The polarized political climate allows barbaric practices to continue.
Snowmobile whacking is a form of unethical hunting that involves running a predatory animal, usually a wolf or coyote, and chasing them until they are exhausted.
The driver then shoots or runs over the animal with the vehicle. Often both.
The initial collision rarely causes death, instead leaving it immobilized and at the mercy of the hunter.
This barbaric practice has been getting a lot of media attention ever since the Cody Roberts Wyoming bar incident.
For any who don’t know, a Wyoming man named Cody Roberts whacked a young wolf, taped her mouth shut, had his dogs attack her, and then paraded her around his local bar before taking her outside and shooting her.
This sparked global outrage and inspired efforts for reform. Unfortunately, these efforts continue to be unsuccessful.
Practices like this are clearly inhumane. People from both sides agree on this. Torturing animals is wrong. Barbaric practices like snowmobile whacking should be banned.
It only remains legal because of the polarized political landscape. Both sides are so scared of losing a battle that they refuse to give any concessions, no matter how small or seemingly obvious.
They fear that if they give up snowmobile whacking, it may give the other side the momentum they need to place more restrictions on hunting practices.
So both sides refuse to give an inch and nothing happens, allowing the small number of radical and cruel individuals to continue.
In order for any meaningful change to occur, either one side must win or we must find a common ground.