Starting June 12th, 2025, Jonas Black, dog trainer and wildlife advocate, led the second annual Hogs for Hope motorcycle ride, traveling from Austin, Texas to Daniel, Wyoming. This was the promise he made in May, 2024, to come back to Wyoming every year until our legislature changes the laws that allow torture to wildlife. Last year, after the Cody Roberts incident in Daniel, Jonas Black led a caravan to Daniel, showing up to widespread opposition from the towns people. Then early in 2025 the Wyoming legislature passed HB 275 which explicitly sanctioned the practice of recreationally running over wildlife with snowmobiles; but as a concession, stiffened penalties for keeping the wounded animal alive. It must be killed as quickly as possible. The Hogs for Hope journey was powerful; organized by Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, Wolf and Wildlife Advocates, and the Wildlife Outlaws, this was a fundraising and awareness effort aimed at changing Wyoming laws to better protect wildlife from the egregious practice of running down, maiming, and killing our wildlife with motorized vehicles. The ride was a huge success, with all proceeds going directly toward policy change efforts in the state. We were quite the formidable caravan with more than 40 vehicles and bikes riding together through the state of Wyoming.
Jonas Black met with lawmakers during the ride to discuss the urgent need for stronger legal protections for wildlife, and conversations remain ongoing. There is a strong sense of optimism that change is on the horizon. We were met with overwhelming support from communities across Wyoming, with only a small, isolated display of opposition at the Daniel Bar where a banner praising Cody Roberts was present. Elsewhere, we were greeted with open arms by residents who shared their concern for wildlife welfare. In Rock Springs, we had a very warm welcome from the team at Badass Brews where we had dinner one evening. The journey concluded in Jackson with a gathering at the Mangy Moose and a deeply moving memorial for Hope the Wolf, held at the Mount Moran Overlook in Grand Teton National Park – a fitting tribute to the wolf whose story helped inspire the movement. Hogs for Hope is becoming a symbol of compassion and resilience in the fight to protect wildlife, and its impact continues to grow. A ride is planned each year until the laws are changed. Yote-whacking concerns the majority of Wyoming citizens. Legislation to make it illegal WILL reappear.
Who doubles down on wildlife torture? Running animals over with vehicles does not support local ranchers. Patrons at the Green River Bar in Daniel wore t-shirts in support of vehicular chasing of wildlife. Only a handful of people were present at the Green River Bar that day. We have heard from a lot of people in Daniel and Sublette County who support the ride and banning of wildlife torture. Representative Mike Schmid from Sublette County is very much in support of a legislative bill to ban vehicular killing in Wyoming. We will continue to be working with legislators and decision-makers in Wyoming to get this legislation passed.
