CHEYENNE—Rep. Mike Schmid is continuing his quest to prohibit recreationally running over wildlife with snowmobiles, an activity that’s legal and commonplace in the corner of western Wyoming where he lives.
The La Barge Republican has tried for such a ban before, efforts that stem in part from a constituent who put a spotlight on the practice. Daniel resident Cody Roberts, who soon faces trial, acquired the wolf that led to a felony animal cruelty charge by allegedly running it over with a snowmobile before taking it to a local bar.
When the Wyoming Legislature last convened in 2025, Schmid twice worked to advance measures that would prohibit chasing and striking predatory species like red foxes and coyotes with snowmachines. The measures were opposed by some members of the livestock industry who say the tactic is needed to reduce conflict, and the lawmakers voted them down. Then, after the legislative session, the Lincoln County representative again tried and failed to get a legislative committee to study a proposed ban and sponsor a bill.
On Wednesday, Schmid filed House Bill 153, “Taking of predators on public lands,” which proposes adding a new clause to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s governing statutes.
“When on public land, no person in the state of Wyoming shall intentionally harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, 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,” the bill language states.
Schmid told WyoFile he’s “going to keep pushing” the issue.
“It’s not going to affect coyote hunters,” he said. “They can still pursue. They just can’t use the machine as an intentional weapon.”
The proposed change to statute would apply only to public land so that livestock producers could continue to use snowmobiles in defense of their sheep and cattle, Schmid said.
“We don’t want to hurt the agriculture business,” he said. “The people that probably abuse this more than anybody, in my opinion, are recreational riders that come in from out of state.”
Despite Schmid’s efforts to accommodate livestock producers, some within the industry say the bill’s language is overly broad and misses the mark. Sublette County woolgrower Cat Urbigkit, who ran against Schmid last election, remarked on Facebook that the bill is “poorly crafted” and “should be killed.”
“My state representative just proved that he doesn’t represent my interests at all,” Urbigkit wrote in her post. “He is the sole sponsor of a bill that would outlaw the harassment or pursuit of predators on public land with the use of any vehicle that travels over snow. That many ranches operate on interspersed land ownership and we routinely intentionally harass predators to keep them away from our livestock apparently doesn’t matter.”
Others are supporting Schmid’s latest bid for a ban. Jackson Hole wildlife activist Lisa Robertson pointed out that lawmakers have been trying and failing to end the brutal form of hunting since 2019.
“This could be a simple solution to preventing injuries and deaths of wildlife and predatory animals caused by vehicles, including snowmobiles,” Robertson told WyoFile in a text message. “We should all be able to support this.”
House Bill 153 must receive two-thirds support in the Wyoming House of Representatives to advance. The deadline for bill introductions is this Friday.
For more legislative coverage, click here.
I find it barbaric that this method of maiming or killing wildlife is permitted. What type of an egotistical, thrill seeking psychopath do you have to be to think this is a humane idea and then do it? And what type of society structure would permit such ridiculous, unnecessary behavior? I am at a loss as to what the hell people are thinking in Wyoming.
There is a right and wrong way to do things!! This is very cruel!! I have always hated this even when I was a small child!! What is wrong with people?!?!
Please make it stop, this is cruelty no other word for it.
Unfortunately, I don’t think that the 4th time will be the charm. I can see domestic livestock owners giving it a thumbs down, and like it or not, we still have a lot of ranchers in our state government.
It’s hard to believe anybody would do such cruelty but the spotlight put on that sick man Cody Roberts ought to have ended this abomination and unconscionable cruelty. The idea of running over coyotes fix or wolves with snowmobiles is revolting. It’s the stuff of nightmares
Indefensible
Please continue to fight crimes against wildlife.
recently i was walking up the gros ventre road in the btnf, and stopped to read the sign at horsetail creek. it is not an old falling apart sign. one of the regulations states: operating a snowmobile in a manner which damages the land, wildlife or vegetative resources is prohibited (36 CFR 261.15 (h)).
this is a Code of Federal Regulations, which states: It is prohibited to operate any vehicle off National Forest System, State or County roads: (h) In a manner which damages or unreasonably disturbs the land, wildlife, or vegetative resources. it was last amended 2/9/26.
any comments from anyone ofnthis discrepancy from wyoming recent law?
True hunters want a clean kill & harvest the meat. Or ranchers & farmers reduce predation in their herds.
Real hunters don’t get thrills from terrorizing animals for sport.
Another cowardly act that harms hunting activities
Thank you for this reporting. Now I know who in the house to thank for these efforts.
It is sad that this even needs to be legislated. How can a normal person find joy in such cruelty?
I do hope fourth time is the charm but after spending three days watching the “freedom” caucus in the legislature, I am only modestly hopeful. Then again sincere FC is being run by out of state interests (who probably view this as barbaric)maybe it will pass. One can hope. Grateful people like Lisa Robertson care and work relentlessly to protect animals. Ending trapping would be amazing too.
I would love to see just one article from Mike that is unbiased. Come on man , you have so much talent and you report on interesting topics It would just be amazing if you could just leave your agenda behind.
Thanks for reading, Lewis. If you’re open to sharing what you think is biased, I’d like to hear. mike@wyofile.com
Mike I think you do a great job of reporting. It is time someone writes about issues effecting all wildlife in Wyoming. I have lived in NW corner of state over 50 years and we are losing our wildlife and ungulate herds up here. Keep up the good works.
PS: And I am conservative MAGA supporter
Lewis, his cheatgrass article was pretty good. There’s “just one”. 🙂
Aren’t you the guy, that lives in Helena, MT, that complained (in public comments) about people trying to push an “out of state agenda” on MT citizens (regarding trapping regulations)?