Wyoming Closes the Wombat Influencer’s Hunting Case 🧑‍⚖️

ven•a•tic: fond of or living by hunting

NORTH AMERICA’S MOST-READ OUTDOOR NEWSLETTER

In the event that the weekend wasn’t quite long enough for you, here’s to hoping that your favorite dispatch from the outdoor world can give you 5-or-so minutes to prep yourself for yet another week.

So, without further ado, let’s grab that coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past few days. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

SLAP MEETS WRIST
WYOMING CLOSES THE WOMBAT INFLUENCER’S HUNTING CASE

In what has become an international spectacle, Wyoming’s portion of the program is now officially closed. It was on Thursday of last week in Sublette County court that the 26-year-old influencer who set off a firestorm in the land down under after she snatched a baby wombat, pleaded no contest to a single hunting charge.

This investigation, which had nothing really to do with the wombat controversy in Australia, was kicked off after a Stop Poaching tip surfaced last summer. According to reports, at the time, Game and Fish was told that Strable had “continued to buy resident tags even though she hasn’t resided in Wyoming for over two years — and bragged about it on social media to over 90,000 followers.”

West Virginia elk are roaming farther as restored herd grows: The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced Sunday that tickets are available for its 2026 Elk Management Tours, which begin Sept. 13 and run on weekends through Oct. 24. The four-hour excursions take visitors into elk country in Logan County, where the animals have become an increasingly visible part of a landscape from which they disappeared more than a century ago.  Read the full story.

Kansas wildlife officials approve fee hike, hunting rule changes:  The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks approved several changes to its hunting regulations and state park fees during a meeting on Thursday. Starting Nov. 1, state park fees will increase for vehicle permits, overnight camping and utilities. Annual camping permits will be eliminated.  Read the full story.

MS hunters catch monster alligator nearly 700 pounds after fight for hours:  A group of Mississippi hunters didn't quite realize what they were getting into when they hooked a massive alligator on the opening night of the hunting season and after it was all over, the tag-holder said it may be time to call it quits. Read the full story.

Federal grant expands Access Yes hunting program: Idaho Fish and Game has received a $1.65 million federal grant to expand its Access Yes program, which allows private landowners to open their land for public hunting and fishing. Read the full story.

Outlaw hunting guide guilty of illegally baiting pond: The investigation revealed several hunters who had paid to hunt at Pull Two Ranch reported that baiting the pond with corn was standard procedure. One had questioned Bowers about the illegal baiting, and Bowers responded with “that’s how we get all the ducks.” Read the full story.

😂 I’ve never seen a bird flush quite like that. Watch as this bird does just about the smartest thing I’ve ever seen a game bird do.

Safest place to be, really…

It’s hard to imaging that there was a time when popcorn was not allowed in movie theaters. Can talking about death actually help us live a better life? Why taking a poop was a ‘group activity' back in ancient Rome. And some forgotten crafts from the ‘80s.

Hopping into a new week/month

📸 by @kenandersonphotography

Oh, and one more thing…