CHEYENNE - A new law that bans Wyoming residents from logging onto Web sites and shooting animals with remote-controlled rifles attached to Web cams is among a slate of wildlife regulations set to take effect this week.

The bill, which passed along with the others in this winter's legislative session, wasn't in response to any proposal to stage such operations in Wyoming. But there was strong legislative support for outlawing the practice, also referred to as cyber hunting.

The new law prohibits anyone from participating in the practice in Wyoming, even if the animal is killed outside the state.

Bob Wharff, executive director of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, said some supporters of Internet hunting in other states may have intended that the technology could help people who have limitations that prevent them from participating in conventional hunting.

However, Wharff said, Internet hunting "crosses a line that most people think shouldn't be crossed."

"It's one of those things that everybody always said, 'It will never happen in Wyoming,' but it's one of those things you can't assume," Wharff said. "You have to take action to address it."

Other wildlife-related bills that take effect Wednesday:

* A law that bans the intentional feeding of elk is intended to prevent elk from mingling with livestock, which could allow elk to transmit the disease brucellosis. Feeding the wildlife results in their concentrating in one location where they have a greater chance of transmitting diseases and being closer to highways, said John Emmerich, Wyoming Game and Fish Department deputy director for external operations.

* A law giving the state game commission authority to regulate the collection of shed antlers stems from concerns about antler-hunters bothering herds in the late winter and early spring, Emmerich said. That's when food for deer and other wildlife is most scarce and the animals are least able to sustain any disturbance.

Sen. Bruce Burns, R-Sheridan, said Idaho and Utah have already set seasons for antler collection, which has lured collectors in those states into Wyoming.

* Trappers will be required to check their quick-kill traps and snares at least every 72 hours under a new law. Emmerich said they were already required to check leg-hold traps that frequently. Emmerich said the new requirement is intended to make sure that quick-kill traps and snares have only caught the intended species and not someone's pet dog or livestock.

* The game commission will have new authority to regulate the use of immuno-contraceptives to control wildlife populations.

Emmerich said some drugs are already available that would allow game managers to immunize doe deer to prevent them from getting pregnant. He said there are no proposals to use that or any similar drugs in Wyoming.

"We wanted to make sure that the commission had the authority to regulate the use of these type of drugs, if in fact they become available for use," Emmerich said. "We just want to make sure that hunting remains the primary means of population control."