Defining aircraft for purposes of hunting prohibitions.

Plain English Breakdown

It is unclear from the official source how exceptions for disabled hunters will be implemented.

Defining Aircraft for Hunting Rules

This law defines 'aircraft' to include any flying machine and prohibits their use for hunting wildlife, except for predatory animals and government work.

What This Bill Does

• Defines 'aircraft' as any machine or device capable of atmospheric flight, including airplanes, helicopters, gliders, dirigibles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Prohibits the use of aircraft to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, kill wildlife, or aid in taking wildlife except for predatory animals and government work.

Who It Names or Affects

• Hunters who might use flying machines to hunt wildlife
• Government agencies that may need to use aircraft for lawful duties

Terms To Know

Aircraft

Any machine or device capable of atmospheric flight, including airplanes, helicopters, gliders, dirigibles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not specify how exceptions for disabled hunters will be implemented.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 23LSO-0111
Bill No.:

SF0033

Effective:

7/1/2023

LSO No.:

23LSO-0111

Enrolled Act No.:

SEA No. 0011

Chapter No.:

26

Prime Sponsor:

Joint Judiciary Interim Committee

Catch Title:

Defining aircraft for purposes of hunting prohibitions.

Subject:

Defines "aircraft" for prohibitions on their use related to hunting and wildlife.

Summary/Major Elements:

This bill defines "aircraft" to mean any machine or device capable of atmospheric flight including airplanes, helicopters, gliders, dirigibles or unmanned aerial vehicles.

The definition relates to prohibitions on harassing, pursuing, hunting, shooting or killing wildlife using an aircraft, or to aid in the taking of wildlife.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

23LSO-0111

ORIGINAL Senate

File No
.
SF0033

ENROLLED ACT NO. 11,

SENATE

SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2023 General Session

AN ACT relating to game and fish; providing a definition of "aircraft" for purposes of the prohibition on the use of aircraft for hunting and other purposes as specified; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 23
‑
3
‑
306(a) is amended to read:

23
‑
3
‑
306.

Use of aircraft, automobiles, motorized and snow vehicles and artificial light for hunting or fishing prohibited; exceptions; penalties.

(a)

No person shall harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, or kill any Wyoming wildlife except predatory animals with, from, or by use of any aircraft, automotive vehicle, trailer, motor
‑
propelled wheeled vehicle, or vehicle designed for travel over snow. No person shall use any aircraft, to aid in the taking of any Wyoming wildlife, except predatory animals, whether by spotting or locating the wildlife, communicating with any person attempting to take the wildlife, or by providing other aid to any person taking the wildlife. Nothing in this subsection shall apply to the use of any aircraft by governmental agencies, their employees, contractors or designees performing any lawful duties. The commission may exempt handicapped hunters from any provision of this subsection.
For purposes of this section "aircraft" means any machine or device capable of atmospheric flight including but not limited to an airplane, helicopter, glider, dirigible or unmanned aerial vehicle.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

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