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Committee approves allowing leashed blood‑trailing dogs to recover black bears
Summary
Senate File 27 would add black bear to the list of animals that may be tracked with a leashed blood‑trailing dog under existing time, leash‑length and visibility requirements. The committee approved the bill unanimously and will send it to the Senate.
The Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee voted unanimously to advance Senate File 27, which adds black bear to the statute permitting the use of leashed blood‑trailing dogs to track and recover animals.
Chief Dan Smith of the Game and Fish Department told the committee the 2019 law allowing blood‑trailing dogs for "big game" currently applies to antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose and mountain goats but does not include black bear. The proposed change would let hunters use a leashed trailing dog to find an injured or downed black bear under the same constraints that govern big‑game recovery: dogs used within 72 hours, leashed no more than 50 feet, and handlers wearing fluorescent clothing.
"This simply allows black bear hunters to do the same," Chief Smith said, adding he did not anticipate additional workload for wardens or enforcement because the activity would be regulated the same way as other trailing operations.
Supporters including the Wyoming Wildlife Federation described the change as an ethical tool for hunters to recover animals and avoid lost meat and unnecessary waste. Jess Johnson said trained dog teams have successfully recovered game and that allowing the same recovery for black bear would protect hunter ethics.
The committee approved the bill by recorded vote and will forward SF27 to the Senate for further consideration.
