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SF0085

Wyoming Law on Penalties for Big Game Violations

Last scannedOct 19, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law makes a third or subsequent conviction for taking or destroying big game animals within ten years a felony and clarifies how convictions from the same event are counted.

What it does

  • It keeps the first and second violations as misdemeanors with fines and possible jail time.
  • It makes a third or later violation within ten years a felony.
  • It sets the felony penalty at a fine of $5,000 to $10,000 and up to two years in prison.
  • It counts multiple convictions from the same occurrence as one single conviction.
  • It specifies that criminal provisions for use of a firearm during a felony do not apply to convictions under these sections.

Who it affects

  • People who knowingly take specific big game animals without a license or during a closed season.
  • People who wantonly take or destroy big game animals.
  • Courts and law enforcement agencies handling these cases.

Limits and unknowns

  • The law only applies to violations that happen after July 1, 2011.
  • The text does not explain how to prove an animal was taken 'wantonly' or 'knowingly.'
  • The law does not change the rules for hunting licenses or seasons.

Plain language

Terms to know

Big game animal
Animals like elk, deer, moose, antelope, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mountain lion, grizzly bear, or black bear.
Felony
A serious crime that can result in more than one year in prison.
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime that usually results in a fine or less than one year in jail.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Bill No.: <billno> Drafter: <drafterinit> Bill No.: SF0085 Drafter: LGC LSO No.: 11LSO-0446 Effective Date: 7/1/2011 Enrolled Act No.: SEA0088 Chapter No.: Prime Sponsor: Senator Burns Catch Title: Game and fish violations-penalties. Subject: Increasing penalties for game and fish violations. Summary/Major Elements: Under current law, any person who knowingly takes an antlered elk, deer or moose, horned antelope, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mountain lion, grizzly bear or black bear without a license or during a closed season is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000, or both. Under current law, any person who wantonly takes or destroys a big game animal is guilty of a high misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, a fine of not more than $10,000, or both. This act makes a third or subsequent conviction of either provision within ten years a felony punishable by a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000, imprisonment for not more than two years, or both. For purposes of determining whether a violation is a felony, convictions resulting from the same occurrence shall be considered a single conviction even if the result of the occurrence is more than one misdemeanor conviction. This act specifies that criminal provisions for use of a firearm during a felony do not apply to convictions under these sections.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 8:34 PM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment because they believe two offenses should not result in felony charges, and shifting to a third offense prevents accidental or unintended applications of the law.

Public statementFloor statement at 30:44 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment as a sensible measure to prevent rushing into creating new felonies for people who make mistakes or face overzealous prosecution.

Public statementFloor statement at 39:13 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the amendment because it allows individuals to commit multiple violations in one day without facing felony charges, which they believe goes too far.

Public statementFloor statement at 39:13 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment because creating lifetime felonies for youthful mistakes is unconscionable, and existing misdemeanor penalties are already severe enough.

Public statementFloor statement at 41:56 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

7 roll calls

H Adopted JCC01 55-4-1-0-02011-03-02 · House55 yes 4 no
S Adopted JCC01 18-11-1-0-02011-03-01 · Senate18 yes 11 no
S Did Not Concur 11-15-4-0-02011-02-24 · Senate11 yes 15 no
H Passed 3rd Reading 47-11-2-0-02011-02-24 · House47 yes 11 no
H06 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 8-1-0-0-02011-02-14 · House8 yes 1 no
S Passed 3rd Reading 21-9-0-0-02011-02-02 · Senate21 yes 9 no
S06 Recommended Do Pass 4-1-0-0-02011-01-27 · Senate4 yes 1 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter NumberLSO
  2. Governor Signed SEA0088Governor
  3. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0088House
  4. S President Signed SEA No. 0088Senate
  5. Assigned Number SEA0088LSO
  6. H Adopted SF0085JC01House
  7. S Adopted SF0085JC01Senate
  8. H Appointed JCC01 MembersHouse
  9. S Appointed JCC01 MembersSenate
  10. S Did Not ConcurSenate
  11. S Received for ConcurrenceSenate
  12. H Passed 3rd ReadingHouse
  13. H Passed 2nd ReadingHouse
  14. H Passed CoWHouse
  15. H Amendments AdoptedHouse
  16. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  17. H Placed on General FileHouse
  18. H06 Recommended Amend and Do PassHouse
  19. H Introduced and Referred to H06House
  20. H Received for IntroductionHouse

Changes

Amendments

4 stored

SF0085HS001

Adopted, Corrected Standing Committee by H06

SF0085S3001

Adopted 3rd reading by ROTHFUSS

SF0085S3002

Adopted 3rd reading by PERKINS

SF0085S3003

Adopted 3rd reading by DRISKILL