Wyoming Official Travelers Journal 2008 - (Page 20) Wildlife in View In a state that claims more cows than residents, you know you’re in for a wild encounter or two when you’re in Wyoming. The state is home to more than 600 species of wildlife, largely due to its diverse terrain. When you’re in the plains, foothills, high mountain ranges or even on the highway, you’re bound to see your fair share of creatures. Wherever you go, Wyoming’s untouched landscape makes it a mecca for those who enjoy watching the wild. Yellowstone National Park is definitely a favorite for scoping out bison, elk, coyotes, moose, mule deer, bighorn sheep, river otters and trumpeter swans. Though rare, you could come across a wolf, black bear or grizzly in these parts, as well. Another well-visited viewing spot is the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole. This 25,000-acre chunk of land becomes home to more than 7,500 elk from October until May each year. With 1,600 acres of open water and marshland, some 47 mammal species and nearly 175 bird species also inhabit this range. Wyoming is also the stomping grounds for about 3,500 wild horses, best seen at the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area near Lovell or in the Red Desert near Rock Springs. There are also prime places to view bighorn sheep, the best being the Whiskey Basin Habitat Area, near Dubois. In the high mountains of the Tetons, the Wind River Range and the Big Horn Mountains, you’ll likely come across such animals as pikas and yellow-bellied marmots, while the sagebrush-spotted plains abound with deer, coyotes, jackrabbits, cottontails and prairie dogs, not to mention pronghorn antelope, one of the most commonly seen Wyoming animals. In fact, more than 400,000 live here, constituting half of the world’s pronghorn population. Wherever you decide to roam, you certainly won’t be the only creature. So bring your binoculars, camera, zoom lenses and your sense of adventure. Wyoming’s wildlife is waiting. the Yellowstone, Madison and Firehole tossing their line in for brook trout, brown trout, cutthroats and rainbows. Farther south, fishermen dot the banks of the Snake River that winds its way through the ever-breathtaking Grand Teton National Park. It’s here that you’ll discover the aptly named Snake River Cutthroat. For more of an “in the sticks” experience, it’s easy to follow locals to their secret holes along rivers like the Green, North Platte and Tongue. More than just trout streams, the diversity of fishing in Wyoming stretches from powerful rivers to lazy creeks, from large lakes to tiny pools, from float fishing to wading. For those who prefer big-water fishing, Wyoming is home to some of the best lakes, including Flaming Gorge, Jackson, Fremont, Glendo, Pathfinder and Bighorn, to name a few. Or take your pick from the thousands of high alpine tarns that speckle the Wind River Range or the Bighorn Mountains. If you’re up for the hike, you just might find your own private lake for the day. We Dig Our Dinosaurs For the practicing paleontologist, the dinosaur hobbyist and just the regular visitor to Wyoming, the dinosaurs that once roamed this prehistoric landscape have left a thrilling record of fossilized remains. In fact, Wyoming is widely thought to have one of the richest fossil records in the nation. It’s also one of just a few states with an official state dinosaur, the Triceratops, and a state fossil, a fish called Knightia. Experts and novices have been pouring over dinosaur remains in Wyoming for many years in an effort to learn more about these “terrible lizards.” For many visitors to the state, the chance to get out and participate in the discovery is irresistible and available in many forms. If you want to learn about dinosaurs in the comfort of a museum, the University of Wyoming’s Geological Museum in Laramie is the place to begin. With several complete fossilized skeletons on display, the sheer size and power of these creatures become readily apparent to visitors as they stand in awe of the exhibits. If you’re interested in a hands-on learning experience, visit the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis. The folks here can set up expeditions to dig sites, where you’ll work alongside professional paleontologists searching for clues and remains. This data will help them piece together the details of existence and maybe even the reasons for the extinction of Wyoming’s dinosaurs. A number of different kinds of dinosaur remains are here, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, Pteradon, Apatosaurus, Allosaurus and others. Whether they ever unlock the mysteries remains to be seen, but there are sure plenty of exciting places in Wyoming where you can learn about and maybe even make a contribution to the field of paleontology. Where the Fishing’s Fine From blue-ribbon trout streams to world-class reservoirs, Wyoming is an angler’s paradise. Whether you’re an avid fly fisherman or you’ve never even picked up a rod, there’s a river, creek or lake that’s just your speed — with enough fish to keep your line busy all day. And for every river, there’s at least twice as many fly shops and tackle stores offering guided trips, or just insiders’ tips on the most productive water. Yellowstone is perhaps the most famous fishing spot in the state — a known mecca of American trout fishing. Anglers can be found along legendary rivers such as 20 Wyoming Official Travelers Journal
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