Bipartisan Bill Aims to Ban Snowmobile 'Wolf Whacking' on Federal Lands 🐺

In the event that the weekend wasn’t quite long enough for you, here’s to hoping that your favorite dispatch from the outdoor world can give you 5-or-so minutes to prep yourself for yet another week.

So, without further ado, let’s grab that coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past few days. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

WE PROBABLY SHOULDN’T BE DOING THIS
BIPARTISAN BILL AIMS TO BAN SNOWMOBILE ‘WOLF WHACKING’ ON FEDERAL LANDS

In the wake of a shocking 2024 incident that drew worldwide condemnation, a bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers has reintroduced legislation to outlaw the practice of using snowmobiles or other motor vehicles to intentionally chase, harass, injure, or kill wolves and other predators on federal public lands.

The Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons Act (SAW Act) was introduced on Thursday by lead sponsor Rep. Val Hoyle (D-Oregon), with cosponsors including Reps. Mike Lawler (R-New York), Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania). The bill targets a sneaky loophole in federal protections, prohibiting the use of ground-based motor vehicles as weapons against wildlife on lands managed by agencies like the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management. It applies nationwide but, at this point, does not extend to state-owned lands or private property…

NY DEC opens late-season deer hunting for holidays in Southern Zone: Late bow and muzzleloader deer hunting seasons will reopen across most of New York's Southern Zone — starting Dec. 26 and ending Jan. 1 — as part of the state's Holiday Deer Hunt. Read the full story.

Sen. Dave Wilson proposes constitutional amendment on hunting and fishing rights: Sen. Dave Wilson has introduced bipartisan legislation that would begin the process of amending the Delaware Constitution to formally recognize the right to hunt, fish and trap wildlife. Read the full story.

2 new cases of chronic wasting disease in B.C. lead to more hunting permits: The B.C. government has announced hunters will be able to harvest an additional deer this season in the Kootenays, in an effort to increase testing for chronic wasting disease. Read the full story.

Trophy buck is icing on the cake for MS deer hunter's blessed year: A Mississippi man harvested a trophy buck and in the near future, the mount will hang on a wall. As big of an accomplishment as harvesting a big buck is for many hunters, he said, it was just one of several blessings he's had this year.  Read the full story.

Arkansas deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease found in Grant, Sevier counties: AGFC officials said two hunter-harvested deer from Grant County were identified and confirmed positive for the disease after testing last week.  Read the full story.

Montana FWP Highlights Successful 2025 Chronic Wasting Disease Monitoring Season: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently concluded its general season sampling effort for chronic wasting disease (CWD), marking one of the most productive monitoring periods to date. This achievement was made possible through the direct participation of hunters across the state. Read the full story.

🛶 There’s only one way to launch a canoe in the winter. And this dude just about nails that Kevin McAllister-inspired slide down into the river.

Now do it with a deer in the sled…

Beautiful bighorns…

📸 : @simoneheinrichphotography

Oh, and one more thing…