Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
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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...
Fair week is underway, and the fairgrounds are full to brimming with livestock, exhibits and their owners. On Tuesday, judges were hard at work judging static exhibits, FFA projects and open class, as well as overseeing the public fashion review. Their hard work was rewarded later in the day by the official fair-kick off ice cream social. Events continue this week with Thursday's animal shows, including sheep, rabbits, cats and pocket pets, and the beef and wool shows on Friday. Upcoming...
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 fire ban goes into effect on lands owned or administered by Wyoming Game & Fish this Friday, following the example of the county-implemented restrictions that will become effective at the same time. Both fire bans are in response to the good grass growth so far this year and the expected drier conditions of late summer. The Game & Fish ban includes the Sand Creek Wildlife Habitat Management Area near Beulah. “The Sheridan region has experienced near normal precipitation for the first time in three years, resulting in increased grass p...
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...
This year's Sundance Volksmarch made good use of the scenic trails at Sundance White Ranch Park at the weekend. Sponsored by the Black Hills Volkssport Association, the event offered climbers a 5k or 10k option....
Landslide dangers and necessary construction have hindered use of Cook Lake Recreation Area in recent seasons – but not this year. According to Mike Gosse, District Ranger, the popular site will be offering a full set of amenities over the coming weeks of summer. “Cook Lake, Reuter, Bearlodge and Sundance Horse Camp are all open for camping with a full season of use expected. There are campground hosts at Reuter Campground and Cook Lake,” he says. “New additional horse corrals have been installed at the Sundance Horse Camp with a new restroo...
4-H Summer Camp is a much-anticipated event for youth in Crook and Weston Counties and this year was no exception. After a three-year hiatus, over 50 youth and adult volunteers flocked to Mallo Camp for the return of the annual Crook-Weston County 4-H Camp. 4-H Summer Camp began with a leadership training for teen leaders who serve as camp counselors. The group of 21 outstanding teens participated in interactive team building exercises and learned other essential camp management tools. Campers...
The first stage of the process to update and revise the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Black Hills National Forest is complete and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is now seeking public comment. The Forest Plan Revision Draft Assessments are available for viewing and the public comment period is open until August 1. "The forest plan tells us how we will manage the forests for the next 15 to 20 years," says Scott Jacobson, Public Information Officer. "People who would like to see the...
The municipal pool is open for the summer, but so far the number of swimmers to venture into it has been more limited than usual due to the weather. According to Public Works Director Mac Erickson, it was first opened on June 3, but then closed again over the weekend due to cold and rain. Still, there's no keeping some kids from their summer fun and they're sure to be joined by many more as temperatures rise...
The unsettled weather continued over the weekend with three days of thunderstorms, bringing plenty of rain and hail. The crescendo was a storm on Sunday night that scattered destructive hailstones across the county. The region was placed on tornado watch and, for the first time this year, Sundance's warning siren sounded – minutes before an ominous black cloud rolled into view. The largest recorded hailstones during the storm fell northeast of Aladdin at 2.75 inches. North of Hulett, stones o...
Black Hills Volkssport Association is sponsoring a volksmarch on Sat., June 25 at Sundance White Ranch Park. Walk registration is from 8 a.m. until noon and finish by 4 p.m. The distance is 5k (3.1 miles) or 10k (6.2 miles). The hike will be on the ranch trails right below Sundance Mountain. This trail system opened to the public last year. There are trails available with different difficulties. Cost for the walk is $3. Directions: Take I-90 to Sundance exit 185. Turn left on Hwy 14 for .2...
It was only a matter of minutes before the first fish was caught during this year's Sundance Rod & Gun Club fishing derby. The call came out from across the pond as Cash Peterson announced he'd hooked the trout that started a successful afternoon of fishing for local kids. Around 30 young anglers tried their luck during the event, catching plenty of fish in the process, according to organizer Doug Ramsey. The longest trout caught was a tie between Avery Sproul and Stanton Engelhaupt at 10.5...
The Wyoming Tree Farmers of the Year for 2022 reside on land beautified by orchard and forest south of Sundance. Terry and Alison Everard say they became involved in the Stewardship/Tree Farm programs in order to leave their own land and the surrounding area a more diverse and productive landscape. Terry enjoys exchanging knowledge about native forestry health and his experience of enhancing their trees....
Looking for some outdoors family fun this summer? Keyhole State Park has announced plenty of programs for the rest of the month, from night hikes to nature walks. Explore the park by night with the night hike series, which tun from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The first, on June 10 and 11, will introduce you to the amphibian residents of the park, with the help of a naturalist ranger. The second, on June 17 and 18, will focus on avian residents, while the third, on June 24, will take a look at moths and the role they play in pollination. Each night hike...
As we transition into summer, Crook County is starting to see a little more badly needed moisture than it has for many months. In fact, this county experienced the fourteenth wettest April on record, with 1.24 extra inches of precipitation. The year as a whole has been slightly wetter than average – an estimated 0.08 inches above normal. Over the Memorial Day weekend, the region experienced significant amounts of rainfall, with the National Weather Service out of Rapid City reporting 1.9 inches in Beulah. Despite this, the county has r...
A Wyoming Game and Fish Department authorized and approved Hunter Education Class is scheduled in Sundance. Even if you never hunt, the class provides students of all ages valuable information about firearm and archery safety, wildlife management, habitat conservation, outdoor survival, law and regulations, respect and responsibility to wildlife, property owners and hunting companions and much more. Wyoming law requires virtually all hunters born on or after January 1, 1966 to pass a certified Hunter Education Class and possess a Hunter...
The annual kids’ fishing derby, sponsored by Sundance Rod and Gun Club, will be held on Sat., June 4 at Sundance Pond for kids age 13 and under. Registration starts at noon and fishing will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Hot dogs and soda will be served and there will be prizes for everyone. For more information, please contact Douglas Ramsey, 290-2901....
The Wyoming Sportsman Group Hulett Youth Field Day is an anticipated annual event drawing over 100 youth and their families from northeast Wyoming and surrounding states to participate in outdoor activities related to hunting, marksmanship, fishing, wildlife, conservation and personal safety. The group's mission is to introduce and keep youth interested and involved in outdoor and wildlife related activities. The event will take place right outside of Hulett on Hwy 24, Sat., June 4 beginning at...
Black Hills National Forest campgrounds are scheduled to open Friday, May 13 and seasonal gates will all be open Monday, May 16, 2022. The Forest offers 30 campgrounds with more than 680 individual sites. Many of the campgrounds are operated by a Forest Service recreation service partner, Forest Recreation Management, (FRM) Inc. based in Hill City, SD, under a concession permit. The fees in the Forest campgrounds range from $16 to $28.50 per night. Group camping is also available with advanced reservations near Pactola Reservoir and Sheridan...
While recreational shooting is allowed, it is unlawful to shoot at or use exploding targets anywhere on the Black Hills National Forest. A regional closure order prohibits the use of exploding targets on National Forest System Lands. The order states, “The following act is prohibited in Region 2 – using an explosive, which is any chemical compound, mixture, or device that has the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion (including exploding targets). 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b).” Persons shooting at exploding targets can face a...
Site Name Elevation (ft.) Current Snow Depth (in.) Current Snow Water Equivalent (in.) 30-Year Median SWE Last Year’s SWE Current Percent of 30-Year SWE Bear Lodge Divide 4680 5.3 1.6 0.2 0.0 800 Blind Park Snotel 6870 1.0 0.6 0.3 0.3 200 Cole Canyon Snotel 5870 12.0 3.8 1.0 1.7 380 North Rapid Creek Snotel 3250 4.0 2.9 0.3 4.4 967 Reuter Canyon 6280 6.7 1.9 2.7 0.0 70 Submitted by Sherry Burr, NRCS...
Wyoming Game & Fish has now detected cases of bird flu in wild birds within this state. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI, commonly known as bird flu) was already known to be affecting back yard poultry in Wyoming. The national outbreak has caused die-offs in both domestic and wild birds in states as close to home as South Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado. The public is asked to report groups of dead birds. “Anyone who finds clusters of three or more dead wild birds – especially waterfowl and other water-birds – please contact the Game...
"The staff at Devils Tower National Monument are planning to conduct a prescribed burn to restore the natural process of fire to the ecosystem and reduce the build-up of dead and dried fuels," announced Superintendent Amnesty Kochanowski. The fire is planned for later this month or in May. Depending on conditions, approximately 165 acres will be burned in the West Side Unit which is along the western boundary of the park. The National Park Service's Northern Great Plains Fire Management Team...
Despite snow and frigid temperatures, the first annual "Heart of Gold" livestock show was held March 30 at the Crook County Fairgrounds in Sundance. Participants from Sundance Elementary learned about showing and the care of a variety of animals. These students were taught basic livestock care and show skills by members of Crook County 4-H and Bearlodge-Sundance FFA. The idea for the livestock show came from the National Association of Extension Youth Development Professionals annual conference...
