Current through the 2024 Budget Session
Section 23-3-306 - Use of aircraft, automobiles, motorized and snow vehicles and artificial light for hunting or fishing prohibited; exceptions; penalties(a) No person shall harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, or kill any Wyoming wildlife except predatory animals with, from, or by use of any aircraft, automotive vehicle, trailer, motor-propelled wheeled vehicle, or vehicle designed for travel over snow. No person shall use any aircraft, to aid in the taking of any Wyoming wildlife, except predatory animals, whether by spotting or locating the wildlife, communicating with any person attempting to take the wildlife, or by providing other aid to any person taking the wildlife. Nothing in this subsection shall apply to the use of any aircraft by governmental agencies, their employees, contractors or designees performing any lawful duties. The commission may exempt handicapped hunters from any provision of this subsection. For purposes of this section "aircraft" means any machine or device capable of atmospheric flight including but not limited to an airplane, helicopter, glider, dirigible or unmanned aerial vehicle.(b) No person shall take any wildlife with the aid of or by using any artificial light or lighting device except as otherwise provided in subsections (f) through (h) of this section and except that predatory animals may be taken with the aid of an artificial light or lighting device including thermal or infrared imaging or other light imaging by:(i) A public officer authorized to and conducting predator control;(ii) A landowner, resident manager, or person with the landowner's or a resident manager's written permission to take predatory animals, on land under the landowner's control for the protection of his property;(iii) Any person taking a predatory animal on public or state land, subject to limitations established by the commission as authorized in subsection (h) of this section.(c) It is prima facie evidence of a violation of subsection (b) of this section if a person uses an artificial light in an area which may be inhabited by wildlife while having in his possession and control any device for taking wildlife.(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the hunting on foot of raccoon with the aid of a handlight provided the hunter is accompanied by a raccoon hunting dog and if hunting on private lands, has the written permission of the landowner or his agent.(e) Violation of this section constitutes a high misdemeanor punishable as provided in W.S. 23-6-202(a)(ii).(f) The commission shall establish by rule and regulation specifications for the taking of game animals with the use of artificial light or lighting devices by persons with central visual acuity disabilities.(g) The commission shall establish by rule and regulation specifications for the taking of fish with the use of artificial light or lighting devices.(h) The commission shall establish by rule and regulation specifications for the taking of predatory animals with the use of artificial light or lighting devices including thermal or infrared imaging or other light imaging specified by the commission. Such specifications may include, but are not limited to, creation of zones, areas, valid dates and methods for taking predatory animals with the use of artificial light or lighting devices on public land.Amended by Laws 2023, ch. 88,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Laws 2023, ch. 26, § 1, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Laws 2014 , ch. 38, § 1, eff. 7/1/2014.Amended by Laws 2013 , ch. 54, § 1, eff. 2/15/2013.