Vermont Becomes the Second State in the Nation
to Ban Coyote Killing Contests for Prizes
MONTPELIER, Vermont—Yesterday, Vermont enacted H.636, effectively banning coyote killing contests throughout the state. A passionate and persistent coalition of landowners, biologists, farmers, hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and concerned citizens overcame opposition from paid lobbyists and Vermont’s own Fish and Wildlife Department to usher this momentous bill through the legislative process. Project Coyote, Protect Our Wildlife Vermont, the Humane Society of the United States, and other conservation organizations campaigned vigorously to help get the bill passed through the House and Senate, and to encourage the Governor to sign it into law. Special thanks go to Rep. David L. Deen, who sponsored the bill, and to Rep. Carol Ode, who helped write the bill.
Wildlife conservationists hailed the bill’s passage as a victory for Vermont’s wildlife. Camilla Fox, Executive Director of Project Coyote, stated, “We are gratified that the state of Vermont recognizes the ecological damage and suffering that these killing contests inflict, and is among the nation’s vanguard in instituting policy according to science-based management techniques of predator control.”
As affirmed by Project Coyote’s Vermont members and supporters, Science Advisory Board, and a number of respected scientists, “There is no credible evidence that indiscriminate killing of coyotes or other predators effectively serves any genuine interest in managing other species.” In fact, “[i]ndiscriminate and ‘pre-emptive’ killing of predators associated with [coyote killing contests] can lead to the disruption of predators’ social structure and foraging ecology in ways that increase the likelihood of depredations.” (Emphasis added.) What we should be doing is “better recogniz[ing] and valu[ing] predators’ valuable contribution to the health and vitality of our ecosystems.”
Brenna Galdenzi, President of Protect Our Wildlife Vermont, added, “While we still have more work to do to bring Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s policies into the 21st Century, this is a step in the right direction. These contests violate hunting ethics and display zero respect for the animals that are killed.”
The bill’s passage makes Vermont the second state in the nation, after California, to ban these events, which often operate out of public view. Once the bill is formally enacted, anyone found participating in such a competition would be fined for a first offense, and face license suspension and a fine for a second and any subsequent convictions.
“The Humane Society of the United States was proud to work alongside Project Coyote and so many dedicated Vermont wildlife advocates to put an end to coyote killing contests in our state,” said Barry Londeree, Vermont State Director of The Humane Society of the United States. “We hope that other states in New England and across the U.S. will enact similar measures to end this gruesome blood sport.”
Read H.636 here.
Read Project Coyote’s Science Letter here.
Watch the trailer for Project Coyote’s film KILLING GAMES ~ Wildlife In The Crosshairs here.
LOS ANGELES-AREA SUPPORTERS: Join Project Coyote’s Camilla Fox today at Digital Hollywood for a screening of KILLING GAMES, followed by a panel discussion with Camilla and other wildlife conservationists.
# # # # #
Project Coyote, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Northern California, is a North American coalition of wildlife educators, scientists, ranchers, and community leaders promoting coexistence between people and wildlife, and compassionate conservation through education, science, and advocacy. For more information, visit projectcoyote.org.
Protect Our Wildlife is an all-volunteer, Vermont-based 501(c)(3) dedicated to protecting Vermont’s wildlife from exploitation and working to end the fur trade. For more information, visit www.protectourwildlifevt.org.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization—backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—on the web at humanesociety.org
.