On February 28th, the Oregon Senate Committee On Judiciary heard testimony for SB 723-2—the bill to ban ethically and ecologically indefensible coyote killing contests in Oregon.
The Committee will vote on SB 723-2 next Wednesday, March 20—and we need your help TODAY to once again urge them to ban coyote killing contests. During these barbaric events, participants compete to kill the smallest, the largest, or the greatest number of coyotes for “fun” and prizes.
Please contact key Committee Members TODAY to urge them to support SB 732-2 ~ Speak up for the voiceless animals who need your help.
Email the Committee:
Please send an email to the Senate Committee on Judiciary at sjud.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov. You can simply say, “I’m an Oregon resident and I respectfully urge you to vote YES on SB 723-2 to prohibit coyote killing contests in the state.” Additional talking points are below.
Follow up with emails and calls to each Committee Member:
Please send an email and make a brief, polite call to the following members of the Senate Committee On Judiciary. You can simply say, “I’m an Oregon resident and I respectfully urge you to vote YES on SB 723-2 to prohibit coyote killing contests in the state.” Additional talking points are below.
Sen. Prozanski: 503-986-1704; Sen.FloydProzanski@OregonLegislature.gov
Sen. Thatcher: 503-986-1713; Sen.KimThatcher@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen. Bentz: 503-986-1730; Sen.CliffBentz@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen. Fagan: 503-986-1724; Sen.ShemiaFagan@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen. Gelser: 503-986-1708; Sen.SaraGelser@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen. Linthicum: 503-986-1728; Sen.DennisLinthicum@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen. Manning: 503-986-1707; Sen.JamesManning@oregonlegislature.gov
Contact your own State Senator:
It’s also important to contact the State Senator who represents your district to urge him or her to vote YES on SB 723-2. Make sure to let your Senator know you’re his or her constituent.
Talking Points:
This legislation will prevent a small minority of the population from recklessly slaughtering our wild animals.
- 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.
- Killing contests damage the reputation of responsible hunters by violating fundamental hunting ethics. Countless animals are injured or orphaned during killing contests.The events put non-target species (including imperiled wolves) at risk. Participants use electronic calling devices, which mimic the sounds of prey or young in distress, to lure the target animals in for an easy kill.
- Recent polling of Oregon voters found that a solid majority support an end to coyote killing contests in the state.
- 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 with coyotes. 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, keep environments free of animal carcasses, and increase biodiversity.
- This bill is not a ban on hunting and does not impact other laws. Individuals will still be allowed to hunt coyotes according to state laws. SB 723-2 does not prohibit fishing tournaments, impact other species or prohibit fishing tournaments, or affect laws related to taking of predatory animals or the lethal control of specific, problem-causing coyotes.
Learn more about wildlife killing contests here, the scientific reasons behind why killing coyotes doesn’t solve problems here and here, and the National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests here.
Thank you for acting TODAY to protect Oregon’s coyotes!
For Wild Nature,
Camilla Fox |