HB0331 Taking of predators on public lands. | Wyoming Bill

Taking of predators on public lands.

AN ACT relating to game and fish; prohibiting persons from harassing, injuring or killing predatory animals with vehicles on public lands; authorizing persons to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot or kill predatory animals with or by use of vehicles on private lands as specified; requiring rulemaking; and providing for effective dates.

Agriculture

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text specifies that certain sections become effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law, but does not provide specific dates beyond this general statement.

Predator Control on Public Lands

This act makes it illegal to use vehicles to harass, injure or kill predatory animals on public lands but allows such actions on private lands. It also requires the game and fish commission to create rules for implementing this law.

What This Bill Does

Makes it against the law to use motorized vehicles to harm or chase predators like wolves or coyotes on public land.

Allows people to use motorized vehicles to control predator populations on their own private property.

Requires the game and fish commission to make rules about how this new law will work.

Who It Names or Affects

People who hunt or manage wildlife on public lands

The game and fish commission

Terms To Know

Predatory animals

Animals like wolves, coyotes, and other species that can harm livestock or threaten other wildlife.

Game and Fish Commission

The group responsible for managing fish and wildlife in Wyoming.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill is marked as inactive by the state of Wyoming, meaning it will not be considered further during this session.

It does not specify what happens if someone breaks these rules on public land.

Bill History

2025-03-03 House

H:Died in Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to HR 5-4

2025-02-10 House

H No report prior to CoW Cutoff

2025-02-10 House

H05 - Agriculture:Do Pass Failed 4-4-1-0-0

2025-02-03 House

H Introduced and Referred to H05 - Agriculture

2025-01-30 House

H Received for Introduction

2025-01-29 LSO

Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

25LSO-0753
2025
STATE OF WYOMING
25LSO-0753
Introduced
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0331

Taking of predators on public lands.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Schmid, Brown, G, Larson, JT, McCann, Singh, Storer and Webber and Senator(s) Hutchings

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to game and fish; prohibiting persons from harassing, injuring or killing predatory animals with vehicles on public lands; authorizing persons to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot or kill predatory animals with or by use of vehicles on private lands as specified; requiring rulemaking; and providing for effective dates.

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)

The following shall apply to the taking of wildlife:

(i)

When on a person's private land, n
o 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
;
.

(ii)

When on public land, no person shall:

(A)

Pursue, hunt, shoot or kill any Wyoming wildlife except predatory animals from or by use of any aircraft, automotive vehicle, trailer, motor
‑
propelled wheeled vehicle or vehicle designed for travel over snow;

(B)

Harass, injure or kill any Wyoming wildlife or predatory animals with an automotive vehicle, trailer, motor
‑
propelled wheeled vehicle or vehicle designed for travel over snow.

(iii)

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
;
.

(iv)

Nothing in this subsection shall apply to the use of any aircraft by governmental agencies, their employees, contractors or designees performing any lawful duties
;
.

(v)

The commission may exempt handicapped hunters from any provision of this subsection
;
.

(vi)

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.

The game and fish commission shall promulgate all rules necessary to implement this act.

Section 3.

(a)

Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, this act is effective July 1, 2025
.

(b)

Sections 2 and 3 of this act are effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution
.

(END)

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HB0331