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So I've got a topic for discussion. As some know, I provide Hunt Consulting, focused for the most part on Western Wyoming. I understand everyone has a different opinion on the matter, and I'm cool with that. I have mine too. This thread however isn't looking for opinions on whether my service is right or wrong, but rather the attempt by some Wyoming legislators to outlaw it.
During the last session they tried to pass a law, but it failed. However, they're still working on it. My question and what I'd like to hear opinions on is whether a state (any state) has the right to pass a law that simply tries to stop someone from telling someone else what they saw while on a vacation or whatever. And whether it matters if it's for remuneration or not.
Currently, the Wyoming state travel committee is working on a law that includes the following:
"Hunt consultation services" means providing to a hunter:
(A) Specified geographic locations defined by a universal coordinate system for the purpose of locating and specific previously scouted big or trophy game animals; or
(B) Maps, drawings, illustrations or any other documents for the purpose of showing the location of any specific previously scouted big or trophy game animals.
They want the "Hunt consultation services" to be something only licensed outfitters and state employees can offer.
The Wyoming state constitution, Sec. 20, reads; Freedom of speech and press; libel; truth a defense. Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right; and in all trials for libel, both civil and criminal, the truth, when published with good intent and [for] justifiable ends, shall be a sufficient defense, the jury having the right to determine the facts and the law, under direction of the court.
Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects seems to contradict the law trying to be passed. Of course I believe it also contradicts the U.S. First Amendment.
So what's your take on this? Whether you think my service is right or wrong, does a state have the right to pass laws to stop someone from telling others what they saw while visiting their state? Do they even have jurisdiction if I share the information from outside of their state with someone else outside their state? The state owns the wildlife, but can they also dictate what is said about the wildlife?
If I were consulting people on the best rivers to kayak, or best rock climbing spots, or where I saw a cool camp spot, should the state have the right to pass a law stopping me from sharing that information? Whether for money or not.
Does the fact that someone shares the information for money or for free change whether they should enjoy the Freedom of Speech. If ones gets paid, should their Freedom of Speech be limited.
I find this topic intriguing now that I'm involved with it and I've spent a lot of time trying to understand the laws concerning it all, but obviously I still don't know that much. I thought it would be a good topic of discussion.
What do you think? Do you know of any similar laws that exist anywhere in our country that limits what one can say about what they saw while visiting somewhere?
Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
LIKE MonsterMuleys.com
on Facebook!
During the last session they tried to pass a law, but it failed. However, they're still working on it. My question and what I'd like to hear opinions on is whether a state (any state) has the right to pass a law that simply tries to stop someone from telling someone else what they saw while on a vacation or whatever. And whether it matters if it's for remuneration or not.
Currently, the Wyoming state travel committee is working on a law that includes the following:
"Hunt consultation services" means providing to a hunter:
(A) Specified geographic locations defined by a universal coordinate system for the purpose of locating and specific previously scouted big or trophy game animals; or
(B) Maps, drawings, illustrations or any other documents for the purpose of showing the location of any specific previously scouted big or trophy game animals.
They want the "Hunt consultation services" to be something only licensed outfitters and state employees can offer.
The Wyoming state constitution, Sec. 20, reads; Freedom of speech and press; libel; truth a defense. Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right; and in all trials for libel, both civil and criminal, the truth, when published with good intent and [for] justifiable ends, shall be a sufficient defense, the jury having the right to determine the facts and the law, under direction of the court.
Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects seems to contradict the law trying to be passed. Of course I believe it also contradicts the U.S. First Amendment.
So what's your take on this? Whether you think my service is right or wrong, does a state have the right to pass laws to stop someone from telling others what they saw while visiting their state? Do they even have jurisdiction if I share the information from outside of their state with someone else outside their state? The state owns the wildlife, but can they also dictate what is said about the wildlife?
If I were consulting people on the best rivers to kayak, or best rock climbing spots, or where I saw a cool camp spot, should the state have the right to pass a law stopping me from sharing that information? Whether for money or not.
Does the fact that someone shares the information for money or for free change whether they should enjoy the Freedom of Speech. If ones gets paid, should their Freedom of Speech be limited.
I find this topic intriguing now that I'm involved with it and I've spent a lot of time trying to understand the laws concerning it all, but obviously I still don't know that much. I thought it would be a good topic of discussion.
What do you think? Do you know of any similar laws that exist anywhere in our country that limits what one can say about what they saw while visiting somewhere?
Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
LIKE MonsterMuleys.com
on Facebook!