Wyoming

Wyoming calls off sale of wildlife-rich tract in Jackson Hole

Published

2 years ago

September 19, 2024

Wyoming calls off sale of wildlife-rich tract in Jackson Hole

Mike Koshmrl

(Wyofile) – A deal to sell a half-square-mile swath of undeveloped Wyoming-owned land in the heart of Jackson Hole to the U.S. Forest Service has been terminated.

The 320-acre subject of the now-foiled sale is known as the Teton Wildlife Habitat Management Area. Lacking road access, the Game and Fish-owned property is located where the Bridger-Teton National Forest and National Elk Refuge come together at the edge of the Gros Ventre Range foothills. The land had been recently appraised for north of $15 million, and the acquisition had been analyzed via an environmental assessment by the federal government. But on Sept. 11, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission voted to forgo a “purchase contract” brought by the Forest Service. That offer is slated to expire at the end of October.

Outgoing Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik told commissioners it was the department’s recommendation “to not move forward with the sale.”

“There’s some uncertainty about a lot of things that interplay with this sale in that part of the world,” Nesvik said. “Particularly, implementation of our feedground management plan that was just recently approved.”

In March, Game and Fish commissioners signed off on a long-term plan that could lead to big changes in the state’s elk-feeding program. Simultaneously, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reworking its management plan for the largest elk feedground: the National Elk Refuge, where the current feeding-reduction plan hasn’t worked as designed.

Retaining the Teton Wildlife Habitat Management Area could give Game and Fish a bargaining chip in upcoming elk-feeding policy discussions. Potentially, its 320 acres could even offer flexibility for Wyoming to keep feeding elk adjacent to the National Elk Refuge if federal wildlife managers go in a direction state officials don’t like.

The seven-person Game and Fish Commission didn’t engage in much discussion following Nesvik’s recommendation. Unanimously, they voted to take no action. With the “purchase contract” expiration coming within weeks, that essentially ends the deal — at least for the near future.

“We certainly don’t want to close this door as an option down the road,” Nesvik said.

Need to build housing for state employees drove initial interest in sale

Although most recently the Bridger-Teton National Forest approached Game and Fish about the acquisition, it was the state agency that initiated the conversation five years ago. At the time, a need for funds to build housing for Jackson-region state employees drove interest in offloading the property. That housing — at the agency’s South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area — is in the process of being built with a different source of funding.

Until recently, the conveyance of the Teton Wildlife Habitat Management Area looked like it was on a track to happening.

In July 2023, the Jackson Hole News & Guide reported that the Game and Fish Commission had published a public notice soliciting comments on the possible sale. WyoFile queried the public comments that came in: three of the five received total supported the conveyance. In subsequent reporting by the newspaper, Game and Fish officials pitched the deal as a win-win.

“There’s an opportunity to keep that 320 acres for wildlife in perpetuity and get revenue,” John Kennedy, a now-retired Game and Fish deputy director, said at the time. “That’s a pretty simple concept.”

The state of Wyoming has possessed the parcel since 1965, when it purchased the 320 acres from Kenneth and Beatrice Miller using $80,000 in federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration funding.

A September 2023 appraisal landed on a value of $15.36 million, Game and Fish Deputy Chief of Services Sean Bibbey told WyoFile.

Bridger-Teton officials and volunteers had been hoping to come up with that sum.

“We were applying for Land and Water Conservation Funding, fiscal year 2026,” said Michael Schrotz, a retired forest staffer who continues to assist with land acquisitions.

The Bridger-Teton’s interest in acquiring the land, he said, was in keeping it open.

“It’s an inholding, and neither the Forest Service nor the National Elk Refuge would like to have development occur in that area,” Schrotz said. “You can see the Grand [Teton] from that parcel, and so it probably would be worth a bazillion dollars.”

Because the Teton Wildlife Habitat Management Area is owned and administered by Game and Fish, the tract has not faced the same development pressures as other state-owned parcels in Teton County.

Several 640-acre Wyoming sections administered by the Office of State Lands and Investments in the region have been in the news: at Munger Mountain, where the state’s assessing a “conservation lease” proposal after a commercial glamping business expressed interest; the Kelly Parcel, which is in line to be sold to the National Park Service after threat of a public auction; and the section abutting Teton Village Road, which has fueled a fight over whether county zoning should apply on state lands.

Game and Fish, however, does not have the same constitutional duty to maximize revenue from the Teton Wildlife Habitat Management Area. The land, rather, is managed to conserve wildlife habitat and provide access for hunting and other forms of recreation. It’s only accessible on foot or horseback, and only from May 1 to Nov. 30 due to winter wildlife closures.

“Throughout that entire [sale] process, our biggest concern was making sure that the property was perpetually protected and usable for wildlife,” said Bibbey, the Game and Fish staffer. “We never lost sight of that.”

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Wyoming

Severe thunderstorms, tornado risk threaten southeast Wyoming today, Tuesday

Published

7 hours ago

June 1, 2026

Press Room

Severe thunderstorms, tornado risk threaten southeast Wyoming today, Tuesday

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes could hit southeast Wyoming this afternoon and Tuesday.

The National Weather Service issued a level two out of five slight risk for the eastern high plains on Monday.

There is a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe weather on Monday. The strongest storms are expected between 3 and 9 p.m. (National Weather Service graphic)

All modes of severe weather are possible: hail, damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado or two. (National Weather Service graphic)

Cheyenne has a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. today, with a forecast high near 73 degrees. Winds will shift from the northwest to the southeast at 10–15 mph during the morning hours. Storm chances drop to 20% before 9 p.m., and areas of fog will develop after midnight as temperatures fall to a low around 52.

Tuesday brings a repeat of storm threats after noon. Morning fog will give way to mostly cloudy skies, which will gradually clear later in the day with a high near 75. Low-level moisture and atmospheric spin along and east of the Interstate 25 corridor could trigger severe conditions, with large hail listed as the main threat.

Showers remain possible mid-week, with a 50% chance of rain on Wednesday afternoon and a high near 77 degrees^.

A drying and warming trend will settle over Laramie County starting Thursday. High temperatures will climb to 79 on Thursday, 82 on Friday, and peak at 85 under sunny skies on Saturday.

Any remaining storms later in the week will likely produce high winds rather than rain due to dry air near the surface.

Detailed Forecast

Today: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 73. North northwest wind 5–10 mph becoming south southeast 10–15 mph in the morning.
Tonight: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 p.m. Areas of fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 52. South southeast wind 5–10 mph.
Tuesday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 75. South southeast wind 5–15 mph.
Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 9 p.m. and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. South southeast wind 5–10 mph becoming west southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 p.m., then a chance of showers between 9 p.m. and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 82.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

More on the weather is available at the National Weather Service website.

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Wyoming

Your Wyoming Sunrise: Monday, June 1, 2026

Published

17 hours ago

May 31, 2026

Press Room

Your Wyoming Sunrise: Monday, June 1, 2026

Today’s Wyoming sunrise was captured by Tom Boatman. Tom writes, “I took this at Goldeneye Reservoir. Pelicans enjoying the morning…”

To submit your Wyoming sunrise photo, email us at: News@CowboyStateDaily.com

NOTE: Please send us the highest-quality version of your photo. The larger the file, the better.

NOTE #2: Please include where you are from and where the photo was taken.

NOTE #3: Tell us about your sunrise. What do you like about it?

NOTE #4: We prefer horizontal (not vertical) photos. Thanks!

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Wyoming

Don Day’s Wyoming Weather Forecast: Sunday, May 31, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 31, 2026

Press Room

Chance of rain in parts of Wyoming on Sunday with some sun in the south. Breezy overnight with a chance of rain early. Highs from the mid 50s to near 80. Lows from the mid 20s to upper 40s.

Central:

Casper: Chance of rain, otherwise partly sunny and breezy today with a high near 71 and wind gusts as high as 34 mph. Partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 8 p.m., a low near 43 and wind gusts as high as 31 mph.

Riverton: Chance of rain, otherwise mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 72 and wind gusts as high as 33 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 7 p.m., a low near 41 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Shoshoni: Chance of rain, otherwise partly sunny and windy today with a high near 70 and wind gusts as high as 37 mph. Mostly clear and windy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 7 p.m., a low near 43 and wind gusts as high as 36 mph.

Southwest:

Evanston: Sunny today with a high near 61 and mostly clear overnight with a low near 33.

Green River: Sunny and breezy today with a high near 66 and wind gusts as high as 28 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 38 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph.

Kemmerer: Breezy, gradually becoming sunny today with a high near 61 and wind gusts as high as 29 mph. Increasing clouds and breezy overnight with a low near 33 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.

Western Wyoming:

Pinedale: Slight chance of rain, breezy, gradually becoming sunny today with a high near 59 and wind gusts as high as 28 mph. Mostly clear and blustery overnight with a low near 29 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Alpine: Chance of rain, gradually clearing today with a high near 64 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly clear overnight with a low near 35.

Big Piney: Breezy, gradually becoming sunny today with a high near 62 and wind gusts as high as 29 mph. Mostly clear and blustery overnight with a low near 27 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Northwest:

Dubois: Chance of rain mainly after 1 p.m., otherwise mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 57 and wind gusts as high as 37 mph. Mostly clear and windy overnight with a low near 34 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

Jackson: Chance of rain, gradually becoming mostly sunny today with a high near 62 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly clear overnight with a low near 33.

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park: Rain likely today with a high near 50 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph. Gradually becoming mostly clear overnight with a chance of rain before 11 p.m., a low near 29 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph.

Bighorn Basin:

Thermopolis: Rain likely today with a high near 66 and mostly clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before 9 p.m. and a low near 43.

Cody: Rain likely, cloudy and breezy today with a high near 63 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph. Gradually becoming mostly clear overnight with a chance of rain before 10 p.m. and a low near 43.

Ten Sleep: Rain likely, breezy today with a high near 65 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph. Gradually becoming clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before 9 p.m., a low near 45 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph.

North Central:

Buffalo: Rain likely, breezy today with a high near 61 and wind gusts as high as 22 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 8 p.m., a low near 44 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph.

Sheridan: Rain likely, mostly cloudy today with a high near 64 and wind from 16-21 mph. Gradually becoming mostly clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before 9 p.m., a low near 38 and wind from 11-16 mph.

Big Horn: Rain likely today with a high near 62 and wind from 11-16 mph. Gradually becoming mostly clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before 9 p.m. and a low near 42.

Northeast:

Gillette: Rain likely today with a high near 63 and wind gusts as high as 26 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of rain before midnight, a low near 39 and wind gusts as high as 26 mph.

Newcastle: Rain likely today with a high near 69 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight, a low near 43 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.

Upton: Rain likely today with a high near 67 and wind gusts as high as 22 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight, a low near 39 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.

Eastern Plains:

Torrington: Sunny and breezy today with a high near 81 and wind gusts as high as 35 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 48 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph.

Lusk: Chance of rain after noon, otherwise mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 71 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. Partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 9 p.m., a low near 40 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph.

Midwest: Rain likely, otherwise partly sunny and breezy today with a high near 68 and wind gusts as high as 29 mph. Breezy, gradually becoming clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before 8 p.m., a low near 40 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Southeast:

Cheyenne: Sunny and breezy today with a high near 75 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 46 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph.

Laramie: Sunny and windy today with a high near 67 and wind gusts as high as 45 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 38 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

Medicine Bow: Mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 68 and wind gusts as high as 50 mph. Mostly clear and windy overnight with a low near 37 and wind gusts as high as 45 mph.

South Central:

Rawlins: Mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 67 and wind gusts as high as 45 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 40 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

Saratoga: Mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 68 and wind gusts as high as 45 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 38 and wind gusts as high as 35 mph.

Hanna: Mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 66 and wind gusts as high as 50 mph. Mostly clear and windy overnight with a low near 38 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

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