Leashed dogs for tracking-black bear.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on the impact of the bill on black bear populations or the success rate of hunters recovering wounded bears.

Using Leashed Dogs to Track Wounded Black Bears

This law allows hunters to use a leashed blood-trailing dog to track and recover a wounded or killed black bear within seventy-two hours of the hunt.

What This Bill Does

• Allows hunters to use one leashed blood-trailing dog to track a wounded or killed black bear.
• Limits this tracking to within seventy-two (72) hours after shooting the bear.

Who It Names or Affects

• Hunters who want to track wounded or killed black bears.

Terms To Know

Blood-trailing dog

A trained dog used to find and follow the scent of blood left by a wounded animal.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law only applies to tracking and does not allow dogs to be used in hunting black bears.
• It is unclear how this will affect bear populations or the success rate of hunters recovering wounded bears.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 26LSO-0203

Bill No.:

SF0027

Effective:

7/1/2026

LSO No.:

26LSO-0203

Enrolled Act No.:

SEA No. 0022

Chapter No.:

43

Prime Sponsor:

Landen

Catch Title:

Leashed dogs for tracking-black bear.

Has Report:

No

Subject:

Blood-trailing dogs tracking black bear.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act authorizes hunters to use leashed blood-trailing dogs to track a wounded or killed black bear.

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

26LSO-0203

ORIGINAL Senate

File No
.
SF0027

ENROLLED ACT NO. 22,

SENATE

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2026 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to game and fish; allowing a person to use a leashed blood-trailing dog to track and recover a killed or wounded black bear; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1
.

W.S. 23
‑
3
‑
109(d)(intro) is amended to read:

23
‑
3
‑
109.

Use of dogs; dogs injuring big or trophy game animals may be killed; citation of owners of dogs harassing game animals; penalties; leashed dogs for tracking.

(d)

A person may use one (1) leashed blood
‑
trailing dog to track a wounded or killed big game animal
or black bear
within seventy
‑
two (72) hours of shooting the animal. A person using a dog in this manner:

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2026
.

(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

1