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Thanks to all who have contacted the Division of Fisheries & WIldlife (MassWildlife) to express your opposition to coyote killing contests – and to those who attended the agency’s public listening session in April in West Barnstable (the event was standing room only!). For those who haven’t yet written, there’s still time! There are also two more listening sessions that we urge you to attend.

During barbaric killing contests, participants compete to kill the smallest, the largest, or the greatest number of coyotes for entertainment and prizes. Coyotes are killed in these contests every year in Granby and Hyannis.

Speak up for coyotes! First, we encourage you to attend upcoming public listening sessions MassWildlife is holding in May and June to voice your concern about these cruel and senseless events. Second, if you haven’t done so already, please contact MassWildlife asking them to ban coyote killing contests in the state.

Attend MassWildlife’s public listening sessions

Your presence speaks volumes. You will have an opportunity to comment and ask questions; it’s important to be polite and keep your comments brief. Please focus on the cruel and ecologically destructive nature of coyote killing contests (see talking points below). Even if you don’t want to speak, just being present shows your support! (If you’d like to wear a sticker, please pick one up from our colleagues at the MSPCA.)

May Meeting in Western Massachusetts
What: MassWildlife Public Listening Session on Coyote Killing Contests
Where: Mohawk Regional High School, 26 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls, MA
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2019
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET

June Meeting in Buzzards Bay
What: MassWildlife Public Listening Session on Coyote Killing Contests
Where: Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Admirals Hall (Harrington Building), 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Time: 6:00 pm ET

Write to MassWildlife

Please write a concise, polite letter to MassWildlife by Wednesday, May 15, asking them to adopt a regulation or support a state legislative ban on coyote killing contests in the Commonwealth. We’ve provided additional talking points below. Be sure to indicate that you’re a resident of the state.

Comments may be sent/emailed to (and please send to both):
Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board
c/o Susan Sacco
1 Rabbit Hill Road
Westborough, MA 01581
Susan.Sacco@mass.gov

And:

Commissioner Ronald Amidon
MA Dept of Fish and Game
251 Causeway Street, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
Ronald.Amidon@mass.gov

Talking Points

Banning coyote killing contests will prevent a small minority of the population from recklessly slaughtering Massachusetts’ wildlife.

  • Coyote killing contests are ethically and ecologically indefensible. They are a bloodsport just like dogfighting and cockfighting, which have been outlawed in every state.
  • Killing contests are contrary to sound wildlife management. Randomly killing coyotes 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.
  • Killing contests damage the reputation of responsible hunters by violating fundamental hunting ethics. Countless animals are injured or orphaned during killing contests. The events put non-target species, including pets, at risk. Participants use electronic calling devices, which mimic the sounds of prey or young in distress, to lure coyotes in for an easy kill.
  • Participants perpetuate myths to justify the killing. There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing coyotes reduces their populations, increases populations of game animals like deer, or protects livestock.
  • Coyotes play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems. They reduce rabbit and rodent populations, keep environments free of animal carcasses, and increase biodiversity
  • We are not seeking a ban on coyote hunting – we simply ask for a prohibition on coyote killing contests.

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.

Thank you for acting TODAY to protect Massachusetts’ coyotes!

For Wild Nature,

 

 

 

 

Katie Stennes
Programs & Communications Manager


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