CHEYENNE—Sophomore representative Andrew Byron’s appointment to chair the House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee was a real honor.
The new authority also came with a readymade controversy.
In taking the helm at the outset of the session, Byron inherited a controversial bill set in motion by a Wyoming man’s decision to strike an adolescent wolf with a snowmobile, muzzle and collar it, then parade the badly wounded animal through a Sublette County bar for hours. Global outrage ensued and hadn’t abated last fall, when the previous configuration of the Travel, Recreation and Wildlife Committee signed off on a bill that explicitly sanctioned the practice of recreationally running over wildlife with snowmobiles but stiffened penalties for keeping struck, wounded animals alive.
Byron, a Republican whose district spans from southern Teton County into Lincoln County, didn’t like the proposal and he’d heard from many others who shared his misgivings.
“There were a lot of frustrations,” he told WyoFile. “None of the parties have come to me and said they were happy with the result.”
Using his new power as committee chair, Byron stymied the bill, keeping it in the metaphorical drawer (which, he said, “used to exist”). Then the real estate agent and fishing guide introduced his own, related measure, House Bill 275, “Treatment of animals,” which leadership referred to his committee.
The proposed law comes down hard on anyone who “knowingly, and with intent” causes “undue suffering, tortures, torments or mutilates any living wildlife, including predatory animals and predacious birds, after reducing the living wildlife to possession.” Such behavior would be classified as “felony animal cruelty” and carry penalties of up to two years in prison, loss of hunting and fishing privileges for up to six years, and forfeiture of equipment, including firearms and vehicles used in the act.
“I think we need to send a message loud and clear,” Byron said. “This was a big eyesore for the state. It was a big eyesore for sportsmen. It was an embarrassment.”
Notably, HB 275 does not propose any changes to statutes that allow for running over animals with snowmobiles or other motorized vehicles. The bill does, however, stipulate that snowmobilers who intentionally strike animals must “make a reasonable effort to immediately kill the injured or incapacitated animal.”
The proposal has already collected a diverse and powerful group of supporters. The all-Republican cast of cosponsors transcends the well-defined factions in the modern GOP, and include: Reps. Mike Schmid of La Barge, Daniel Singh of Cheyenne, J.D. Williams of Lusk, and Sens. Eric Barlow of Gillette, Lynn Hutchings of Cheyenne, Bill Landen of Casper, Tara Nethercott of Cheyenne and Jared Olsen of Cheyenne.
Landen chairs the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee on the Senate side, which bodes favorably for the bill.
Prospects unclear
But whether HB 275 makes it into law depends largely on whether it is met favorably by the broader Wyoming Freedom Caucus and its Wyoming Senate allies, which enjoy majorities in their respective chambers of the statehouse. In the House, the first chamber the legislation must navigate, legislative leaders and the state Freedom Caucus, which sometimes issues recommendations, have yet to weigh in on the bill.
“There’s no directive to tell anybody how to vote on that,” said Rep. Chip Neiman, the Republican speaker of the House. “That is strictly each individual legislator’s responsibility.”
If a Freedom Caucus recommendation did emerge, it would not come until HB 275 reached the floor. When issued, bill recommendations are based on a measure’s “effect,” whether it’s “constitutional,” whether it’s “conservative” and whether it’s “fiscally responsible,” according to Rep. John Bear, a past chair of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus who now chairs the Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee.
“I’d say that’s kind of the hierarchy of how those recommendations come down,” Bear told reporters at a recent press conference.
Although legislation stemming from the wolf torture incident has not been a Freedom Caucus priority, Neiman, who lives across the state from Sublette County in Hulett, knows that the world is watching.
“There are outside entities that have got their eyeballs looking at Wyoming,” the House speaker told reporters.
Those parties, Neiman said, are watching to see how Wyoming responds: “Are [we] going to let this happen and walk away and turn a blind eye?” he said. “These guys [in the Legislature] are out here trying to figure out how we can really address it.”
Behind the scenes
The push for HB 275, dubbed the “Clean Kill Bill,” is backed by a newly formed advocacy group, Wyoming Sportsmanship, which is led by Jonah Energy vice president and flyfishing guide Paul Ulrich.
“This isn’t saying you can’t hunt a predator — of course you can,” Ulrich said in a press release. “But it is saying that when you take that animal, you will dispatch it as a sportsman — without torture, abuse and reprehensible actions.”
Josh Coursey, who leads the Muley Fanatic Foundation, and Marilyn Kite, a former Chief Justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court, are partnering with Ulrich on Wyoming Sportsmanship, which is a registered nonprofit. The group even assembled a video featuring footage of the tortured wolf to promote their proposal.
In December, the organization commissioned Cygnal to conduct a survey gauging what voters and various groups made of the legislation. There was strong support: 78% of Wyoming residents liked the proposed change. Two-thirds of respondents even said they’d be more likely to vote for a state legislator who supported the bill.
As of midday Friday, only HB 275 and House Bill 3, “Animal abuse-predatory animals” — which was developed between legislative sessions, but has been kept in Byron’s drawer — have been introduced in response to the wolf torture incident.
It’s highly likely that more are coming.
Byron’s heard of up to six different bills related to the incident that are being considered.
Bill to ban ‘biling’ over wildlife?
Schmid, the representative from La Barge and HB 275 co-sponsor, is bringing one aimed at the Wyoming pastime of hunting coyotes and other predators with snowmobiles.
“It should be out today,” Schmid told WyoFile on Friday morning. “All I’m trying to do is make it illegal to use any over-the-ground motorized vehicle — ATVs, side-by-sides, or snowmachines — as a weapon to maim or kill any wildlife, including predators, on public ground.”
The livestock industry has pushed to keep snowmobiling over animals legal.
“I’ve talked with a number of livestock producers across the state — in particular, sheep producers — who have said that they view it as one of their most effective tools,” Wyoming Stock Growers Executive Vice President Jim Magagna told WyoFile last year.
Magagna’s lobbying was effective while the “Treatment of Predators Working Group” was working up the legislation that became HB 3. Gov. Mark Gordon even intervened, telling the ad hoc panel to, “Punish unacceptable behavior and deter acts of animal cruelty without interfering with the ability to manage predators.”
Schmid, who’s a former Wyoming Game and Fish commissioner, will attempt to placate those concerns and “protect the private landowners and ranchers.”
“If they need to use a snowmachine to manage their stock and their operations,” he said, “they’re allowed to do that on their private lands.”
Schmid’s forthcoming bill is inspired by the ethical code he adheres to as an avid hunter.
“I hear, ‘Well, it’s just a coyote,’” Schmid said. “But it is a living creature and it deserves the same respect as a bull elk or an iconic mule deer buck. That’s my opinion.”
“I just believe that’s not a way to treat an animal,” he added. “This wolf incident brought it to light, and it’s time to make a change.”
Correction: This story has been updated to correct the proposed penalties associated with House Bill 275. -Ed.
Wyoming was put to shame last year when the world seen how we treat wildlife, especially predator animals. It is shameful, disgusting and a complete disrespect for life, and we should do better. I agree with Rep. Mike Schmid when he says all animals, including predators, deserve the same respect as all living creatures on this planet and that running animals down with vehicles should be illegal, atleast on public lands. This bill is a start at regaining some respect for our wildlife and from the rest of the world watching though.
Anyone that takes pleasure in torturing a wild animal, will potentially be able to do the same with any other animal, or living being. It is a sign of total lack of empathy, which is what defines psychopathy. Psychopaths, such as serial killers, often started “practicing” with domestic animals, often in their childhoods. And real hunters don’t do that either.
I agree 100% with what these people are posting. I’ve lived in Wyoming my whole life and this torture and in humane killing of our wildlife and all of our animals here is horrendous! This cruelty has to stop!
HOW DO WE HELP STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY? WHERE IS THE NUMBER TO CALL? PETITION TO SIGN?? NAME OF PEOPLE TO VOTE OUT OF CONTROL? THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY, ALLOWING THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!! TELL US HOW TO STOP THIS
If a landowner is taking any support money from the US or State government, they are banned from participating in any use/awarding of “landowner tags”.
Yes, landowners are obviously providing food, cover and habitat for wildlife.
Yes, landowners can sell “trespass” rights to their land.
Yes, landowners can claim compensation for damage to their crops by wildlife.
No, landowners should not be allowed to sell the “people’s wildlife”.
The “N. American Model of Wildlife Management” has served The USA, and much of the civilized world, for years; formally recognised in 2001, it’s the guide for all wildlife, game and fish departments in the USA.
Thanks
Wyoming is off my “Places To Visit” list, until it ends its assault on wildlife in general and predators in particular.
The original HB 3 bill was lip service to the continued use of snowmobiles to run down and kill predators- there are numerous other ways for stockmen to protect stock. The real issue is that this practice is done for “fun” & “sport” -groups harass, torment, chase animals to exhaustion and then run them over until dead – this is the torture- this is what must be stopped.
We should understand that as human beings we harm OURSELVES with any type of cruelty — becoming less human when we willingly join the ranks of predators that we hypocritically disparage. As it is, no animal on the planet is as big a threat to anything’s survival as we are.
I thank Representative Mike Schmid of La Barge for his reasonable and laudable response to the torture (or simply inhumane treatment) of any animal but especially predators. It is incomprehensible to me that people could think such behavior is ever acceptable. Predators are simply “making a living” as every other animal is, including humans. Methods to control predators on private land must be humane. And on public lands predators have a significant role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystems.
“I hear, ‘Well, it’s just a coyote,’” Schmid said. “But it is a living creature and it deserves the same respect as a bull elk or an iconic mule deer buck. That’s my opinion.”
“I just believe that’s not a way to treat an animal,” he added. “This wolf incident brought it to light, and it’s time to make a change.” This encouraging statement about terminating the running over of predator species fades in light of HB0286 which would decimate mountain lions, bring unimaginable suffering to kittens and mothers with dependent young through trapping, snaring, and killing at all hours, 365 days a year. In some cases with out having a mountain lion license.
Do not allow this wolf pup to die in vain. Her death needs to inspire Wyoming to stop torturing wildlife. Yes, the world is still watching. Running over any living creature needs to be illegal. People like Cody Roberts need the proper punishment.
Yeah! for the bill to be introduced by Rep. Schmid. I was at several of the committee hearings and the public’s comments were completely ignored by committee members. Reasonable, sensible, and factual comments. Instead, they wanted to placated the “powers that be” in Wyoming; not the residents. Stop the killing on public lands. Thank you, Rep. Schmid.
Thanks BJ Peterson for your astute comments. I’d like to add that Chip Neiman has said there’s “no directive to tell anybody how to vote”. Does that mean that the National ‘Freedom’ Caucus hasn’t weighed in to direct the Wyoming ‘Freedom’ Caucus how to vote? What a shame.
Good article. I have traveled to Wyoming year after year consecutively with my husband from the east coast. Beautiful state. We spend thousands of dollars, year after year, in Wyoming, week after week on lodging, dining, entertainment, shopping, car rentals, gasoline, etc. However, after the story about Cody Roberts came out, about what he did, and especially about how the state did basically nothing to address this issue, that was it. Since the Cody Roberts issue last year we have been to California, New Mexico and Colorado, just this past year to spend our money. Just letting you know how strongly I am disgusted with wildlife management in Wyoming. I feel the same way about Montana and Idaho.
We have been all over out in those two states also, travelling, over the years and won’t go there again either. We are currently planning our next trip, and it is for California.
Just saying.
Meanwhile, the “pride” of Wyoming and his ilk are still down at the Daniel Bar, yukking it up. It was and still is a big joke to those types outside of Pinedale. Oh, another thought, Magnagna and his “hey buddy, can you spare a dime” $1.35 BLM welfare cowboys should stay out of it
“When issued, bill recommendations are based on a measure’s “effect,” whether it’s “constitutional,” whether it’s “conservative” and whether it’s “fiscally responsible,” according to Rep. John Bear” wow, I guess what your constitutes want or think is not important. Insufferable attitudes.
Frankly, I was extremely disappointed in the original proposal put forth by the previous configuration of the Travel, Recreation and Wildlife Committee. It was nothing more than a feeble attempt to dampen the outrage over our neanderthal acceptance of inhumane treatment of all wildlife, specifically predators. So I applaud our Representatives that are insightful enough to understand that the previous lackluster response is not acceptable. Let’s hope that their efforts come to fruition.
Good-we, as a state, HAVE to do better than this.