Walter Earl Durand was born in January 1913 in Powell, Wyoming. His parents were farmers, and he grew up in a rural environment. From a young age, he learned about farming and hunting, skills that would shape a significant part of his early life.

During the years following the Great Depression, Durand became known as a mountain man. He lived off the land in the mountains of Wyoming. This lifestyle was marked by a strong connection to nature and a self-sufficient attitude. However, his relationship with the law was complicated. Durand did not believe in the new hunting license system that was introduced, and he was arrested for poaching elk.

Walter Earl Durand was involved in a series of violent incidents during an 11-day manhunt. After escaping from jail in Cody, Wyoming, he returned to his house. When police officers arrived to take him back to jail, he shot and killed two of them. Following this, he armed himself and fled into the Beartooth Mountains.

A posse of ten men was formed to capture him. Durand confronted and killed two of these posse members. The manhunt expanded to include the FBI, sharpshooters, and even the Wyoming National Guard, showcasing the urgency of the situation. Civilians and an airplane equipped with tear gas and bombs were also enlisted in the search for him.

Durand managed to evade authorities for several days. During this time, he stole a vehicle and drove to Powell, where he attempted to rob a bank. He fired shots at the bank's windows and walls and took several hostages. In the chaos, one hostage was killed by a citizen trying to intervene. Eventually, Durand was shot by Tip Cox. He crawled back into the bank and ultimately took his own life with a gunshot to the neck.