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Lawmakers and constituents raise ethical, enforcement questions about long-range hunting technology
Summary
Representative McKay Erickson and others urged the Game and Fish Commission and Legislature to revisit how advancing hunting technologies affect fair chase and hunter ethics; lawmakers discussed limiting opportunities by weapon/special season instead of trying to police equipment.
A group of legislators and constituents asked the committee to consider policy responses to rapidly advancing long-range hunting technology, arguing the need to preserve fair chase, hunter ethics and public confidence in hunting.
Representative McKay Erickson said technology advances (long-range rifles, high-magnification optics and associated accessories) have accelerated since the last formal review in 2017 and expressed concern about impacts on fair chase, wounding rates and public acceptance. He said commissioners recommended interagency work rather than immediate legislation but asked the committee to press the issue because it is “urgent” in parts of Western Wyoming.
Panelists and committee members discussed enforcement practicality. Several committee members and witnesses (including former Game and Fish and law-enforcement speakers) said policing specific equipment in the field is difficult; they suggested the state could instead limit opportunity — for example by creating weapon-restricted seasons (archery-only, muzzleloader, short-range seasons) or imposing weapon restrictions in specific units or for limited quotas — as an enforceable alternative to an equipment ban. Senator Hicks and Representative Erickson discussed the feasibility of limiting opportunities (e.g., special seasons or restricted quota hunts) rather than trying to regulate equipment directly.
Public comments and legislative discussion emphasized local control, statutory clarity and a stakeholder process. Representative Erickson proposed updating the 2017 study, convening commissioners, and exploring limited-weapon seasons or unit-specific restrictions as immediate, enforceable options.
Ending: Committee members encouraged Game and Fish and stakeholders to continue work; Representative Erickson asked the commission to pursue updated research and suggested the Legislature consider vehicle- or season-based limitations if required. No statutory change was adopted at the hearing.
