4x4Wire

With a recent bear attack on an elk hunter north of Jackson, officials with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department are urging hunters in northwest Wyoming to be “bear aware” and take steps to avoid conflicts with bears. 

It’s hard to imagine that the rolling hills of Pole Mountain once had 75-mm military guns lined up for as far as the eye could see.

From 1879 to 1961, the Pole Mountain Unit of the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming was used as a target and maneuver area for military training. The Army and Air Force used the area to train soldiers and airmen in the use of weapons and munitions.

Today the Forest Service manages the 58,000-acre site for multiple-use. However, there remain unexploded munitions in the area. Every now and then, a citizen brings a military object to authorities for disposal.

The Army Corps of Engineers, with the Forest Service as a cooperating agency, is using satellite technology to detect and remove the munitions.

(Aug 20, 2009) - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Buffalo Field Office will reopen the Weston Hills recreation area on August 21 following an emergency closure on July 24 due to vandalism that destroyed a vaulted toilet.

The destroyed toilet remains on the site but has been welded shut for safety and law enforcement reasons and is no longer available for public use.

“I am pleased that we are able to open this popular recreation area in time for the antelope hunting season,” noted Buffalo Field Office Manager Duane Spencer. “We appreciate all the cooperation and support from the public.”

The Weston Hills recreation area consists of approximately 9,000 acres of BLM-administered public lands adjoining the Thunder Basin National Grassland. The area is jointly managed with the USDA Forest Service. Weston Hills is located 25 miles northeast of Gillette, Wyo. and is accessible via Wyoming Highway 59 North.