Dear Editor,

The Wyoming legislature apparently thinks it is OK to terrorize and run over wild animals with snow machines. Machines that weigh around 450 pounds and go 80 mph. Machines that break bones, internally injure, terrify and degrade animals. Often slobs on these monster machines turn around and run over the suffering animal again. The Wyoming legislature had a chance to curtail this and voted the bill out.

What is wrong with our politicians to be duped into believing this is a reasonable way to control predators? It is a very violent and sick recreational activity.

There are enough good marksmen in Wyoming to control predators with a swift clean shot.  Predator control should be the job of the Game and Fish Department, with capable huntsmen.  Ranchers should take care of their own problems in a humane manner. Predator control should not be left to a bunch of half-drunk, dim-witted, mean jerks on snowmobiles out for blood-sport.

Wyoming has suffered enough shame over the horrendous Cody Roberts wolf torturing incident in 2024. We are on all animal groups radar. It is time for Wyoming to take serious steps in curtailing animal cruelty. It should be against the law to run over animals with snowmobiles on federal land and also on private land. There needs to be a stop put to these horrific coyote derbies. These derbies brand “cruelty as fun.”

This and other animal welfare laws will eventually pass as people become more enlightened.  But as long as there are those that do not have enough conscience and decency to know what is right and wrong, we need laws to guide and punish the heartless.

It is too bad that the Wyoming citizens and their legislature could not have taken credit for acting humanely by passing this bill. At least our own legislator, Mike Schmid, from the southern side of Sublette County, proposed and fought for the bill. He is an avid hunter but has a code of honor and respect for animals.

Thank you Mike Schmid. We are very proud of you! 

Sincerely, Tara Miller, Miller Land and Livestock,

Big Piney, Wyo.