Dear Friend of Wildlife,

Please join Project Coyote in protest of an indefensible coyote and wolf killing "derby" ironically scheduled on the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, our nation's safety-net for wildlife, that brought wolves back from the brink of extinction. It is imperative that everyone speak out against this atrocity scheduled in just two weeks. Time is critical.

This is not hunting but a gratuitous massacre that is legal in Idaho and across the country. Prizes will be offered to contestants who kill the largest wolf and the most female coyotes. Children as young as 10 are encouraged to compete, with prizes being offered to youth from the ages of 10-14.

These competitions are ethically indefensible and ecologically reckless, as well as a public safety risk, as shooters fan out across the landscape, trying to shoot large numbers of coyotes and wolves.

Specific details about the contest hunt:

What: "1st Annual 2 Day Coyote & Wolf Derby" brough to you by Idaho for Wildlife, Salmon Chapter, Sportsman Group
Where: Salmon, Idaho                         
When: Dec. 28th & 29th, 2013  
 
A wolf tag can be purchased for as little as $11.75, permitting each hunter to shoot 4 to 10 wolves (depending on region). 154 wolves have been killed in Idaho since hunting season opened on August 30th. Idaho is showing the nation what happens to wolves following the removal of federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. Please contact the following individuals to voice your opposition:
 
Idaho Department of Fish & Game
Virgil Moore, Director
600 S. Walnut
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-2920
Email: virgil.moore@idfg.idaho.gov
http://gov.idaho.gov/ourgov/contact.html

Idaho Department of Fish & Game 
Will Naillon, Salmon Region IDFG Commissioner
Email: willnaillon@gmail.com
 
Idaho Fish and Game Commission
Bob Barowsky, Chairman
Email: bbarowsky@fmtc.com
 
Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter
P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-2100
Email: governor@gov.idaho.gov
 
Salmon Valley Chamber of Commerce
Charleane Hermosillo, Executive Director
Phone: (800) 727-2540, (208) 756-2100
Email: svcc1@centurytel.net   
 
Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association, Boise
John May, Executive Director
Phone: (208) 342-1438
Email: john@ioga.org
IOGA represents all outfitters in the state of Idaho. If you use Idaho outfitters for white water rafting, camping, backcountry skiing - please mention this and urge IOGA to speak out against having their members participate in a predator killing contest. 
 
Talking Points (please personalize your letter and if you recreate in Idaho please mention this):

1.  Killing contests have nothing in common with fair chase, ethical hunting. Technology, baiting, and "calling" place wildlife at an even greater and unfair disadvantage. Killing predators, or any wild animal, as part of a 'contest' or 'derby' is ethically indefensible and ecologically reckless. 
 
2.  Bloodsport contests are conducted for profit, entertainment, prizes and, simply, for the "fun" of killing. No evidence exists showing that predator killing contests control problem animals or serve any beneficial management function. Coyote populations that are not exploited (that is hunted, trapped, or controlled by other means), form stable "extended family" social structures that naturally limit overall coyote populations through defense of territory and the suppression of breeding by subordinate female members of the family group.

3. The importance of wolves, coyotes and other predators in maintaining order, stability, and productivity in ecosystems has been well documented in peer-reviewed scientific literature. Coyotes provide myriad ecosystem services that benefit humans including their control of smaller predators, rodents, and jackrabbits, which compete with domestic livestock for available forage. As apex predators wolves increase biodiversity and ecological integrity.
 
4.  With fewer than 700 wolves in Idaho and poaching a common problem, allowing a killing contest of a species just off the endangered species list is reckless, indefensible and counter to sound science.

5. Economically, a live wolf is worth far more than a dead one. Wolf watching has brought in millions of dollars into Idaho and tourism is a major economic revenue source.
 
6.  Wildlife killing contests perpetuate a culture of violence and send the message to children that life has little value and that an entire species of animals is disposable.
 
7.  Wildlife killing contests put non-target animals, companion animals, and people at risk. Domestic dogs are sometimes mistaken for coyotes and wolves (see article on sidebar).

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Thank you always for your support & action on behalf of wildlife!
 


 

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