Tuesday, OCTOBER 28, 2025 |
Photo – Hanna Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
An ordinance allowing residents to kill yard pests continues to make its way through the Hanna Town Council.
The prairie dog population in the Town of Hanna has recently surged, especially at the town cemetery, where the burrowing rodents have dug into coffins and disturbed human remains.
In April, the Hanna Town Council discussed having the Wyoming Game and Fish Department reintroduce foxes to help control the prairie dogs. The predators were reportedly removed years earlier after reports of attacks on neighborhood pets.
Because the animals had been intentionally removed from town, officials quickly determined that reintroducing foxes wasn’t the right solution. Instead, the governing body authorized specially trained town employees, including deputies from the Marshal’s Department, to use air rifles to kill prairie dogs and other pests. The measure strictly prohibited residents from participating. However, despite the town’s efforts, prairie dogs continued to thrive.
In response to the lack of progress, Mayor Charlie George introduced Ordinance 413 during the September 9th Hanna Town Council meeting. The regulation will allow residents to dispatch rodents on their properties using air or spring-powered rifles.
The measure passed on first reading. As with all ordinance amendments, Ordinance 413 must be read and approved at three separate public hearings before becoming part of the town code.
Ordinance 413 was read for a second time during the October 14th Hanna Town Council meeting. Town Clerk Vivian Gonzales clarified that residents may only kill designated pests on their own property. Councilman David Felix added that town property is also off limits.
A meeting attendee asked if the ordinance also applies to badgers. Councilman Felix explained that residents are only permitted to shoot prairie dogs, mice, rats, rabbits, hares, and reptiles, including rattlesnakes.
Despite being regulated furbearing animals by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, state statute 23-3-115 permits property owners to kill badgers without a license if the animals are damaging private property. Unlike trophy game species such as mountain lions or black bears, badger kills do not need to be reported to Game and Fish. However, due to the species’ notoriously fierce temperament, the Hanna Town Council advised against using air rifles to shoot badgers.
Ordinance 413 passed its second reading. A final public hearing is required before it becomes town law.
