Dear Editor,

It is time once again to offer thanks to our hometown hero Cody Roberts. Following his one day of fun last February, quite a lot has happened. People from across the entire political spectrum have joined forces to advocate for wolves. Wild horse people and wolf advocates have found that they are natural allies. Dog trainers and cat rescuers have even come together on this issue!

On the state level, the Treatment of Predators Working Group was formed to look into what the legislature could do. Turns out, the Wyoming state legislature is willing to do next to nothing. But the great thing about those meetings was that they offered a forum where they could say the quiet parts out loud, on the record.

At the start of this, prominent Wyomingites claimed that this was a one-off incident and in no way reflected Wyoming’s true character. It ended with the legislature refusing to ban whacking because it is a cherished recreational activity, and Senator Cynthia Lummis claiming it is part of our “Western way of life” and not to be messed with.

Wyoming’s official refusal to even pretend to care has given a powerful boost to federal bills that do. Senate Bill S.5115, working with tribal governments, would give wolves, grizzlies and bison protections similar to what Bald Eagles have now. And the SAW (Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons) Act will ban the use of any motorized vehicles to run down wolves and coyotes. The SAW Act in particular is a straightforward, single issue, bipartisan bill with widespread support - giving it a good chance of passing.

When the day comes that whacking is banned at the federal level, I hope everyone will shake Cody’s hand and give him a hearty thanks for his service to the community.

Sincerely,

Kelly Ravner, Pinedale, Wyo.