We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new Project Coyote campaign, #CaptureCoexistence, which aims to leverage the power and influence of the nature photography industry by unifying our voices to call for an end to inhumane and ecologically destructive wildlife killing contests (WKCs)!

Most Americans are shocked to learn that each year tens of thousands of native species are killed in WKCs events where contestants win prizes and awards for killing the most or largest of a given species. These cruel and unsporting contests take place across the country, operate unsupervised by wildlife agencies, and often occur on our public lands.

As nature photographers and filmmakers, wildlife and wildlands are crucially important, not just for the health of our planet, but also for the value they bring to our lives, livelihoods, local economies, and the photography industry. Nature photography is a non-consumptive industry that brings significant economic benefits–especially when compared to slaughtered animals at WKCs, which are most often simply discarded.

We urge all nature photographers and filmmakers, from amateur to professional, to sign our petition and join our efforts to end these cruel and senseless contests nationwide. After signing our petition, head to our #CaptureCoexistence campaign webpage to learn more about how to get involved in our nationwide campaign to end wildlife killing contests.

• Learn how to become a #CaptureCoexistenceContributor and have your image(s) featured on Project Coyote’s social media pages. Help us amplify the value of non-consumptive wildlife recreation and counteract the degradation of our natural world through killing contests. 

  • All contributors must pledge that all photographs donated to the campaign comply with ethical photography standards (e.g., no baiting or game farm animal images). To learn more about how to ensure your photography is abiding by ethical photography standards, watch our Predator Photography webinar. 

• Use the hashtag #CaptureCoexistence with your best wildlife photography images on social media platforms to raise awareness about the atrocities of wildlife killing contests and why, as a nature photographer, you stand against this indefensible bloodsport.

• Are you a resident of New York, New Jersey, Nevada, or Illinois? Be sure to check your emails and social media for updates from Project Coyote on our current efforts to ban wildlife killing contests in these states.