As a Wyoming native and lifelong sportsman, I’ve always believed that our hunting traditions are more than just a pastime— they’re a reflection of our values, our respect for the land, and the wildlife that inhabits it.
Growing up in southwest Wyoming, my passion for the outdoors and our natural and wildlife resources runs parallel to who I am.
These deeply rooted admirations come with a responsibility and are the motivations for what inspired me to co-found the Muley Fanatic Foundation. I’ve dedicated my life to mule deer, promoting sound wildlife management and the furthering of our hunting heritage.
In 2024, our sportsmen community was shaken by an incident involving a coward in Sublette County.
This “man” reportedly ran down a wolf, broke its bones, taped its mouth shut, and kept it alive and suffering before bringing the injured animal into the Green River Bar to pose for photos. He ultimately killed it, leaving behind a story that is as disturbing as it is shameful.
For these actions, he received a mere $250 fine. As hunters, we must ask ourselves: Does this behavior align with our principles, and will we allow this behavior to paint us all in a bad light? This wasn’t hunting. This wasn’t predator management.
Hunting has always been about more than just the pursuit — it’s about stewardship, responsibility, and a deep-seated respect for the animals we harvest.
Wyoming’s hunters understand that predator management is critical to protecting our herds and maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. But managing predators must be done with integrity. This man’s actions are not just an embarrassment to our community—they are a betrayal of the values that define us.
Acknowledging that nationwide hunters only make up 4% of our population should provide the clarion call for the upholding of our stewardship responsibilities as hunters.
Allow that to sink in, 4%… this only intensifies the need for hunters to step up and take action to this horrendous act, proclaiming this is not who we are, and it will not be tolerated. Hunters absolutely need to lead the charge on this so the 96% of the population of non-hunters know with absolute clarity that this act wasn’t hunting or predator management.
The proposed Clean Kill Bill (HB0275) is a necessary step to ensure incidents like this never happen again.
The bill respects the importance of predator management while drawing a hard line: If someone intentionally tortures and brutalizes an animal in Wyoming, they will face real consequences. Simply put - this legislation reaffirms the unwritten code of ethics that true sportsmen have always lived by.
Some may argue that this bill is unnecessary or a concession to animal rights activists. Let me be clear: This is not about appeasing outsiders. This is about us. This is about who we are as Wyoming hunters.
The Clean Kill Bill is not an infringement on our rights; it is an affirmation of our responsibilities. It allows us to stand tall and say, “We respect the land, the animals, and the legacy we leave behind for future generations.”
Wyoming hunters have always been leaders. We’ve shown the nation what it means to be true stewards of the land. The Clean Kill Bill is another chance to lead—not just by managing predators effectively but by doing so in a way that reflects the highest standards of sportsmanship.
Hunting is more than a tradition in Wyoming; it’s a way of life. It’s the quiet of a sunrise on a ridgeline, the lessons we pass down to our children, and the deep pride we feel in being part of something bigger than ourselves. Torture and cruelty have no place in our heritage. They undermine the respect we’ve earned over generations.
The Clean Kill Bill is not just about preventing another cowardly incident of torturing an animal. It’s about preserving the soul of Wyoming hunting. It’s about standing up and saying, “This is who we are. This is what we believe.”
Let us show the world what it means to be a Wyoming hunter: a protector of wildlife, a steward of the land, and a person of integrity. Let us pass the Clean Kill Bill and reaffirm the values that make us proud to call Wyoming home.
Joshua W.D. Coursey is an avid sportsman and the co-founder of the Muley Fanatics Foundation.
