The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) is considering a proposed rule to ban coyote killing contests statewide. Currently hunting of coyotes is allowed unfettered across the state, year-round, day and night. Under the proposed rule change, MDIFW would establish protections for coyotes with prohibitions on killing contests and restrictions on how many animals hunters are allowed to kill during a seasonal hunt. In an ideal world, we would like to see no hunting of coyotes, but this proposed change is a big step in the right direction.
We need your help to urge the Department to support this proposal!
The public comment period for this proposed rule change ends on October 16. If you are a Maine resident, you have three opportunities to make your voice heard:
1) Submit written comments to MDIFW by October 16, 2020:
- Email your comments to Becky Orff, Secretary Specialist, at orff@maine.gov
- Use the talking points below to draft your comments.
2) Testify (virtually) at the October 6, 2020 hearing at 4:00 PM EST:
- Contact Becky Orff, Secretary Specialist, orff@maine.gov for relevant information. The deadline to contact Becky is close of business on Monday, October 5.
- You’ll receive an invitation with details about the hearing. Don’t forget to download the Microsoft Teams app before the meeting.
- Use the talking points below to prepare your testimony.
3) Write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper (and see tips on LTEs here):
- Please be respectful and commend MDIFW for considering this rule. Encourage fellow Maine residents to support the proposed ban on predator killing contests.
Submit your written comments by October 16, and plan to attend the upcoming virtual hearing October 6!
Talking Points (please personalize your message):
- Let the Commission know you, as a citizen of Maine, support the proposed rule to ban coyote killing contests and commend them for taking action on this important issue.
- Killing contests dishonor Maine’s traditions and values. Killing contests mar the reputation of responsible hunters by violating fundamental hunting ethics and disrespecting Maine’s natural legacy. More and more wildlife agency professionals recognize that allowing such bloodsports to continue contravenes sound wildlife stewardship.
- Like dogfighting and cockfighting (now banned in the U.S.), wildlife killing contests are unconscionable bloodsports. Killing wildlife for thrills and prizes—with no respect for their ecological value—is senseless violence and wanton waste. Participants may use high-tech electronic calling devices to lure animals in for an easy kill and often dump the lifeless bodies after the prizes are awarded. Countless animals are injured or orphaned during killing contests. The events put non-target species at risk.
- Seven states have already outlawed wildlife killing contests (AZ, CA, CO, MA, NM, VT and WA)- with five of these being propelled by state wildlife agency action (AZ, CA, CO, MA and WA). More and more citizens across the country are speaking out against these unethical events.
- No scientific evidence exists to support the claim that indiscriminately killing coyotes (i.e., through contests and open seasons with no bag limits) reduces their populations, increases populations of game animals like deer, or protects livestock. More than 70 prominent conservation scientists have signed a statement condemning killing contests on ecological and ethical grounds. Randomly killing coyotes disrupts their pack structure, which can increase their populations and increase conflict. Preventing conflicts with the use of humane, non-lethal methods is more effective.
- Coyotes play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems. They reduce rabbit and rodent populations, control disease transmission, keep environments free of animal carcasses (carrion) and remove sick animals from the gene pool, and increase biodiversity.
- This rule is not a ban on hunting and does not impact other rules or statutes. In fact, it will protect respected hunting traditions supported by Maine citizens. The proposed rule does not prohibit fishing tournaments or affect laws related to lethal control of specific, problem-causing predators.
Encourage your neighbors and friends in Maine to support
the proposed ban on coyote killing contests!
Seven states have enacted prohibitions on wildlife killing contests (AZ, CA, CO, MA, NM, VT and WA)—let’s make Maine the eighth!
For the Wild,
Camilla H. Fox
Founder & Executive Director
Michelle Lute
National Carnivore Conservation Manager