Wolf Whacking May Stay Legal in Wyoming Despite Outrage

The sadistic pastime of running down wolves and other predators with snowmobiles may remain legal in Wyoming if Governor Mark Gordon has his way, despite recent international outrage.

In the wake of the horrifying Cody Roberts case this spring, which led to widespread condemnation of Wyoming's predator management laws, the Wyoming State Legislature and Governor Mark Gordon expressed support for finally passing legislation to outlaw "wolf whacking."

The Wyoming Legislature's Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee created a special subgroup to address the issue of killing wildlife with snowmobiles, called the Treatment of Predators Working Group.

The group was initially viewed with hope by animal activists in the state, as Committee Chair Rep. Liz Storer planned to bring in outside animal activists for a day of meetings to offer a more balanced perspective on the issue.

Unfortunately, before the committee's first meeting, Governor Gordon sent a letter to the working group members instructing them to “punish unacceptable behavior and deter acts of animal cruelty without interfering with the ability to manage predators.”

Following the Governor's message discouraging working group members from straying from "narrow, focused conversations on wanton animal cruelty," a new meeting agenda was published, excluding animal advocates from speaking.

This change in tone is deeply disheartening and out of step with the wishes of the people of Wyoming. Recent polling found that 73% of general election voters in the state believe that using snowmobiles to kill predatory species is unacceptable. This opinion is shared by hunters across the nation, with around 70 hunting organizations condemning the practice in a joint statement, noting, “That is not a method of take. That is not ethical, and that should not be legal.”

Currently, coyotes, red foxes, stray cats, jackrabbits, porcupines, raccoons, and striped skunks can be terrorized and killed in this manner anywhere in Wyoming. Wolves, an endangered species, are only safe from this brutality in 15% of the state.

This is unacceptable, and Governor Mark Gordon should do everything in his power to respect the will of the people of Wyoming by helping to ban wildlife “whacking” now.

Please consider reaching out to Governor Gordon directly to urge him not to go back on his word on this issue. Follow the link to his contact page, where you can give him a call, write a letter, or send a direct message through his contact form.

You can send him a message as simple as:

Dear Governor Gordon,

I am reaching out to ask you to do everything in your power to outlaw the practice of killing wildlife with snowmobiles in Wyoming. Please allow the Treatment of Predators Working Group to do their job and develop common-sense legislation to ban this activity.

This is not an ethical hunting practice and has been condemned by 70 different hunting organizations. Seventy-three percent of general election voters in the state also feel that using snowmobiles to kill predatory species is unacceptable. Supporting this legislation would respect the will of the people you represent.

Please do the right thing and help end this violence.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]