Wyoming sportsman are under attack and current laws need updated to address the issue

Hunting and trapping are essential tools to manage healthy wildlife populations and reduce livestock predation. Wildlife management is funded primarily by sportsman (men and women) through licensing fees and sportsman donations of personal time and money. The cost of licensing fees has increased frequently in past years to fund increased costs for wildlife management. However, when theft, destruction and intentional tampering of legal sportsman activities occur, the current law enforcement penalties are not a sufficient deterrent due to being outdated. Anti-hunting and anti-trapping persons have a legal right to peacefully protest, however when theft, destruction and intentional tampering of legal sportsman activities occur, the current law enforcement penalties are not adequate.

There have been increased activities with tampering of sportsman’s trail cameras, hunting blinds, traps, snares, etc. by the anti-hunting and anti-trapping community and thieves in general. Stronger enforcement penalties are required and need to be updated to deter these criminal offenses. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission needs to revisit and properly update Wyoming state statutes to protect offenses against sportsmen, women, children and future generations of Wyomingites. These heritages are important to Wyoming residents and the Game and Fish Department for funding and managing wildlife. The current penalties for tampering, destroying or stealing are not a deterrent. Other state statutes allow for vehicle and/or firearm confiscation for convicted activities. Sportsmen need support from the Wyoming legislative body. Intentional tampering and crimes on legal sportsman activities must have statutory consequences sufficient for prevention or deterrence. Outdated laws need to be revisited and revised to properly update fines and/or jail time. Sportsman cameras, hunting blinds, traps, etc. often total over $1,000. Theft or intentional tampering should result in grand larceny (when applicable) and needs to be taken very seriously by law enforcement officials.

Proposal for stronger punishment

Establish a three-tier punishment system. This would have a first, second and third offense tiered system for any convicted illegal Game and Fish infractions to Wyoming sportsman. This also needs to include with up-to-date monetary fines, jail time and a mandatory community service program that would benefit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in wildlife habitat rehabilitation programs and various wildlife improvement projects within the State. Community service with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department would teach sportsman offenders the science behind sportsman activities and what it provides to maintain healthy wildlife habitats and populations.

1st Offense

A minimum $750 fine, reimbursement of sportsman’s costs, up to 30 days in jail, plus mandatory community service of 100 hours with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

2nd Offense

A minimum $1,000 fine, reimbursement of sportsman’s costs, up to 90 days in jail, plus mandatory community service of 150 hours with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

3rd Offense

A minimum of $1,500 fine, reimbursement of sportsman’s costs, up to 1 year in jail, plus mandatory community service of 200 hours with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Wyoming sportsman, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Legislative body need to come together to protect the lifestyle and recreational activities that Wyoming is known for. Approving strict laws to protect Wyoming sportsman is essential to keep Wyoming alive with all the great state of Wyoming has to offer both residents and nonresidents.