We need your help TODAY to pass a bill that would prohibit wildlife killing contests in New Jersey. During these barbaric events, participants compete to kill the smallest, the largest, or the greatest number of wildlife for entertainment and prizes. Coyotes, foxes, squirrels, and raccoons are slaughtered during these events – such as the Family Squirrel Classic in Hammonton and the Annual Predator Hunt in Barnegat – in the Garden State.
S3541 and A5224 make it unlawful for any person to organize, sponsor, promote, conduct, or participate in a competitive event at which the participants harass or take wildlife (except fish, shellfish, mollusks, or crustaceans) for prizes or any kind of inducement or reward. This legislation would relegate this ethically and ecologically indefensible bloodsport to the history books, just like dogfighting and cockfighting.
Contact your Assemblymember and State Senator ~ Speak up for the voiceless animals who need your help.
Send a Message to Your Legislators:
Please visit the link below to find contact information for your assemblymember and state senator.
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/selectmun.asp
Select your municipality in the drop down menu and click “Find Representative(s).” On the next page, check the boxes for all your district representatives. On the next page, choose “Environment – Fish & Wildlife” for the subject of your electronic correspondence.
The message will be sent to all your legislators. You can simply say, “as your constituent, I urge you to vote YES on S3541 / A5224 to prohibit cruel and senseless wildlife killing contests in New Jersey.” Please consider personalizing your message for maximum impact. Talking points below.
Talking Points
This legislation will prevent a small minority of the population from recklessly slaughtering wild animals for entertainment and prizes.
- Killing contests are a bloodsport like dogfighting and cockfighting. Killing wild animals for thrills and prizes (including cash, guns and belt buckles)—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. 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.
- More than 70 prominent conservation scientists have signed a statement condemning wildlife killing contests on ecological and ethical grounds.
- New Mexico and Vermont banned coyote killing contests in 2019 and 2018, respectively. In 2014, California banned the awarding of prizes for killing nongame and furbearing species. Local governments in Arizona, New Mexico and Wisconsin have passed resolutions condemning wildlife killing contests.
- There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing coyotes—the most frequent victims of killing contests—reduces their numbers, 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.
- All wildlife species play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems. Coyotes, for example, reduce rabbit and rodent populations, keep environments free of animal carcasses, and increase biodiversity.
- This bill does not prohibit fishing contests and is not a ban on hunting. Individuals will still be allowed to hunt wildlife according to state laws. The legislation does not affect laws related to the taking of predatory animals or the lethal control of specific, problem-causing wildlife.
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 New Jersey’s wildlife!
For Wild Nature,
Katie Stennes
Programs & Communications Manager