Wyoming’s New Hunting From Vehicle Law Isn’t A Big Change

Wyoming recently passed House Bill 0211, a law allowing people to hunt certain animals from aircraft, automotive vehicles, trailers, and motor-propelled wheeled vehicles or snowmobiles.

So, what does that mean?

No, you can't shoot an elk, deer, antelope, duck, goose, moose, or any other game animal. If you need a license or a permit to hunt the animal, the animal is protected, or the animal is endangered, you still can't shoot it from a vehicle.

Not many animals can be shot from a vehicle in Wyoming; most are predatory and non-game animals, like coyotes or prairie dogs. Now, with the passing of HB0211, you could shoot prairie dogs from your truck...BUT there are a couple of things to remember.

Just because it's legal to shoot from a vehicle doesn't mean you can shoot from a public road or highway or within 30 feet of either side of the roadway. In other words, if you're driving down a public road and see a coyote running, you still can't pull over, get your rifle out, and shoot it.

This information is from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's website and is explained in more detail.

It is illegal to shoot or attempt to kill any wildlife from any public road or highway. No person shall fire any firearm from, along, or across any public road or highway. A public road is defined as any road that is open to vehicular traffic to the public. The road surface, the area between fences on a fenced public road or highway, and the area 30 feet perpendicular to the road surface on unfenced public roads is considered the public road. Two-track trails on public land are not defined as public roads.

Wyoming has allowed individuals with mobility issues to hunt from vehicles as long as they hold the proper permit, which will not change.

It's the hunter's responsibility to ensure the rules are being followed and to understand them. Any questions about the changes can be directed to a regional office, Game Warden, or via WGFD.WYO.GOV