Wyoming Bill to Ban Running Over Wolves and Coyotes with Snowmachines Fails

A recent bill that would have outlawed the practice of running over wolves and coyotes with snowmachines failed to pass in Wyoming, despite significant support from the hunting and conservation communities, Outdoor Life reports.

The proposal, which aimed to address both animal cruelty concerns and livestock management practices, faced strong opposition from the agricultural sector, which argues that the use of snowmachines is necessary for managing predators in rural areas.

The bill, introduced by Southwest Wyoming Rep. Mike Schmid, was in response to a highly publicized incident in Daniel, Wyoming, in which a man used a snowmachine to run over a wolf, duct taped its mouth shut, and paraded it at a local bar before shooting it. The disturbing images and video footage of the event sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for a boycott of the state. Schmid and others saw the bill as a way to help repair Wyoming’s image and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The proposed legislation sought to allow the running down of wolves and coyotes with snowmachines on private lands, while prohibiting it on public lands. This distinction was seen as impractical by many in the ranching community, including Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, who argued that livestock are often managed on a combination of federal, state, and private lands. According to Magagna, property lines should not be a factor when it comes to managing predators.

While some lawmakers disagreed with Schmid’s view, Sabrina King, a lobbyist for the Wyoming Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, expressed concern over the ethics of chasing down animals with snowmachines. King and her organization supported the bill to ban the practice, stressing that it violated principles of fair chase and was offensive to the hunting community. She also pointed out the inconsistency of the agricultural community’s position on property boundaries, noting that while property lines are used to enforce hunting laws, they are disregarded when managing predators.

Despite the failure of the bill, another piece of legislation, the Treatment of Animals bill, has gained traction. The bill, which has passed the House and is now in the Senate, focuses on preventing the torture of wildlife. It would require individuals to quickly kill any wild animal in their possession, aiming to prevent situations like the one in Daniel. However, some argue that this bill does not go far enough, as it still permits animals to be chased by snowmachines before they are killed.