Wyoming's HB0003 Falls Short on Protecting Wildlife from Vehicle Pursuit
The Wyoming Legislature is currently considering House Bill 0003, which aims to address the issue of pursuing and killing wildlife with vehicles. While the bill represents an acknowledgment of this problematic practice, it contains concerning gaps that could actually enable rather than prevent vehicle-based wildlife killing.
Codifying Vehicle Pursuit of Wildlife
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of HB0003 is that rather than implementing a clear ban on using vehicles to pursue and kill wildlife, the bill effectively codifies this practice by not criminalizing the pursuit of animals with a motor vehicle. The bill as written allows someone to pursue and run over a predator using a vehicle as long as they kill it immediately afterward. By creating specific exemptions and conditions under which vehicles can be used to pursue and kill animals, the legislation risks legitimizing and providing legal framework for this cruel practice rather than ending it.
The Snowmobile Problem
The bill is particularly problematic regarding snowmobile use. During Wyoming winters, snowmobiles provide access to remote areas that serve as critical wildlife refuges. These vehicles can reach speeds that make it impossible for exhausted animals to escape through deep snow. When animals are pursued in winter conditions, they're forced to expend precious energy reserves needed for survival. The action of pursuing an animal through deep snow with a snowmobile is not ethical nor is it fair chase.
Predator Classification Concerns
One of the most concerning aspects of the proposed legislation involves its treatment of predators. Under Wyoming law, "predators" includes not only wild animals but also stray domestic cats. This classification creates a dangerous loophole where pets that have strayed from their homes could legally be pursued and killed by vehicles. The emotional and ethical implications of legally permitting vehicles to run down lost pets are deeply troubling.
Impact on Ranching Communities
While predator control is a legitimate concern for Wyoming's ranching communities, modern agriculture has evolved far beyond needing to chase animals with vehicles. Today's ranchers have access to numerous effective alternatives, including:
- Guardian animals like dogs and llamas
- Advanced fencing systems
- Professional wildlife management services
- Proactive deterrent measures
The Need for Stronger Legislation
To truly protect Wyoming's wildlife and domestic animals, the legislature needs to craft a bill that:
1. Implements a clear, unambiguous ban on using vehicles to pursue and kill wildlife
2. Removes exemptions that could be exploited to continue this practice
3. Specifically addresses snowmobile use in wildlife harassment
The time has come for Wyoming to take a firm stand against using vehicles to pursue and kill wildlife. While HB0003 represents a step toward acknowledging this issue, it falls significantly short of providing the comprehensive protections our wildlife deserves. The legislature must strengthen this bill - or craft a new one - to ensure it achieves its presumed goal: ending the cruel and unnecessary practice of using vehicles to pursue and kill animals.
Wyoming Residents Are Supportive of Changes
In a legislative committee meeting last September, residents testified that the current practices allowed by law are not reflective of the values of Wyomingites.
Sublette County resident Paul Ulrich also testified. Although a vice president with oil and gas producer Jonah Energy, he addressed lawmakers as an individual, questioning Wyoming statutes that allow predator species to be killed “in any manner” and suggesting they amend it.
“I don’t believe it should be a legal practice in Wyoming,” he told WyoFile. “I do believe there are many effective ways to control and manage our predators, versus running them over with a snowmobile.”
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