesy Owen Miller)
Wyoming bowhunter Owen Miller uses nearly every part of the black bears he hunts. That includes the rendered fat, which he uses for cooking oil and to waterproof leather footwear. (Courtesy Owen Miller)

‘It Gives Me A Headache’

Miller said he became interested in hunting with a recurve bow several years ago, and finally bought one from a friend.

When it was time to practice, he shot the bow nearly every day.

Unlike more modern bows, the recurve doesn’t have sights. It also doesn’t have a compound bow’s pully system, which allows an archer to hold the string back in the ready-to-shoot position for an extended period.

“It’s very traditional. No sights, everything is on instinct. There’s no holding the string back, you have to draw and shoot in one motion. You have to practice a lot,” Miller said.

He’s also picky about the arrows he uses. Many modern arrows have four or more cutting blades.

“It gives me a headache looking at that. It doesn’t look traditional,” Miller said.

Instead, he opts for traditionally triangle-shaped broadheads with two cutting edges.

Gradually, he gained enough confidence in his accuracy with the recurve bow to take it out hunting.

“It took me probably two years before I was comfortable hunting with the recurve. When I’m hunting, my motto is, I want to kill something, I don’t want to wound it,” he said.

He missed a turkey with the recurve bow, but scored good, fatal hits on mule deer, whitetail deer and a couple of black bears.

So, heading out to hunt this spring he felt confident that if he got a clear shot at the huge cinnamon bear, he’d bring it down quickly.

‘Just That Alone Was An Adventure’

Toward the end of May, Miller had a wedding to attend in the same general area as his bear hunting spot.

While he was busy with the wedding, bears came in and gobbled up all the bait before he could get out hunting.

As soon as he could, he resupplied the bait and decided to spend the day in his tree stand.

He wasn’t expecting much to happen. It usually takes bears at least a few days to start coming back to a bait site once it’s been disturbed.

At about 3 p.m., he spotted some movement and wondered if it was the bear he’d been waiting for.

“I realized, ‘That’s not a bear,’ so I got my camera ready. And here comes this huge freaking mountain lion. This thing came right under me, it was sniffing the ladder on my tree stand, but it never looked up,” he said.

The mountain lion kept going, eventually disappearing back into the timber.

“Just that alone was an adventure,” Miller said.

‘I Just Drew Back And Let Him Have It’

Miller figured that the encounter with the mountain lion was enough to have made the trip worthwhile, even if he didn’t see any bears.

But he decided to stay in his tree stand until dark, just in case.

At about 7 p.m. a bear finally showed up, and it was clear right off the bat that it was the cinnamon monster.

“He must have decided that there wasn’t any threat or danger,” Miller said. “He was just sitting there, rubbing his neck on a pine tree.”

Staying as still and as quiet as possible, Miller waited for the bear to get closer and offer a clear broadside shot.

Finally the moment came.

“He just turned his head, and his beady eyes were looking right up at me, so I just drew back and let him have it,” Miller said.

The shot was nearly perfect, right through both of the bear’s lungs, a quick and fatal blow.

A Bounty Of Meat And Fat

The bear probably weighed well over 400 pounds. As darkness fell, Miller set about skinning and processing the huge carcass.

“It was 1:30 in the morning before I got the first load back out to the truck,” he said.

Under Wyoming hunting regulations, black bears are classified as a trophy game species. That means hunters aren’t required to keep the meat.

Miller doesn’t agree with that. He thinks bear meat is delicious, and doesn’t see the sense in letting it go to waste.

It makes for great sausages, burgers and steaks, he said.

“It’s high in fat, so you don’t want to eat it frequently,” he said.

He also kept the fat from the bear, which he rendered down into an oil. It makes for great cooking oil and can also be used to waterproof leather footwear.

As for his next hunting adventure, Miller would like to sneak to within 20 yards of huge bull elk and take it down with his recurve.

“It’s about the challenge,” he said. “I’ve shot so many animals with the compound bow and the rifle. I still use those sometimes, but I’m having so more fun with the recurve,” he said.

Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.

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Wyoming

Outdoor Fun Awaits At Local Parks With Izaak Walton League’s Hiking Series From April To September

Published

12 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Outdoor Fun Awaits At Local Parks With Izaak Walton League’s Hiking Series From April To September

Hiking can be an activity that you enjoy doing on your own, but sometimes you need a little extra inspiration, and a group hike is exactly what you need. If you’re looking for a group to explore the outdoors with, the Charles E. Piersall chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America hiking group may be what you’re looking for.

The mission of the IWLA:

To engage the community in the conservation, restoration, and promotion of environmental protection, we focus on the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. This commitment is essential for a sustainable future, and activities like hiking help foster a connection with nature

The group is open to all ages, and even your pup can join in on the fun if they’re on a leash. There is a series of hikes planned beginning on April 1. Nope, this isn’t a prank; it is a real chance to meet other outdoor lovers and take in some of the area’s best hiking trails. The hikes are scheduled on the odd Wednesdays from April to September, weather permitting.

Join us to connect with others who appreciate the beauty of outdoor hiking and environmental advocacy hiking. Remember to bring drinking water, snacks, good walking shoes or boots, and a jacket. A walking stick or hiking poles can also be helpful.

Here are the hikes they have planned for this summer.

April 2026

Wednesday, April 1, 6 pm, Morad Park to Paradise Valley:
Wednesday, April 15, 6 pm, Edness K. Wilkins State Park:
Wednesday, April 29, 6 pm, Tate Pumphouse, Golf Course loop:

May 2026

June 2026

July 2026

Wednesday, July 1, 6 pm, Muddy Mountain, North Face:
Wednesday, July 15, 6 pm, Muddy Mountain, Beaver Ponds:
Wednesday, July 29, 6 pm, Casper Mountain, Biathlon:

August 2026

September 2026

16 Types Of Hikes Explained

7 Trails To Hike In Central Wyoming

There’s no doubt about it, the entire state of Wyoming is covered in amazing hiking trails. If you’re visiting central Wyoming here are 7 trails that you should check out. I’ve organized them from easier to harder, ending with Laramie Peak.

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Wyoming

Wyoming Reporter Now Facing An Additional 10 Felony Charges

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Wyoming Reporter Now Facing An Additional 10 Felony Charges

The Platte County Attorney’s Office has nearly doubled the possible penalties for a Wyoming reporter accused of forging exhibits in an environmental case tied to her staunch opposition to a wind farm.

The 10 new counts against April Marie Morganroth, also known as the Wyoming-based reporter Marie Hamilton, allege that she convinced her landlords that she’d been approved for a home loan to buy their property, and grants to upgrade it.

Hamilton was already facing 10 felony charges in a March 9 Wheatland Circuit Court case, as she’s accused of submitting forged documents and lying under oath before the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council.

That’s an environmental permitting panel that granted a permit to a NextEra Resources wind farm, which Hamilton has long opposed. She’s also reported on NextEra’s efforts and the community controversies surrounding those.

Then on Wednesday, Platte County Attorney Douglas Weaver filed 10 more felony charges: five alleging possession of forged writing, and five more alleging forgery.

The former is punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines; the latter by up to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

Hamilton faces up to 65 years in prison if convicted of all charges in her March 9 case. The March 25 case would add up to 75 years more to that.

Both cases are ongoing.

Hamilton did not immediately respond to a voicemail request for comment left Thursday afternoon on her cellphone. She bonded out of jail earlier this month. The Platte County Detention Center said Thursday it does “not have her here.”

The Investigative Efforts Of Benjamin Peech

Converse County Sheriff’s Lt. Benjamin Peech investigated both cases at the request of Platte County authorities, court documents say.

When he was investigating evidence that Hamilton submitted forged documents and lied under oath for Industrial Siting Council proceedings, Peech also pursued Hamilton’s claim that she owned property on JJ Road, and that she’d bought it with a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan.

The property, however, is registered under Platte County’s mapping system to a couple surnamed Gillis, says a new affidavit Peech signed March 19, which was filed Wednesday.

Peech spoke with both husband and wife, and they said they had the home on the market to sell it, and Hamilton contacted them in about July of 2025.

Hamilton told the pair that she and her husband wished to buy the property and were pre-qualified for a USDA loan through Neighbor’s Bank, wrote Peech.

But the property didn’t meet the standard of the loan, Hamilton reportedly continued. Still, she’d been approved for a USDA grant to work on the problems with the property and bring it up to the standards to qualify for the loan, she allegedly told the homeowners.

Papers

Hamilton provided the couple and their realtor with letters from USDA showing her loan pre-approval and grant approvals, the affidavit says.

During the lease period that followed, Hamilton was late “often” with rent and didn’t provide the couple with work logs until pressed, Peech wrote.

In early 2026, the lieutenant continued, the homeowners became concerned and asked Hamilton about her progress improving the property.

Hamilton reportedly sent the homeowners two invoices from contractors, showing she’d paid for work to be done. She said the wind had delayed that work, wrote Peech.

The affidavit says the Gillis couple sent Peech the documents Hamilton had reportedly given them, along with supporting emails showing those had come from one of Hamilton’s email addresses.

The Loan approval documents showed the respective logos for USDA Rural Development and Neighbor’s Bank at the top of each page, the lieutenant wrote, adding that the documents assert that Hamilton and her husband had been approved for the loan.

“There was then a list of items that needed to be completed — 14 items — prior to Final Loan Approval,” related Peech in the affidavit.

A signature at the bottom reportedly read, “Sincerely, USDA Rural Development Neighbors Bank Joshua Harris Homebuying Specialist.”

Grant Document

The documents purporting Hamilton had received a grant also showed the USDA Rural Development logo at the top of each page, with the names of Hamilton and her husband, other boilerplate language and a description of a $35,000 home buyer’s grant.

The project was about 65% complete at the time of review, the document adds, according to Peech’s narrative.

Peech describes more documents: a January notice, an invoice bearing the logo and name of “Cowgirl Demolition and Excavation, LLC,” and another invoice bearing the logo and name of “Pete’s Builders Roofing and Restoration.”

Real Estate Agent

Peech spoke with the Gillises’ real estate agent, Kay Pope, and she said she’d tried to verify the USDA grant and pre-approval by calling Susan Allman, who was listed in the documents as the Casper-based USDA agent. Pope left several messages without response, the affidavit says.

Pope spoke with Hamilton’s real estate agent, and he said he’d spoken to Allman, and he gave Pope a phone number.

Cowboy State Daily has identified Hamilton’s real estate agent and tried to contact him for further clarification.

Pope called that number and left messages without response, wrote Peech.

Peech then called a USDA Rural Development office and spoke with a Janice Blare, deputy state director, he wrote.

Peech sent the three USDA letters to Blare and gave her “all of Hamilton’s names and aliases,” he added.

The lieutenant wrote that Blare later told him the USDA investigated the letters and determined no evidence existed to show the USDA had issued them.

No records existed either, of Hamilton “using all her alias permutations” or her husband within either the USDA loan program or grant program, wrote Peech.

The USDA didn’t have an office at the address listed in two of the letters. The address pertains, rather, to a dirt lot. The USDA Rural Development office didn’t have a program titled “Rural Communities Home Buyer Program” as listed on two of the letters.

On Nov. 6, 2025, the date of the first letter purporting Hamilton had been approved for the grant program, all U.S. government offices including USDA were on furlough, noted Peech from his discussion with Blare.

A person named Susan Allman didn’t appear in USDA’s employee records, Blare reportedly added.

The Phone Call

Peech called the cellphone number one of the letters listed for Allman, “and this was disconnected,” he wrote.

The number Hamilton’s real estate agent had given was a voice over internet protocol number that Bandwidth LLC operates but is assigned to Google, added Peech.

Meanwhile, Converse County Investigator Amber Peterson spoke with the construction and roofing companies listed in the documents.

Chad Derenzo of Pete’s Roofing confirmed the logo and name listed on the documents were his company’s own — but said his company hadn’t issued the bid listed in those documents, according to the affidavit.

“Their company had never contracted to do work for Hamilton or at the… JJ Road address,” the document says.

The invoice also bore an address in Torrington, Wyoming, and his company doesn’t have a Torrington office, said Derenzo, reportedly.

Jessica Loge of Cowgirl Demolition and Excavation gave similar statements, saying the documents bore her logo, but her company hadn’t issued the bid or contracted with Hamilton.

Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.

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Wyoming

Wyoming State Parks announces pause on potential visitor center project at Sinks Canyon State Park

Published

2 days ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Wyoming State Parks announces pause on potential visitor center project at Sinks Canyon State Park

(Lander, WY) – The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR) is announcing a pause on a possible visitor center project at Sinks Canyon State Park following public engagement efforts conducted in late 2025. On Dec. 1, 2025, Wyoming State Parks, in partnership with Sinks Canyon WILD, hosted a public forum and gathered […]

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