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2005 General Session
HB 203 required that, whenever the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) relocates a grizzly bear, or learns that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has relocated a grizzly bear, the WGFD must notify the county sheriff and local media of the county to which the bear had been moved. Notification must occur within five days of the relocation.
The WGFD also must submit an annual report to the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Interim Committee that provided the number of grizzly bears that were relocated and where they were moved to during the preceding year.
Supporters felt that county officials and residents should know when a bear had been moved into their county, and where the bear was turned loose. Because bears are moved when they get into trouble, supporters thought it was fair and prudent to let local residents know when and where troublesome bears were being relocated.
Opponents worried that providing location information for bear relocations might increase local opposition to grizzly bears, and might further complicate bear management issues that are already difficult enough.
The House passed HB 203 unanimously. The Senate passed the bill 28-2, with Senators Hank Coe (R-S18, Cody) and Jayne Mockler (D-S8, Cheyenne) casting the two dissenting votes.