Petitions to Prohibit Wildlife-Killing Contests--Please Sign!

Post date: Feb 25, 2016 9:58:36 PM

Update, 1/12/2016, to the Petition to Prohibit Wildlife Killing Contests in Minnesota.

Problem Statement

The Animal Legal Defense Fund describes the problem as follows:

"Killing contests are reckless wildlife management: those who defend the killing sprees by pointing to an increase in coyote populations refuse to acknowledge science which has conclusively shown that killing animals haphazardly like this increases their populations and worsens any problem they may create for livestock. These contests are creating the problem they pretend to be controlling, and are ineffective at best, savage at worst: glorifying killing for the sake of killing. As ALDF has repeatedly shown, nonlethal predator control works, is more effective, and is more humane."

Methods, limits, and seasons of killing are wide open for animals such as coyotes, classified in MN as "unprotected wild animals" and in other States with a similar lack of protection from abuse. In a wildlife-killing competition, those exceptions from the game & fish regulations are likely to be exploited: hunting over bait or electronic calls, under spotlights or thermographic rifle scopes, using other radio equipment, etc.; trapping without ID tags; killing gravid or lactating females; and killing as many as possible.

See also the discussion of "wanton waste," below. Although it came up in connection with a Lackawanna, NY rabbit derby, it's of concern either legally or ethically in most wildlife-killing contests, especially those that award prizes based upon carcass weight. In other words, if the carcasses that are brought in for wildlife-killing contests aren't prepared and cared for in the way that carcasses are generally prepared for meat and fur, then they're probably going to be wasted. For example, a pile of coyote carcasses tossed in a trailer will probably be wasted. Each State has different rules against waste, and each hunter abides by higher or lower ethical standards; but waste is generally frowned upon by ethical sportsmen.

Solutions Proposed (Please Sign!)

Alberta, Canada:

Arizona:

California:

Georgia:

Florida:

  • Sample contest: Python Challenge.
    • Critique of the inhumane method of killing by decapitation. Although this method is ill-advised, it's still allowed as part of the Python Challenge "euthanasia protocol." Although the protocol adds (after a long narrative about stunning and decapitation) that the full procedure would be titled "stunning followed by decapitation, followed by brain destruction" it still lists the procedure under the category of "Decapitating the Python," and it still only mentions the required final step as if it's an extra measure that's mentioned only to satisfy the animal-protection people. It's not an extra step: it's what's required to humanely kill a snake (otherwise, "the brain of a python can remain active for up to an hour after decapitation").

Idaho:

Kentucky:

Minnesota:

Montana:

New Mexico:

Nebraska:

  • Sample contest: Coyote Craze Classic, Mitchell, NE, 12/11/2015 - 12/13/2015.
    • 173 coyotes checked in by 33 teams!
    • Coyote Calling Champions of the Universe crowned!
    • $20,000 in cash and prizes awarded!
    • Thanks sponsors, teams, and sales reps!

Nevada:

New York:

North Carolina:

Ohio:

  • Sample contest: Ohio Song Dog Smackdown, in Crawford, Seneca, and Wyandot Counties, OH, 1/15/2016 - 1/24/2016.
    • Four main classes--trapping, calling, dogging, and driving--each with a prize.
    • Special class for largest female coyote.
    • Prizes awarded based on combined weight of a team's three largest coyotes.
    • Other entertainment: gun raffle, door prizes, food & beverages.
    • Enjoy, have fun, and be safe! Let's make this a family-fun annual event!

Oregon:

Pennsylvania:

Virginia:

Washington:

Wisconsin:

Poster by "Buffalo Ridge Gobblers MN" Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Poster by "Buffalo Ridge Gobblers MN" Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Photo credit: "Buffalo Ridge Gobblers MN" Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Photo credit: "Buffalo Ridge Gobblers MN" Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Header from the rules, regulations, and registration form for the Tubmill Trout Club "Lucky Dogs" Coyote & Fox Hunt, New Florence, PA, 1/29/2016.

Header from the rules, regulations, and registration form for the Tubmill Trout Club "Lucky Dogs" Coyote & Fox Hunt, New Florence, PA, 1/29/2016.

Header from the website of the Coyote Craze Classic, Mitchell, NE, 12/11/2015 - 12/13/2015.

Header from the website of the Coyote Craze Classic, Mitchell, NE, 12/11/2015 - 12/13/2015. "Feed your addiction."

Facebook posting and comment by Lobo Watch and Toby Bridges, announcing the Predator Hunt Northwest Montana, Sanders County, MT

Facebook posting and comment by Lobo Watch and Toby Bridges announcing the event and the military-style preparations for the Predator Hunt Northwest Montana, Sanders County, MT