Tuesday, NOVEMBER 18, 2025 |

Photo – Hanna Cemetery – Bigfoot99 file photo

Hanna residents are now permitted to kill certain pests using air‑ or spring‑powered rifles.

The prairie dog population has been an ongoing issue for the Town of Hanna. Conditions worsened last summer, particularly at the town’s cemetery, where the burrowing rodents damaged graves and disturbed burial sites.

To address the issue, the governing body authorized specially trained town employees, including deputies from the Marshal’s Department, to use air rifles against prairie dogs and other rodent pests. The measure strictly prohibited residents from participating. Despite the town’s efforts, the prairie dogs continued to multiply.

In response to the lack of progress, the Hanna Town Council introduced Ordinance 413, permitting residents to dispatch rodents on their property with air‑ or spring‑powered rifles.

The measure was passed into law during the November 12th Hanna Town Council meeting. Clerk Vivian Gonzales read Ordinance 413, an ordinance of the Town of Hanna, permitting residents to use spring or air weapons to kill certain, specified types of wild animals on their property.

Lagomorpha are rabbits and hares. Rodentia is the scientific order of mammals that includes all rodents. The ordinance also authorizes residents to kill reptiles.

Continuing to read from Ordinance 413, Clerk Gonzales stated that residents may shoot animals only on their own property, unless authorized by another landowner.

Ordinance 413 states that residents must avoid injuring people or damaging property while shooting at an approved pest. In addition, they may not knowingly kill someone’s pet.

Violations of the ordinance are considered misdemeanors under Hanna regulations.

The Hanna Town Council unanimously passed Ordinance 413 on its third and final reading. While residents are now authorized to shoot rodents and hares, Mayor Charlie George clarified that killing badgers is still prohibited.

Discharging a traditional firearm within Hanna’s town limits remains a crime, except when done in the lawful defense of a person, property, or family.

The post Prairie Dogs Beware – Hanna Residents Authorized to Shoot first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.