At the Sept. 30 meeting, the Wyoming State Legislature Joint Committee on Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources had the opportunity to address the public's overwhelming demand to ban snowmobiling over wildlife. 

Instead, lawmakers passed draft legislation requiring the quick dispatch of predators disabled by vehicles used to chase them down. Despite months of global outcry and testimony from concerned citizens, conservationists, and animal welfare advocates after the incident where a young wolf was not only disabled by a snowmobile but tortured in public afterwards, the committee’s watered-down bill falls short of any meaningful protections and would even codify running predators over with snowmobiles.

The bill, drafted by a working group with clear ties to special interests related to agriculture, lacks enforceability and fails to address the core issue: the cruelty inflicted on wildlife through this practice. Many who attended the meeting expressed frustration at the biased and undemocratic process, which left the voices of the public largely unheard.

Of the 15 public comments allowed, 13 strongly advocated for a ban on this widely opposed practice, but the voices of the two special interest representatives supporting the bill were given undue weight. Ten out of 12 committee members voted in favor, with two members absent. 

Not a single legislator acknowledged the cruelty of the state’s current laws allowing motorized vehicles to hunt down predators. The committee’s decision to punt this issue to general session  is a devastating blow to wolves and other predators in Wyoming, continuing the state’s legacy of ignoring calls for more humane wildlife management.

In response, Wildlife for All issued the following statement:

“It’s outrageous that despite overwhelming public outrage and the clear need for action, the committee has violated the trust of its constituents by offering a bill that does nothing to address the cruelty of running over wildlife with vehicles,” said Michelle Lute, Ph.D., executive director of Wildlife for All. “As winter and the forthcoming legislative session approaches, the urgency to take meaningful action grows. In light of this, and the overwhelming united front from wildlife stakeholders — whether they’re wildlife watchers or advocates or hunters—it’s unthinkable that the committee has opted for this weak and ineffective response that continues to leave Wyoming’s wildlife vulnerable.

“The committee’s process was undemocratic from the start, dominated by special interests and insiders while ignoring the voices of everyday Wyomingites and folks who love visiting the state because of its unparalleled natural heritage. But this fight is far from over. We’re building people power in Wyoming so that decision-makers will be forced to listen to their constituents and outlaw cruelty to wildlife once and for all.”

Wildlife for All is a national organization dedicated to reforming wildlife management to be more democratic, just, compassionate and focused on protecting wild species and ecosystems. Through research, advocacy, and education, we aim to protect wildlife and ensure that policies reflect the values of all Americans.