Last Thursday, March 6, the Wyoming 2025 37-day Legislative Session adjourned sine die. This means the session is completed for the year.
It was another quiet legislative session for sportsmen in The Cowboy State. Several sportsmen-related bills were introduced but only three made it to Governor Mark Gordon, which he already signed into law.
House Bill 45 removes otters from the definition of “protected animals for the purposed of hunting regulations.” HB 45 was signed into law on February 24.
House Bill 211 authorizes the hunting of wildlife from a vehicle if the wildlife does not require a license or permit to take, is not protected under Wyoming law, and is not classified as threatened or endangered by federal wildlife regulations. HB 211 was signed into law on March 3.
House Bill 275 amends the crime of and penalty for cruelty to animals concerning wildlife. The bill also clarifies that, for this new offense, the immediate killing of living wildlife isn’t a violation, and nothing for this new offense is to be construed to require a snare or trap be checked earlier than required under current law and rule. HB 275 was signed into law on March 3.
We previously reported on House Bill 234 passing the House by an overwhelming vote of 56 to 3. Unfortunately, the Senate did not agree and failed to pass the bill by a vote of 14 to 17.
HB 234 would have strengthened sportsmen’s credit card purchase privacy by prohibiting credit card processors from using or assigning an MCC to any merchant that is a seller of firearm accessories or components and not just firearms and ammunition. It will also require the attorney general to investigate allegations of credit card processors of assigning MCCs to retailers in Wyoming.
On our interactive legislative map, you can view the bills the Sportsmen’s Alliance monitored during the legislative session. Please share this message with your family and friends as sportsmen throughout Wyoming must continue to stay actively involved to defend our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage for present and future generations to enjoy.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance guarantees hunting, fishing and trapping for the American sportsman now and forever. We’re there when sportsmen need us most. We are the only organization specifically created to protect the individual hunter, angler and trapper – no matter the threat. We will never compromise when it comes to defending our way of life in the courts, in the legislatures, in the public square and at the ballot box. We make this promise to the American sportsman: we will never give up and never give in while proudly securing our future against those seeking to destroy our values, beliefs, and traditions. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
