Speak up NOW to support H.411
Bill to be heard May 11, 2021
The Vermont State Legislature is currently considering a bill, H.411, that would ban recklessly killing and wasting wild animals across the state—and we need your help to get it passed! H.411 would be the strongest wanton waste law in the country because it will include coyotes among the protected wildlife.
Although this bill does not prohibit coyote hunting, we still need to show strong support for its passage as it would codify ethical hunting principles into law. The bill will be heard tomorrow Tuesday, May 11 ~ so please take action today!
Here’s how you can help!
1. Email the state’s House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife asking them to SUPPORT H.411.
a. Please copy and paste these email addresses for the Committee members into your email TO field:
asheldon@leg.state.vt.us, plefebvre@leg.state.vt.us, sbongartz@leg.state.vt.us, kdolan@leg.state.vt.us, jmccullough@leg.state.vt.us, nbrownell@leg.state.vt.us, lmorgan@leg.state.vt.us, hsmith@leg.state.vt.us, kmorris2@leg.state.vt.us, lsatcowitz@leg.state.vt.us
b. Use the talking points below, and please include your Vermont city of residence.
2. Spread the word by sharing this alert and infographic through social media!
* * * * *
Talking Points ~ Please personalize!
- In a 2017 survey conducted by the University of Vermont’s Center for Rural Studies, 70.5% of Vermonters oppose wanton waste of wildlife.
- Wasteful killing happens year-round in Vermont. Residents and visitors are shocked and appalled to encounter the evidence of wanton waste: piles of dead crows or coyotes killed for recreation or target practice and left to rot.
- Wanton waste violates the North American Model of Wildlife Management, which prohibits casual killing and wasting of wildlife.
- Wanton waste is compounded by an open, year-round season on coyotes and no bag limits for coyotes, bobcats, fisher, otter, mink, weasel, red fox, gray fox, muskrat, beaver and other furbearers. As a result, wasteful and reckless killing is incentivized.
- The failure to remove killed wildlife from the land also creates problems for other wild animals by allowing bodies that are often riddled with lead bullet fragments to be consumed by raptors and other wildlife, exposing them to the deadly effects of lead poisoning.
- The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department estimated that as many as 60-100 wanton waste events occurred each year and has repeatedly expressed support for stronger wanton waste laws to ensure “ethical harvest techniques are employed to ensure animal welfare and preclude the wanton waste of fish and wildlife resources.”
* * * * *
Thank you for helping to end wanton waste in Vermont!
For the Wild,
Camilla Fox
Founder & Executive Director
Michelle Lute, PhD
National Carnivore Conservation Manager