Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
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The snow has finally arrived, but has that impacted drought conditions in Crook County? A slow start to the season may see things begin to turn around. Like most of the region, this county is still expected to remain in drought for the foreseeable future. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), much of the county had less than 50% of its average snow water equivalent until the end of last year. This warm, dry start to the water year, which begins on October 1, led to early snow drought conditions. Snowpack...
The first cold snap of the year saw below zero temperatures descend on the area last weekend, with wind chills that reached dangerous levels. The National Weather Service recorded the coldest wind chill ten miles east of Pine Haven, which measured -39 degrees F at 7:42 a.m. on Monday. It wasn't the only place to feel the bite. Southeast of Alva, ten minutes later, the wind chill was recorded at -38 degrees F. Pine Haven and Beulah both experienced -33 degree wind chills early on Monday, with...
The U.S. Forest Service is now seeking public comments on the preliminary environmental assessment of its plan to implement a fuel management program on 11,000 acres near Beulah that it says have gone an uncharacteristically long time without fire, leading to dangerous levels of accumulated fuels. The area in question is around four miles south of Beulah, 13 miles east of Sundance and nine miles west of Spearfish. “The plan’s goals include protecting basic natural resources, providing biologically diverse ecosystems, striving to reduce the occ...
As winter descends upon Wyoming, the Wyoming State Parks Rangers are reminding residents and visitors to prioritize safety while enjoying outdoor activities, especially regarding ice conditions. Temperatures have been averaging 10 to 15 degrees warmer than usual, making ice stability more unpredictable and potentially dangerous for recreational activities. Earlier this month, Wyoming State Parks Rangers, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Game Wardens and other local law enforcement officers convened at Curt Gowdy State Park for their annual ice...
Wyoming State Parks has announced that the 14th annual First Day Hikes event, held on January 1, was a success, with 887 outdoor enthusiasts across the state celebrating the new year by participating in guided hikes at 18 state parks and historic sites, covering 1222 miles. “We are thrilled to have so many people join us to kick off the New Year in such a meaningful way,” said Laurel Stephens, communications and marketing manager for Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. “The First Day Hikes event offered a perfect opportunity for indiv...
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has announced that it will no longer be pursuing a nationwide plan to manage old growth forests. Chief Randy Moore released a statement on Friday that he has made the decision to withdraw the notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. “Since this work started, we have learned much through this process. We have gained a wealth of information and perspectives, and we deeply appreciate the input we received from so many,” he stated. “This process has helped us to identify the best available scien...
A coyote looks for an easy meal along Beaver Creek west of Sundance early Tuesday morning....
The county is dusted with snow as 2025 begins – a marked change from last year, which saw tempera-ture records broken and less precipitation than usual. According to the Rapid City Weather Forecast Office, the region as a whole saw only around 80% of its usual snow and rain for the year. Only April and August brought above-average precipitation. Though the year began chilly, with temperatures around four degrees below average, the situation flipped in February and temperature readings came in around eight degrees higher than average. Spring and...
The Bureau of Land Management Newcastle Field Office plans to burn slash piles this winter on BLM-administered public lands in Crook and Weston counties. Burning may continue as conditions permit through April. All prescribed burns are conducted in accordance with approved burn plans and burning is contingent on fuel moisture and weather meeting appropriate treatment conditions on-site. Smoke may be visible from the surrounding areas during burning operations and days following as slash materials consume. The purpose of the planned burns is to...
Site Name Elevation (ft) Current Snow Depth (in) Current Snow Water Equivalent (in) 30-yr Median (1991-2020) SWE (in) Last Year’s SWE (in) Current Percent of 30 Year Median SWE (%) Blind Park Snotel 6870 12.0 2.1 3.2 1.3 66 Cole Canyon Snotel 5870 9.0 1.9 2.5 1.3 76 Ditch Creek 6880 8.2 1.2 1.9 0.6 63 Little Bear Run 6240 6.2 0.8 1.7 0.2 47 Mallo 6420 12.6 1.5 3.0 1.1 50 Mount Tom 5560 7.9 0.9 2.3 0.6 39 North Rapid Creek Snotel 6250 9.0 1.5 3.2 2.9 47...
Although temps are returning to more seasonable levels, snowpack in the area remains sparse as 2024 comes to an end....
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced four upcoming opportunities to give in-person feedback on its draft resource management plan for the Newcastle Field Office and Nebraska. If ultimately approved, the new resource management plan would replace the current, 23-year-old version now used by the Newcastle Field Office. The plan covers all the lands within the Newcastle Field Office’s boundaries in Crook, Weston and Niobrara counties, and also the entire state of Nebraska. While this may seem unbalanced, the decision was made to c...
The Crook County Commissioners have logged concern that they are not being included in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) planning process for greater sage-grouse management. The BLMS’s Greater Sage-grouse Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment and final environmental impact statement were published on November 15. The plan will address management of the bird and its habitat in ten western states, including Wyoming. The purpose of the amended plan is to respond to updated scientific information, change land uses and provide for c...
Seasonal gates and recreation sites that are not open through the winter on the Black Hills National For-est are closed as of Mon., Dec. 16. Gates are closed to provide seasonal refuge for wildlife, protect natural resources, and provide for public safety as some roads are converted to snowmobile trails. Seasonally closed roads and trails are identified on the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). Snowmobile trails are open from Dec. 15 to March 31 annually. Wheeled vehicles are not allowed on the snowmobile trails during that time except for...
The Black Hills National Forest is proposing treatments on National Forest land eight miles northwest of Sundance and eight miles southeast of Hulett through commercial timber harvest, small-tree thinning, mastication, tree planting, watershed improvements and prescribed fire. The Fort project area includes Blacktail Creek, Lytle Creek, Taylor Divide, Hershey Creek and Beaver Creek. The Cook Lake recreation area is within the project boundary but is excluded from activities and analysis. The proposal includes up to 7,500 acres of commercial...
With the recent snowfall across the Black Hills National Forest, Ranger Districts will begin 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 check the piles for...
Interested in the future of mule deer management? Wyoming Game & Fish is hosting “community conversations” across the state to address widespread public concern about populations of the species. The goal is to gather input and perspectives in an informal setting that will ultimately help guide the departments next steps in managing mule deer. Game & Fish also collects input from outreach efforts such as season-setting meetings in the spring and hunter field checks, as well as the 2023 Mule Deer Hunter Attitude Survey. The conversations are in...
A gaggle of the seasonal species gathers just outside Sundance on Monday. We wish all our readers the happiest of Thanksgivings and all the blessings of the holiday!...
Fire restrictions have been lifted for public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the Buffalo, Casper and Newcastle field offices. Affected counties include Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Johnson, Natrona, Niobrara, Platte, Sheridan and Weston. The following activities can resume on BLM-administered lands: building a campfire, smoking, operating a chainsaw, using an arc or gas welder or operating an acetylene or other torch. Wyoming year-round wildfire prevention restrictions remain in effect. Those restrictions include:...
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the draft of its plans to manage public lands in northeast Wyoming and the public now has a chance to comment. The new resource management plan would replace the current, 23-year-old version now used by the Newcastle Field Office. The Draft Newcastle and Nebraska Resource Management Plan covers all the lands within the Newcastle Field Office's boundaries in Crook, Weston and Niobrara counties, and also the entire state of Nebraska. While this may...
Black Hills National Forest Christmas tree permits are now available at recreation.gov and from local Forest Service offices and private vendors. 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 need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Visitors will need to set up or log in to an account to complete the transaction. Users can purchase up to five permits per account. Online permits are ready to print immediately a...
A weekend of deer hunting for a group of veterans from across Wyoming began on Friday evening with a banquet. The gathering was an opportunity for the vets to meet and get to know the local landowners and guides who sponsored their experience in Crook County. The Black Hills Veterans' Day White Tail Hunt has been hosted since 2016 by Hunting With Heroes, a nonprofit that gives back to disabled veterans by providing them with outdoor experiences such as hunting and fishing....
Chronic Wasting Disease has been identified in an elk hunt area at the border of Crook County. Elk Hunt Area 126 begins at the border to the southwest of the county and travels south through much of Weston and Niobrara and west into Converse. The hunt area is bordered by seven other elk areas that are now known to be positive for CWD, including 117 and 129, both of which are partially in Crook County. CWD was also confirmed in Deer Hunt Areas 31 and 94, both towards the middle of the state in the Sheridan and Lander regions respectively. The...
On the heels of last week's first significant snowstorm, a herd of pronghorns gathered south of Sundance and started their trek further south, presumably in search of a more suitable winter home....
As any hunter knows, the best time to hunt cat is directly after the first snowfall. Kyle Shamion didn't waste a moment, taking this sizeable cougar on morning two of the first storm of the winter. His success came about purely by accident. Shamion wasn't looking out for felines at the time – he was actually hunting for elk when this fine specimen wandered into his path. Already in possession of a tag and unwilling to waste an opportunity, Shamion called his brother to come join him and the d...
