
Wyoming amends law to allow vehicles to be used to kill wolves, igniting a heated controversy in the state.
At a Glance
- A man faced only a $250 fine for illegally possessing wildlife after running down a wolf.
- The proposed bill imposes penalties for some cases, including $1,000 fines and loss of privileges.
- Ranchers support vehicle use for wolf management, while conservationists fiercely oppose it.
- The legislation mandates the animal must be killed immediately if struck by a vehicle.
Minor Amendment Sparks Major Outrage
Wyoming’s decision to allow vehicles for killing wolves has rekindled the age-old conflict between ranchers and wildlife conservationists. The state’s legislative committee recently advanced a bill that maintains the legality of running down wolves with vehicles. This move follows the public outcry over a man who faced only a $250 fine for running down a wolf with a snowmobile.
Supporters, including the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, argue that this amendment provides an essential tool for protecting livestock. “What we’ve seen in recent years after decades of managing predators is, little by little, we’re seeing attacks on the tools that we use,” Magagna said, emphasizing the need for practical methods of predator control.
However, the public largely opposes the bill, primarily due to concerns over animal cruelty and the inhumanity of such acts. Critics like Meyer argue, “This bill should read, ‘Do not run over anything, in any way, for any reason.’ Arguing over whether it’s humane or the timeline or whether you should do it or shouldn’t do it, the fact that you are running over anything with any vehicle is in itself inhumane.”
https://twitter.com/nywolforg/status/1840823528536621295
This is all kinda weird, isn’t it?
Balancing Livestock Protection and Conservation
The new bill also stipulates that if a predator is struck by a vehicle, the driver must make “all reasonable efforts” to kill the animal immediately. Failure to do so could result in felony animal cruelty charges, including penalties up to a $1,000 fine and loss of hunting and fishing privileges for up to three years. Despite these stipulations, the controversy rages on as many question whether the bill does enough to curb potential abuses.
Critics and wildlife advocates warn that this measure could lead to indiscriminate and brutal killings, undermining broader conservation efforts. “Do you want to be known as the state that legalized running down animals for sport?” Denver-area wildlife photographer Bill Masure asked, summing up the core of the public’s concerns.
Economic Interests vs. Ethical Concerns
The Wyoming Stock Growers Association has defended its stance, condemning the snowmobile incident while labeling it an isolated event. They argue the amendment helps prevent significant economic losses attributable to wolf depredation. Yet investigations into such incidents show alarming gaps; for example, the man involved in the wolf-running incident faced only minor consequences, and witnesses have generally been uncooperative.
Despite these assurances from advocates, the public’s outrage has led to calls for boycotting Wyoming’s tourism industry. The controversy is far from over as the legislature gears up for further discussions on this contentious bill.