A coyote hunt scheduled this month in Modoc County has triggered outrage from conservation groups that launched a statewide campaign this week to stop what they characterize as a bloodthirsty canine killing contest held for no other reason than the fun of watching a predator die.

The arrest of a federal Wildlife Services trapper in Arizona earlier this month on a charge of animal cruelty has sparked renewed concern about the little-known agency.

Earlier this week, the invitation on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website read: “Yolo Wildlife Area, Davis – We are offering a one day clinic on hunting predators in California. Space is limited. Cost: $45 for the class.”

A puzzling pathogen that killed hundreds of white-tailed deer in tools of Cook County means coyotes there are streamer into winter fat and happy.

John Edwards was so haunted by the image of dogs chasing and killing foxes and coyotes in staged hunts that he promised to do something about it.