NV Residents: Help Ban Wildlife Killing Contests in Nevada!

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners (NBWC) will soon discuss wildlife killing contests for a second time and may provide direction to the Nevada Department of Wildlife to consider a regulatory prohibition on contests across the state.

Urge the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners to Support a Ban on Wildlife Killing Contests TODAY!

Here are three ways you can support a ban on wildlife killing contests:

1. Attend the meeting in person at the Boys & Girls Club of Winnemucca on Friday, June 25, 2021, and give oral comment. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. PT but our topic is agenda item #11 and will be discussed in the afternoon. (Unfortunately, NBWC is not allowing virtual attendance at this meeting.) More information here.

• • The commission will likely accept public testimony and may vote on the issue (though a vote is unlikely until later in the year).
  • Prepare your oral testimony ahead of time by personalizing the Talking Points below. Keep your comments respectful, polite, and brief (3 minutes or less).

2. Submit written testimony to wildlifecommission@ndow.org. Craft your email in your own words using the Talking Points below. Please be sure to submit your written comments before the meeting on Friday, June 25, 2021.
3. Write a Letter to the Editor (LTE) of your local newspaper.

• • Encourage fellow Nevadans residents to support a ban on wildlife killing contests.
  • Use the talking points below, and see tips on LTEs here.

4. Share this action alert and sharegraphic with other NV residents and encourage them to take action on behalf of Nevada’s wildlife.

Talking points to craft your message (please personalize):

• Hunters in Nevada are voicing support for this ban. Clark County Commissioner James Gibson, when speaking of killing contests, stated, “We have been hunters in our family, and we have friends all around us that do, and not a one of them would ever go out to see how many they can kill or something so they can win a prize. That’s not what I think of when I think of hunting.” Commissioner Gibson is one of many hunters who are backing the resolution and pushing for a statewide ban.
• This regulatory prohibition is not a ban on hunting and does not impact other laws. Individuals will still be allowed to hunt coyotes and other wildlife according to state laws. Following the example set by neighboring states, the language of a potential ban can make clear that it will not prohibit fishing tournaments.
• Killing contests damage the reputation of responsible hunters by violating fundamental hunting ethics. Countless animals are injured or orphaned during killing contests. The events also put non-target species at risk.
• Nevada should join neighboring states (Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico) in enacting commonsense prohibitions. Contest participants from other states are now coming to Nevada and killing wildlife that should be enjoyed and appreciated alive by Nevadans.
• Eight states have prohibited wildlife killing contests. Wildlife killing contests are still legal in 40+ U.S. states, but as awareness of these barbaric events spreads, Americans are increasingly demanding an end to this bloodsport.
• The majority of Nevadans believe people should coexist in harmony with wildlife. According to a recent study by Dietsch and colleagues (including Project Coyote Science Advisory Board member Dr. Jeremy Bruskotter), 85-95% of Nevadans believe coyotes should be managed with non-lethal coexistence practices.
• Killing contests are a bloodsport like dogfighting and cockfighting. Killing coyotes for thrills and prizes—with no respect for their intrinsic or ecological value—is senseless violence and waste.
• There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing coyotes reduces their populations, increases populations of game animals like deer, or protects livestock. Randomly killing coyotes disrupts their pack structure, which can increase their populations and increase conflicts between coyotes, humans, and domestic animals. Preventing conflicts by utilizing humane, non-lethal solutions is more effective.
• Wildlife targeted by contests play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems. For example, coyotes reduce rabbit and rodent populations, scavenge animal carcasses, and increase biodiversity.
• Nevada’s wildlife is managed in trust for all Nevadans. Allowing individuals to wantonly kill wildlife as part of a cruel bloodsport is a grave violation of the state’s duty in this regard.

Thank you for acting TODAY to protect Nevada’s unprotected wildlife!

For Wild Nature,

PLEASE SHARE THIS ALERT WITH OTHER NEVADA RESIDENTS!