Wy Legislative Committe Accepts Bill That Allows For Running Over Coyotes

WYOMING LEGISLATIVE COMMITTE ACCEPTS BILL THAT ALLOWS FOR RUNNING OVER ANIMALS WITH VEHICLES

In a move that has sparked significant debate, the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources legislative committee in Wyoming has taken a wrong turn by forwarding a bill that controversially seeks to legalize the pursuit and running over of wildlife with vehicles.

Many Wyoming residents and others who are concerned with Wyoming’s wildlife spoke yesterday in favor of the committee discussing and adopting language that would prohibit the action of chasing and injuring or killing wildlife with vehicles. However, the committee chose not to discuss any of those ideas or comments and instead only discussed and adopted the bill with its current language with two added amendments. One amendment would add a consequence of potentially losing hunting privileges for zero to three years if found guilty of violating this new subsection. We thank Senator Mike Gierau for introducing the amendment for loss of hunting privileges as it does give more weight to the law. However, this bill still needs a lot of work to fully prohibit animal cruelty to wildlife.

Here is the language as it stands:

(b) Any person who intentionally injures or disables a predatory animal as defined by W.S. 23-1-101(a)(viii) by use of an automotive vehicle, motor-propelled wheeled vehicle, or vehicle designed for travel over snow shall upon inflicting the injury or disability immediately use all reasonable efforts to kill the injured or disabled predatory animal. Any person who fails to immediately use all reasonable efforts to kill an injured or disabled predatory animal as required by this subsection commits cruelty to animals.

The main issue with the above is that a person can injure or disable a predatory animal and it is within the limits of the law as long as they use “all reasonable efforts to kill an injured or disabled predatory animal.”

The next step in the process is that this bill will stay in the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources committee until the committee meets again in January when the legislative session begins. Depending on who wins their elections will determine which members stay on the committee or new members are added. In the meantime, we will be continuing conversations with legislators and residents throughout the state to get a better bill that actually prohibits cruelty to wildlife.

READ THE DRAFT BILL HERE

WATCH THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HERE

GRIZZLY CONFIDENTAL TALK TONIGHT AT THE JH BOOK TRADER

In Grizzly Confidential, author Kevin Grange—former paramedic and park ranger at Yellowstone and Grand Teton—comes face-to-face with North America’s most fearsome predator, Ursus Arctos.

His quest takes him from his home in the Tetons to an eerie, mist-shrouded island of gigantic bruins; from the Bear Center at Washington State University—where scientists believe the secrets of hibernation might help treat diabetes, heart disease, and obesity in humans—to the dark underbelly of for-profit wildlife parks, illegal animal trade and black markets hawking bear bile.

Grizzly Confidential is about bears but also the inspiring people who look after them. This is a fast-paced, gripping story that educates, entertains, and gives a sneak peek into the secret life of a well-known species. Part science, part travelogue, and a passionate plea for bear conservation, Grizzly Confidential is a lively account for anyone who loves the outdoors and learning about the natural world.

Come grab a copy of Grizzly Confidential and hear Kevin present on his adventures with bears. 6-8 pm at the JH Book Trader. Free and open to the public.