We are at the final step in enacting a law that would ban coyote killing contests – barbaric events in which participants compete to kill the greatest number of coyotes for fun and prizes – in New Mexico. Earlier this week, thanks to your support, the New Mexico State Legislature passed SB 76. Now, Governor Lujan Grisham must sign the bill into law.
The bipartisan bill, introduced by Senator Mark Moores (R-Albuquerque) and Senator Jeff Steinborn (D-Dona Aña), would make it illegal to sponsor, organize or participate in coyote killing contests throughout New Mexico. At least 20 to 30 contests are held in the state every year.
Please act TODAY by contacting Gov. Lujan Grisham and urging her to sign SB 76 into law.
Email Gov. Lujan Grisham (you can submit your email here) and follow up with a brief phone call. Her number is (505) 476-2200. Ask her to sign SB 76 into law to ban cruel and ecologically indefensible coyote killing contests in New Mexico. Be sure to let her know the town and county you live in and any special affiliations or roles you serve in your community.
Talking Points:
This legislation will prevent a small minority of the population from recklessly slaughtering as part of a contest, derby or tournament.
- 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. The events put non-target species (including highly endangered Mexican gray 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. Countless animals are injured or orphaned during killing contests.
- Participants perpetuate myths to justify the killing. There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing coyotes reduces their populations, increases populations of game animals, or protects livestock.
- Killing contests are contrary to sound wildlife management. Randomly killing coyotes disrupts their pack structure which can increase their populations and increase conflicts with other animals and people. Preventing conflicts with the use of humane, non-lethal methods has proven to be 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.
- The bill still allows ranchers to kill specific, problem-causing coyotes, and does not prohibit the legal hunting of coyotes (which can be killed year-round and in unlimited numbers).
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 relegate this bloodsport to the history books, just like dogfighting and cockfighting!
For Wild Nature,
Camilla Fox |
Dave Parsons |
PLEASE SEE PROJECT COYOTE’S WILDLIFE KILLING CONTEST FACT SHEET FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Watch a 60-second trailer of Project Coyote’s documentary film, KILLING GAMES ~ Wildlife In The Crosshairs, here.
Thank you for showing your critical support for coyotes by joining Project Coyote and our coalition partners in our efforts to stop coyote killing contests in New Mexico.
Thank you for speaking up for wildlife!