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The Arizona Game and Fish (AZGF) Commission has proposed a rule that would ban organizing, participating in, and promoting wildlife killing contests in the state. During these barbaric events, participants compete to kill the greatest number, the largest, the smallest, or even the youngest of the targeted animal for prizes and entertainment. Hundreds of bobcats, coyotes, cougars, foxes, rabbits, badgers and other species are killed in these contests every year in Arizona.

We need your help TODAY urging the Commission to vote YES to prohibit wildlife killing contests in Arizona. The Commission is accepting public comments on the proposed rule from April 12 through May 12, 2019.

Please write to the Commission urging them to support the proposed rule to prohibit wildlife killing contests.

Email comments to Ms. Celeste Cook at the AZGF Commission: ccook@azgfd.gov

You may also mail written comments to:

Arizona Game and Fish Commission
c/o Celeste Cook | Rules/Policy Manager
Arizona Game and Fish Department
5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086

You can simply say, “I respectfully urge you to adopt a rule change to Article 3, R12-4-303 to prohibit wildlife killing contests in Arizona. I strongly support this rule and changes to it that will remove loopholes, enhance enforcement, and broaden protections to all unprotected animals. Thank you for considering a ban on killing contests to protect wildlife on behalf of all citizens.”

To be most effective, we strongly encourage you to personalize your message, expressing why abolishing wildlife killing contests is so important to you. When taking into account the public’s opinion, the Commission sorts comments by original letters and form letters – original, personalized letters will have much more impact.

If you live out of state, you may also submit written comments for the official record but it is especially important to personalize your letter. Consider discussing how you do not wish to spend tourism dollars in a state that allows wildlife killing contests.

Additional Talking Points:

  • Banning wildlife killing contests will prevent a small minority of the population from recklessly slaughtering our wild animals for private gain.
  • Killing contests are ethically and ecologically indefensible.
  • Killing contests are a bloodsport like dogfighting and cockfighting. Killing wildlife for thrills and prizes–with no respect for their intrinsic or ecological value–is senseless violence and waste.
  • Killing contests damage the reputation of responsible hunters by violating fundamental hunting ethics – threatening the future of hunting. Countless animals are injured or orphaned during killing contests.The events put non-target species (including imperiled wolves) at risk. Participants use electronic calling devices, which mimic the sounds of prey or young in distress, to lure the target animals in for an easy kill.
  • The public will no longer tolerate wildlife killing contests. Six city and county governments in Arizona – Tucson, Dewey-Humboldt, Flagstaff, Coconino County, Pima County, and Yavapai County – have passed resolutions condemning wildlife killing contests. New Mexico banned coyote killing contests in April, and California and Vermont have taken similar actions in recent years.
  • There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing wild animals reduces their populations, increases populations of game animals like deer, or protects livestock. Randomly killing coyotes, for example, disrupts their pack structure, which can increase their populations and increase conflicts with coyotes. Preventing conflicts with the use of humane, non-lethal methods is more effective.
  • Wild animals play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems. Native carnivores control rabbit and rodent populations, keep environments free of animal carcasses, and increase biodiversity.
  • We do not seek a ban on hunting. We simply call for an end to organized events where participants compete to kill animals for “fun” and prizes.

Learn more about wildlife killing contests here, the scientific reasons behind why killing coyotes doesn’t solve problems here and here, and the National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests here.

Save the date!

You will have an opportunity to speak in support of the proposed rule in May and June at the Commission’s public meetings. We encourage you to join – your voice speaks volumes.

More information to come, but please save the dates: Friday, May 10th (location TBD) and Friday, June 21st (teleconference only).

Thank you for speaking up for the voiceless animals who need your help.

For Wild Nature,

Linda Bolon
Project Coyote Program Associate

Matt Francis
Project Coyote Program Associate

 


 

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