Learn 10 weird Wyoming laws so you don’t accidentally break them.

Thinking about moving to Wyoming? You might want to know about these strange laws first. Some are funny, some make sense, and some will make you scratch your head. While most aren’t strictly enforced, they’re still technically on the books. If you’re new to Cheyenne or just visiting, here are 10 bizarre Wyoming laws that might surprise you:

1. You can’t fish with a gun. In Wyoming, using a firearm to fish is illegal. Now, you might wonder—who even thought this was a good idea? Maybe someone tried it, missed the fish, and caused a problem. Either way, stick to a rod and reel if you plan to fish.

2. No hunting from a car or a public road. Wyoming has a lot of wildlife, but you can’t shoot animals from your car, across a public road, or near a pond. This one makes sense because there can be a lot of problems if people are allowed to hunt while in their car. Imagine someone taking a shot while elk cross a street in town. That’s a disaster waiting to happen.

3. Always close the gate. If you open a gate or fence, you must close it. Forgetting to do so is a misdemeanor and could land you with a $750 fine. The reason is because Wyoming has a lot of ranches, and leaving a gate open can let livestock escape. If that happens, livestock might escape and someone might lose money.

“If you’re moving to Wyoming, don’t worry—most of these laws aren’t strictly enforced.”

4. No skiing while drunk. Skiing under the influence of any illegal substance is not allowed in Wyoming. If caught, you could face up to 20 days in jail. So, if you’ve been drinking, consider relaxing at the lodge instead.

5. You can’t be drunk in a mine. Working in a coal or gas mine while intoxicated is illegal. In fact, if you’re caught drunk in a mine, you could go to jail for a year. When working in dangerous conditions, you need to be alert.

6. Junk dealers can’t sell to drunk people. If you own a junk shop, you can’t sell to intoxicated customers. Maybe this law exists to stop people from making bad decisions while drunk. Either way, if you’re buying junk, make sure you’re sober.

7. Women can’t be within five feet of a bar while drinking. This one sounds outdated but it’s technically still a law. In Wyoming, a woman can’t stand within five feet of a bar while drinking. No one enforces it, but it’s still written in the books. Interestingly, Cheyenne does allow open containers, so you can legally walk around with a drink during events like Frontier Days—just don’t stand too close to the bar!

8. No spitting in public buildings. Feeling the urge to spit? Don’t do it inside a public building. Spitting on walls, floors, steps, or schools is against the law. If you need to spit, use a trash can or go outside.

9. No obstructive hats in theaters. Wearing a hat that blocks someone’s view in a theater or place of amusement is illegal. If you’re at the movies, leave your 10-gallon hat at home and stick to a baseball cap.

10. You can’t tattoo a horse. Are you thinking about giving your horse a cool tattoo? Think again. Tattooing a horse is illegal in Wyoming. No one really knows why, but if you were considering it, you might want to check the laws first.

If you’re moving to Wyoming, don’t worry—most of these laws aren’t strictly enforced. But they do give you a peek into the state’s history and priorities. Some laws are about safety, while others feel like they belong in the past. Either way, knowing them helps you avoid trouble and maybe even impress your friends with weird trivia. If you have any questions about real estate, feel free to call or text me at 307-772-1184. My team can help you find the answers you need.